Puiforcat Hermes 19th century antiqeue French sterling silver serving tureen
Direct from Paris: A stunning,
large 3pc. covered Louis XVI, antique 950 sterling silver vegetable server with
presentation platter by the world's premier French silversmith – Emile
Puiforcat. The illustrious history of French silversmithing finds one of its
most refined expressions in the work of Puiforcat, a maison whose creations
represent the pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship from the early 19th century
to the present day. Established in Paris in 1820 by Jean-Baptiste Fuchs, who
later adopted the name Puiforcat from his mother's family, the firm quickly
distinguished itself through its exceptional interpretations of Louis XVI style
silverware, particularly in the creation of magnificent serving tureens that
embodied the perfect synthesis of neoclassical aesthetics and technical
perfection. Their Puiforcat's unparalleled craftsmanship in 950 sterling silver
tureens, the royal and aristocratic patronage that elevated its status, the
prestigious awards that recognized its excellence, its significant association
with the luxury house Hermès, and the defining characteristics that made its
Louis XVI style serving pieces among the most coveted examples of French
silverwork are unparalleled in the world of decorative arts.
Focus on Quality:
The foundation of Puiforcat's supremacy in
tureen production lies in its uncompromising commitment to material quality and
stylistic purity. The firm's insistence on using 950 sterling silver, a higher
purity than the standard 925 sterling, resulted in pieces with a distinctive
luminosity and resonance that became hallmarks of Puiforcat's production. This
superior silver content, composed of 95% pure silver alloyed with 5% copper,
presented particular technical advantages for the creation of Louis XVI style
pieces, allowing for sharper definition of classical motifs and greater
durability in large serving vessels. The workshop's master craftsmen employed
traditional techniques including hand-raising, chasing, and planishing to
transform these precious sheets of metal into flawless neoclassical forms, with
a single tureen often requiring more than 200 hours of skilled labor to
complete. The process began with the careful formation of the oval body,
hammered into shape from a single sheet of silver to ensure perfect symmetry and
structural integrity, followed by the meticulous application of decorative
elements that characterized the Louis XVI style.
Puiforcat’s Louis XVI Style:
Puiforcat's interpretation of the Louis XVI aesthetic for its 19th century
tureens demonstrates both remarkable fidelity to 18th century prototypes and
subtle innovations that reflected evolving dining customs. The basic form
remained true to classical principles - oval bodies with straight or slightly
flared sides, delicately fluted surfaces, and restrained ornamentation drawn
from ancient Greek and Roman sources. However, Puiforcat introduced technical
refinements that enhanced functionality without compromising visual purity. The
firm developed a specialized hinge mechanism for the domed lids that allowed for
smooth, one-handed operation while maintaining an airtight seal to preserve food
temperature and aroma. The interiors were typically gilded using a mercury
process that created a durable gold surface, protecting delicate sauces from
direct contact with silver while creating a striking visual contrast when the
tureen was opened during service. This attention to both form and function
resulted in pieces that were as practical as they were beautiful, capable of
withstanding the rigors of daily use in aristocratic households while
maintaining their impeccable appearance.
Serving European Royalty:
Royal and aristocratic patronage played a
crucial role in establishing Puiforcat's reputation as a premier silversmith.
The firm's Louis XVI style tureens found particular favor among European
nobility who appreciated their perfect balance of classical restraint and
luxurious materials. King Louis-Philippe commissioned several important services
from Puiforcat, including a magnificent pair of tureens for the Tuileries Palace
that featured discreet fleur-de-lys motifs incorporated into their neoclassical
decoration. The Orléans family, known for their refined taste, became steady
patrons, as did numerous members of the Russian aristocracy who frequented Paris
during the 19th century. Tsar Nicholas I acquired a complete dining service that
included four monumental tureens, each decorated with different classical themes
representing the seasons. These royal commissions not only validated Puiforcat's
artistic merit but also served as powerful advertisements, attracting wealthy
clients from across Europe and America who sought to emulate aristocratic taste.
Awards & Accolades:
International exhibitions provided Puiforcat
with prestigious platforms to showcase its mastery of the Louis XVI style. The
Great Exhibition of 1851 in London featured a pair of tureens that demonstrated
the firm's exceptional skill in executing classical ornamentation with
machine-like precision while maintaining the warmth of hand craftsmanship. The
Paris Exposition Universelle of 1855 included tureens with innovative heat
retention features hidden within their elegant forms - copper liners that could
be preheated without affecting the exterior silver surfaces. These exhibitions
earned Puiforcat numerous medals and critical acclaim, with judges particularly
praising the purity of its designs and the perfection of its finishes. The
firm's success at these events translated into commercial triumph, with waiting
lists for commissioned pieces often stretching several years as discerning
clients sought to acquire Puiforcat's creations.
