Puiforcat Hermes antique French 950 sterling silver Louis XVI Tea Set
Direct from Paris:
A magnificent 5pc., 19th century original French 950 sterling silver tea &
coffee set by two of the world's premier French silversmiths the "House of
Puiforcat", currently owned by Hermes, and Tetard freres in "near new" condition
circa late 1890s. The annals of French decorative arts reserve a place of
particular distinction for the House of Puiforcat, a name synonymous with the
highest standards of silversmithing excellence from the early 19th century
through the modern era. Among their most celebrated creations, the Louis XVI
model tea sets crafted in 950 sterling silver represent the perfect synthesis of
neoclassical aesthetics and technical mastery. These exquisite ensembles,
comprising teapots, sugar bowls, creamers, and often accompanying trays,
embodied the refined taste of French aristocracy while demonstrating innovations
that would influence silver design for generations. This magnificent 5pc. set is
a testament to Puiforcat's unparalleled craftsmanship in these tea services, the
royal patronage that elevated their status, the prestigious awards recognizing
their excellence, their significant association with Hermès, and the defining
characteristics that established these pieces as benchmarks of luxury tableware.
Focus on Quality:
The foundation of Puiforcat's supremacy in tea service production lies in
its uncompromising approach to materials and technique. The firm's insistence on
using 950 sterling silver, containing 95% pure silver rather than the standard
925 alloy, resulted in pieces with exceptional luminosity and resonance that
became hallmarks of Puiforcat production. This superior silver content presented
particular advantages for tea service components, allowing for thinner walls in
pots and bowls while maintaining structural integrity, and producing a warmer,
more mellow tone when struck - a quality particularly appreciated in the
handling of silver tea utensils. Master craftsmen employed traditional
techniques including hand-raising, planishing, and chasing to transform sheets
of this precious metal into flawless neoclassical forms, with a single teapot
often requiring more than 100 hours of skilled labor to complete. The process
began with the careful formation of the body, hammered into shape from a single
sheet of silver to ensure perfect symmetry, followed by the meticulous
attachment of spouts and handles that were cast separately for optimal strength
and proportion.
Puiforcat’s Louis XVI
Style:
Puiforcat's interpretation of the Louis XVI style for tea services
demonstrates both remarkable fidelity to 18th century prototypes and subtle
innovations that reflected evolving social customs. The basic forms remained
true to classical principles - oval or circular bodies with straight or slightly
flared sides, delicately fluted surfaces, and restrained ornamentation drawn
from Greco-Roman sources. However, Puiforcat introduced technical refinements
that enhanced functionality without compromising visual purity. The firm
developed specialized pouring spouts that created a smooth, drip-free flow - a
critical feature for the precise tea ceremonies of aristocratic households. Lid
mechanisms were engineered to fit with exacting precision, often incorporating
discreet springs or counterweights to ensure secure closure while allowing easy
one-handed operation. The interiors of teapots and sugar bowls were typically
gilded using a mercury process that created a durable gold surface, preventing
chemical reactions between silver and acidic tea compounds while adding a
luxurious visual contrast when the pieces were in use.
Serving European
Royalty:
Royal and aristocratic patronage played a crucial role in establishing
Puiforcat's reputation as a premier silversmith of tea services. King
Louis-Philippe commissioned several important sets from Puiforcat, including a
magnificent service for the Tuileries Palace that featured discreet fleur-de-lys
motifs incorporated into its neoclassical decoration. The Orléans family became
devoted patrons, as did numerous members of the Russian aristocracy who
maintained residences in Paris. Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia
acquired an elaborate Louis XVI style tea service that included not only the
standard components but also a matching samovar and tea caddy set, all decorated
with imperial eagles adapted to the neoclassical style. These royal commissions
served as powerful endorsements, attracting wealthy clients from across Europe
and America who sought to emulate aristocratic taste. The firm's guest books
from the 1860s reveal visits from Rothschild bankers, Vanderbilt heirs, and
other scions of international finance, all drawn to Puiforcat's reputation for
creating the finest tea services in Paris.
Awards & Accolades:
International exhibitions provided Puiforcat with prestigious platforms
to showcase its Louis XVI model tea services. The Great Exhibition of 1851 in
London featured a complete tea set that demonstrated the firm's mastery of
classical proportion and surface treatment, winning praise for the perfection of
its fluted surfaces and the elegance of its silhouettes. The Paris Exposition
Universelle of 1867 included a revolutionary tea service with heat-retaining
properties - special double-walled construction in the teapot and insulated
handles that kept tea at optimal temperature without external warmers. These
innovations earned Puiforcat a gold medal and cemented its reputation as both
guardian of tradition and pioneer of technical advancement. The firm's
exhibition successes translated into commercial triumph, with waiting lists for
commissioned tea services 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 of tea service
production. This partnership brought Puiforcat's silversmithing tradition under
the umbrella of one of France's most prestigious luxury brands while maintaining
its distinctive aesthetic. Hermès respected Puiforcat's classical heritage while
introducing subtle refinements to the Louis XVI model - improving weight
distribution in teapot handles, refining pouring angles, and developing new
polishing techniques that enhanced the silver's natural luster. The
collaboration resulted in limited edition tea services that combined Puiforcat's
historical designs with Hermès' legendary attention to functional detail,
creating objects that appealed equally to traditional silver collectors and
contemporary design enthusiasts.
