Direct from Paris: A magnificent 170pc. 950 sterling silver original French art nouveau flatware set with 8 serving pieces by the world's premier French silversmith "Puiforcat" currently owned by Hermes, stunning luxury at an amazingly low price - circa early 1900s. The art of French silversmithing represents a centuries-old tradition of luxury, precision, and timeless elegance. Among the most distinguished names in this venerable craft stands Puiforcat, a Maison renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design, and royal patronage. Established in the early nineteenth century, Puiforcat has maintained an unwavering commitment to excellence, producing sterling silver flatware, tableware, and decorative objects that embody both artistic mastery and functional beauty.
The History and Legacy of Puiforcat: The origins of Puiforcat trace back to 1820, when master silversmith Jean-Baptiste Fuchs established his workshop in Paris. Fuchs was a consummate artisan who adhered to the exacting standards of French silversmithing, a tradition that demanded not only technical precision but also refined artistic sensibility. The Maison’s identity became firmly established when Fuchs' son-in-law, Émile Puiforcat, inherited the business and elevated its reputation to unprecedented heights. Émile Puiforcat emerged as more than just a silversmith; he was a true visionary who intuitively understood the evolving aesthetic sensibilities of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Under his inspired leadership, the Maison successfully transitioned from producing traditional silverware to embracing avant-garde movements, particularly Art Nouveau and later Art Deco. This remarkable ability to innovate while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship distinguished Puiforcat from its contemporaries and established its enduring reputation.
During the glorious Belle Époque period spanning the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, Puiforcat flourished as French decorative arts entered a golden age. The Maison’s work during this period was characterized by several defining features that set it apart. Each piece bore the mark of meticulous hand-hammered finishes, a technique that gave Puiforcat silverware its distinctive texture and depth compared to mass-produced alternatives. The Maison’s artisans employed exquisite chasing and engraving techniques, including the sophisticated repoussé method where designs were carefully hammered into relief from the reverse side, followed by precise chasing to refine the front details. These labor-intensive processes resulted in breathtakingly intricate, lifelike motifs that became Puiforcat's signature. While Puiforcat's early work remained firmly rooted in rococo and neoclassical traditions, the Maison demonstrated remarkable adaptability by later embracing the clean lines and bold symmetry of Art Deco, particularly under Émile Puiforcat's visionary guidance.
Royal Patronage and Aristocratic Clientele: Puiforcat's reputation for excellence quickly attracted the attention of Europe's most discerning elite. The Maison’s clientele included some of the most prominent figures of the nineteenth century, beginning with King Louis-Philippe of France, whose refined taste and appreciation for fine craftsmanship led him to commission ceremonial silverware from Puiforcat. This royal endorsement significantly enhanced the Maison’s prestige and visibility. Napoleon III followed suit, making Puiforcat silver services a staple at imperial banquets and state functions. Beyond French royalty, Puiforcat's creations became essential status symbols among the broader European aristocracy, finding homes in the collections of Russian nobles and British high society alike. The Maison’s ability to cater to royal tastes extended beyond mere prestige; it reflected a profound understanding of both ceremonial grandeur and functional design. Puiforcat's pieces were never merely decorative objects - each item was carefully engineered to enhance the dining experience. The ergonomic handles and perfectly balanced weights of their flatware demonstrated how Puiforcat harmonized aesthetic beauty with practical utility, creating pieces that were as delightful to use as they were to behold.
Émile Puiforcat played a particularly transformative role in elevating the Maison’s standing during the early twentieth century. His visionary approach included collaborations with leading artists and architects of the period, most notably Jean-Michel Frank, the influential Art Deco designer. These creative partnerships ensured that Puiforcat's designs remained at the cutting edge of contemporary aesthetics. While many traditional silversmiths clung to conventional styles, Émile boldly embraced geometric abstraction, creating pieces that functioned simultaneously as tableware and sculptural art. His leadership earned Puiforcat international acclaim through awards at world expositions, cementing the Maison’s reputation as an innovator in luxury silverware. Émile's legacy proved so enduring that even after his death in 1945, Puiforcat continued to be synonymous with innovation and exclusivity in the world of fine silver.
Awards and Accolades: Throughout its distinguished history, Puiforcat's commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, each reinforcing its status as a master of French silversmithing. The Maison’s participation in world expositions yielded particularly significant honors, beginning with gold medals at the Paris Exposition Universelle in both 1889 and 1900. These monumental exhibitions represented the pinnacle of industrial and artistic achievement in the nineteenth century, making Puiforcat's gold medals a powerful testament to its technical mastery and artistic vision.
The Maison’s international reputation continued to grow through subsequent exhibitions in major European cultural capitals. At international exhibitions in Brussels, Barcelona, and Milan, Puiforcat demonstrated its remarkable ability to adapt to regional aesthetic preferences while maintaining its distinctive French elegance. This versatility, combined with uncompromising quality, earned the Maison consistent acclaim across diverse markets and cultures. In the modern era, Puiforcat's contributions to artisanal traditions have received official recognition through France's Living Heritage Company (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, or EPV) designation. This prestigious distinction, awarded by the French government, honors enterprises that preserve and advance traditional artisanal skills. Puiforcat's inclusion in this select group underscores its ongoing dedication to handcrafted excellence in an increasingly industrialized world.
The artistic significance of Puiforcat's work has been further validated through exhibitions at some of the world's most respected cultural institutions. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art have both showcased Puiforcat pieces, placing them in dialogue with other masterworks of decorative arts. These exhibitions not only celebrate Puiforcat's historical contributions but also affirm its continuing relevance in the narrative of fine craftsmanship.