Association with Hermes: The
association between Puiforcat and the luxury house Hermès, which began in the
early 20th century and culminated in Hermès acquiring the brand in 1993,
represents a significant chapter in the firm's history. This partnership brought
Puiforcat's silversmithing tradition under the umbrella of one of France's most
prestigious luxury brands, ensuring the continuation of its craftsmanship while
introducing new technical and design innovations. Hermès maintained Puiforcat's
commitment to the Louis XVI style while incorporating modern functional
improvements, creating pieces that remained true to their historical roots while
meeting contemporary expectations. The collaboration resulted in limited edition
tureens that combined Puiforcat's silversmithing expertise with Hermès'
legendary attention to detail, creating objects that appealed to collectors of
both traditional silverware and modern design.
Puiforcat’s Louis XVI Tureens:
The construction of Puiforcat's Louis XVI style tureens reveals remarkable
technical sophistication beneath their elegant surfaces. The oval form, while
aesthetically pleasing, presented significant engineering challenges that
Puiforcat's craftsmen solved through innovative solutions. The long sides were
reinforced with internal ribs to prevent warping under the weight of contents,
while the short ends were carefully weighted to ensure balance when serving.
Handles, often shaped as classical foliate motifs or fluted loops, were
ergonomically designed to provide secure grip even when wearing formal gloves.
The domed lids required particular skill to create, with craftsmen carefully
calculating the curve to ensure perfect proportions and visual harmony with the
base. The most sophisticated examples included features like internal racks to
keep delicate foods separated or removable strainers for serving clear soups -
all seamlessly integrated into designs that maintained their classical purity.
Puiforcat's mastery of surface decoration set its Louis XVI style tureens apart
from competitors. While adhering to the restraint characteristic of the style,
the firm's craftsmen employed subtle textural variations to create visual
interest. Fluted surfaces might alternate between matte and polished finishes to
accentuate the play of light. Gilding was applied with precision to highlight
delicate beading or classical motifs like Greek keys and laurel wreaths. The
finials, often shaped as urns, pineapples (traditional symbols of hospitality),
or floral bouquets, were executed with botanical accuracy that reflected
Puiforcat's commitment to perfection in even the smallest details. This careful
balance of ornament and restraint resulted in pieces that commanded attention
through refinement rather than ostentation, perfectly embodying the Louis XVI
style's essential character.
Innovative Production
Methods:
The workshop methods that produced these
masterpieces reflected a tradition of craftsmanship that Puiforcat maintained
throughout its history. Each tureen was the product of numerous specialists -
silversmiths for forming the body, chasers for decorative work, gilders for
interior surfaces, and finishers who ensured perfect polish and assembly.
Apprenticeships lasted seven years, during which young craftsmen would learn
every aspect of their specialty before being allowed to work on production
pieces. Quality control was exacting, with each piece undergoing multiple
inspections at different stages of production. The firm maintained rigorous
standards for weight, balance, and finish, rejecting any piece that failed to
meet its criteria regardless of the labor already invested.
The Legacy of Puiforcat:
The cultural significance of Puiforcat's
Louis XVI style tureens extends beyond their material value. In 19th century
France, where political regimes rose and fell with regularity, these classically
inspired pieces represented continuity with an imagined golden age of French
taste and refinement. For aristocratic families, they served as tangible
connections to pre-Revolutionary traditions, while for the newly wealthy
bourgeoisie they represented an opportunity to align themselves with enduring
cultural values. The tureens frequently appeared in still-life paintings and
interior scenes of the period, testifying to their status as symbols of refined
living. Their presence on dining tables conveyed messages about the host's
taste, wealth, and cultural literacy - a form of social communication as potent
as it was subtle.
Today, Puiforcat's Louis XVI style tureens are prized by collectors and
institutions alike. Major museums including the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in
Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York include examples in their
collections, recognizing them as exemplars of French neoclassical design. The
market for these pieces remains strong, with well-preserved examples commanding
significant prices at auction. A pair of Puiforcat tureens from the collection
of the Duke of Westminster sold at Sotheby's in 2015 for over $250,000,
demonstrating the enduring appeal of these masterpieces of silversmithing. The
firm's association with Hermès has introduced its work to new generations of
collectors, ensuring that Puiforcat's legacy continues to evolve while remaining
rooted in its tradition of excellence.
Item Specifications:
This magnificent 4pc. covered vegetable
sever has been meticulously restored to "LIKE NEW" condition. The 4 pieces
together weight a massive 5,117 grams. The Platter measures approximately 45cm.
in length, is roughly 34cm. across at its widest point and weights 1,786 grams.
The covered tureen is approximately 19cm. high to the top of the lid, 34cm. in
length, 22cm. across at its widest point and weights 3,331 grams. Each piece in
the set, except for the removable insert which is silver plated, is stamped with
the French Government’s Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark, certifying a minimum of
950 sterling silver in addition to the Emile Puiforcat sterling silver
manufacturer's hallmark. The tureen and the platter are also stamped "Puiforcat
Paris" on the underside.