Puiforcat’s Louis XVI
Tea Sets:
The construction of Puiforcat's Louis XVI tea services reveals remarkable
technical sophistication beneath their elegant surfaces. Teapot bodies were
formed using a combination of raising and spinning techniques to achieve perfect
wall thickness - substantial enough to convey quality but thin enough to remain
lightweight in use. Spouts were carefully engineered with internal baffles to
control flow rate and prevent dripping, while handles were weighted to
counterbalance full pots. Sugar bowls and creamers featured precision-fitted
lids that created airtight seals to preserve contents, with discreet thumb rests
for easy opening. The most elaborate services included matching trays with
raised borders that prevented sliding of pieces, their surfaces often decorated
with engraved motifs that complemented the service's overall design theme.
Puiforcat's mastery of
surface decoration set its Louis XVI tea services 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 catch the light
differently as pieces were handled during tea service. Gilding was applied with
precision to highlight delicate beading or classical motifs like Greek keys and
laurel wreaths. Finials, often shaped as urns 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 services that commanded attention through refinement rather than
ostentation, perfectly embodying the Louis XVI style's essential character while
meeting the practical demands of daily use.
Innovative Production
Methods: The
workshop methods that produced these masterpieces reflected a tradition of
craftsmanship that Puiforcat maintained throughout its history. Each tea service
component was the product of numerous specialists - silversmiths for forming
bodies, spout makers, handle casters, 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. Tea services were tested for
balance when filled, pouring performance, and heat retention properties, with
any piece failing to meet standards being melted down regardless of the labor
invested.
The Puiforcat Legacy:
The cultural significance of Puiforcat's Louis XVI tea services extends
beyond their material value. In 19th century France, the tea ceremony
represented an important social ritual, particularly among aristocratic and
upper-class women who presided over afternoon gatherings. A Puiforcat service on
the tea table conveyed messages about the hostess's taste, wealth, and cultural
sophistication - the neoclassical styling suggesting erudition and refinement,
the flawless craftsmanship indicating discernment and access to Paris's finest
artisans. These services frequently appear in paintings and literature of the
period as symbols of cultivated domesticity, their gleaming surfaces reflecting
both candlelight and social aspirations. For émigré clients in Russia, America,
and South America, possession of a Puiforcat tea service served as a tangible
connection to French culture and a marker of cosmopolitan identity.
Today, Puiforcat's Louis
XVI model tea services 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 services
remains strong, with complete, well-preserved sets commanding significant prices
at auction. A Puiforcat Louis XVI tea service from the collection of Princess
Mathilde Bonaparte sold at Christie's in 2017 for over $180,000, demonstrating
the enduring appeal of these masterpieces. 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.
Set Composition:
Privately commissioned, each piece in this magnificent set has been
meticulously crafted by hand to the highest of international standards.
Unparalleled French 19th century elegance and quality traditionally
reserved for the world's elite and there are no monograms on any of the pieces.
The magnificent teapot measures roughly 19.50 cm. high to the top of the
lid, approximately 24.50 cm. across from the tip of the spout to the end of the
handle, and weights 613 grams. It is stamped with the French Government's Head
of the Minerva 1 Hallmark (certifying a minimum of 950 silver) as well as the
"Puiforcat" sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The House of Puiforcat is
currently owned by Hermes and is located at 48 Avenue Gabriel in the 8th
arrondissment in Paris. Each piece comes with its own anti-tarnish storage wrap
for easy storage. The amazing Coffee Pot measures roughly 24.00 cm. high to the
top of the lid, approximately 19.00 cm. across from the tip of the spout to the
end of the handle and weights a massive 742 grams. It is also stamped with the
French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark as well as the "Puiforcat"
sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The elegant sugar bowl measures roughly
14.50 cm. high to the top of the lid, approximately 14.50 cm. across to the tips
of the handles and weights 451 grams. It is also stamped with the French
Government's Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark as well as the "Puiforcat" sterling
silver manufacturer's hallmark. The elegant cream pitcher measures approximately
13.00 cm. high to the top of the handle, roughly 12.50 cm. across from the tip
of the spout to the end of the handle and weights 229 grams. It is also stamped
with the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark as well as the
"Puiforcat" sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The accompanying sterling
silver serving tray is made by Tetard Freres. It measures approximately 64.00
cm. in length to the tips of its handles, roughly 39.50 cm. across at its widest
point and weights and astounding 2.7+ kilograms. It is also stamped with the
French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark as well as the "Tetard Freres"
sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark.