Association with Hermès - A Synergy of Luxury: The 1993 acquisition of Puiforcat by the Hermès luxury group marked a significant chapter in the Maison’s history, ensuring both the preservation and thoughtful evolution of its legacy. This strategic partnership brought together two French institutions united by their commitment to artisanal excellence and timeless design. Hermès demonstrated profound respect for Puiforcat's heritage, carefully maintaining the traditional techniques that had defined the silversmith's work for generations. Under Hermès' stewardship, Puiforcat continued to employ the same handmade techniques that had earned its reputation, including the exacting lost-wax casting process and meticulous hand engraving. The Maison maintained its uncompromising standards regarding materials, continuing to use 950-silver despite industry trends toward lower purity alloys. This commitment to quality ensured that every piece bearing the Puiforcat name remained worthy of its illustrious history.
Hermès' global retail network provided Puiforcat with unprecedented access to international markets, introducing the silversmith's creations to new generations of collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. While honoring tradition, Hermès also encouraged thoughtful innovation, supporting new designs that respected Puiforcat's heritage while ensuring its relevance in contemporary luxury. This balanced approach has allowed Puiforcat to maintain its position at the forefront of fine silverware while staying true to its artisanal roots.
Puiforcat's 950 Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Flatware Sets: Among Puiforcat's most celebrated achievements are its extraordinary 950 sterling silver Art Nouveau flatware sets, which perfectly encapsulate the Maison’s artistic and technical brilliance. The decision to use 950-silver, containing 95% pure silver rather than the standard 92.5%, resulted in pieces with a richer luster and greater durability than conventional sterling silver. This higher purity not only enhanced the visual appeal of each piece but also ensured that Puiforcat flatware could be treasured as functional heirlooms for generations. The Art Nouveau flatware sets represent Puiforcat's mastery of organic design during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These exquisite pieces feature flowing, naturalistic motifs inspired by vines, flowers, and other botanical forms, all rendered with astonishing precision and fluidity. The meticulous hand-engraving techniques employed by Puiforcat's artisans ensured that no two pieces were exactly alike, with each bearing subtle variations that testified to their handmade origins.
Particularly notable among these collections is the "Orfèvrerie" series, a masterpiece of botanical elegance that perfectly captures the essence of Art Nouveau design philosophy. Another celebrated example, the "Fleur de Lys" pattern, beautifully synthesizes royal heraldic traditions with the sinuous lines characteristic of Art Nouveau. These designs demonstrate Puiforcat's ability to honor tradition while embracing innovative aesthetic movements. The creation of each flatware piece involved numerous specialized techniques perfected over generations. Master craftsmen employed traditional hand-forging methods to achieve perfect balance and proportion in every item. The final mirror polishing process gave each piece its characteristic luminous finish, transforming functional objects into works of art. This painstaking attention to detail explains why Puiforcat's Art Nouveau flatware remains highly sought after by collectors today, with exceptional examples commanding premium prices in the international marketplace.
The Enduring Legacy of Puiforcat: Puiforcat stands as a timeless symbol of French luxury and artisanal excellence, its history representing a perfect marriage of tradition and innovation. From its early royal patronage to its current stewardship under the Hermès group, the Maison has maintained an unwavering commitment to quality that transcends fleeting trends. The magnificent Art Nouveau flatware sets exemplify Puiforcat's artistic and technical mastery, showcasing how functional objects can achieve the status of fine art. In an era increasingly dominated by mass production and disposable goods, Puiforcat's legacy serves as a powerful testament to the enduring value of true craftsmanship. Each piece that emerges from its workshops carries forward centuries of knowledge and skill, ensuring that the art of French silversmithing continues to shine brightly in the modern world. As both a guardian of tradition and a beacon of innovation, Puiforcat's influence will undoubtedly continue to inspire appreciation for generations to come, securing its place among the most revered names in the history of decorative arts.
Set Composition: This magnificent 170-piece flatware set in a stunning example of the quality and craftsmanship for which the firm is internationally known. Each of the sterling silver and vermeil pieces contains the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark as well and the Puiforcat sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The Mother-of-Pearl handled luncheon knives and dessert knives with gold plated (vermeil) blades also bears the French Government's Minerva 1 hallmark in addition to the "B.E." manufacturer's sterling silver hallmark. This amazing set is a stunning example of the luxury and elegance of 19th century France and is of exceptional quality and workmanship (check the weights and measures below) and is in excellent condition. It includes the following - all weights and measures approximate:
18 Dinner Knives 24.50 cm. 81 grams
18 Dinner Forks 21.20 cm. 89 grams
9 Tablespoons 21.50 cm. 86 grams
18 Luncheon Knives - Stainless Steel Blades 20.20 cm. 45 grams
27 Luncheon / Dessert Forks 18.50 cm. 51 grams
18 Luncheon / Dessert Spoons 18.70 cm. 55 grams
18 Dessert Knives - Sterling Silver Blades 20.20 cm. 52 grams
18 Dessert Knives - Mother of Pearl Handles & Vermeil Blades 20.20 cm. 37 grams
18 Teaspoons 13.70 cm. 24 grams
1 Fish Serving Fork 24.00 cm. 117 grams
1 Fish Serving Knife 28.50 cm. 128 grams
1 Cake / Pie Serving Knife 28.00 cm. 112 grams
1 Custard / Dessert Serving Scoop with Vermeil Bowl 23.00 cm. 101 grams
1 Berry Serving Dessert Spoon with Vermeil Bowl 20.70 cm. 69 grams
1 Cheese Serving Knife 20.00 cm. 52 grams
1 Ice Cream Scoop with Vermeil Bowl 25.50 cm. 103 grams
1 Pair of Sugar Tongs 12.80 cm. 48 grams
