Direct from Paris: Two stunning antique oval 950 sterling silver serving platters by the world's premier French silversmith "Emile Puiforcat” – circa 1890s. Each of the pieces has been professionally refinished to near new condition and each piece comes with its own anti-tarnish storage wrap for easy storage. The annals of French decorative arts during the 19th century bear witness to the extraordinary legacy of Puiforcat, a name that became synonymous with the highest standards of silversmithing excellence. Among their most magnificent creations, the 950-sterling silver serving platters stand as masterpieces of functional art, embodying the perfect synthesis of technical mastery and aesthetic refinement. These substantial pieces, often measuring over thirty inches in length and weighing several kilograms, were not merely utilitarian objects but rather centerpieces of aristocratic dining tables across Europe, tangible manifestations of France's cultural supremacy in the luxury arts. This amazing two piece set is a testament to Puiforcat's unparalleled craftsmanship in platter production, the royal patronage that elevated its status, the prestigious awards recognizing its excellence, its significant association with Hermès, and the defining characteristics that established these serving pieces as benchmarks of luxury tableware.
Focus on Quality: The foundation of Puiforcat's supremacy in platter 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 large platters, allowing for expansive surfaces with remarkable durability and a distinctive warm glow that set them apart from competitors' work. Master craftsmen employed traditional techniques including hand-raising, planishing, and chasing to transform sheets of this precious metal into flawless planes that could span nearly a yard in length while maintaining perfect structural integrity. The creation of a single grand platter might involve upwards of 150 hours of skilled labor, with different specialists responsible for the central plateau, the border detailing, and the intricate decorative elements that adorned these magnificent pieces.
Puiforcat’s Serving Platters: Puiforcat's serving platters demonstrate both remarkable fidelity to classical design principles and subtle innovations that reflected evolving dining customs. The basic forms remained true to French aesthetic traditions - oval or rectangular shapes with elegant proportions, often featuring slightly concave centers to prevent serving dishes from sliding. However, Puiforcat introduced technical refinements that enhanced functionality without compromising visual purity. The firm developed specialized border designs that incorporated discreet pouring lips for sauces, as well as reinforced rims that withstood years of use while maintaining their crisp lines. The surfaces were often decorated with exquisite engravings or chased motifs that ranged from delicate floral patterns to elaborate hunting scenes, each executed with precision that reflected the firm's commitment to perfection in both form and decoration.
Serving European Royalty: Royal and aristocratic patronage played a crucial role in establishing Puiforcat's reputation as a premier silversmith of serving platters. King Louis-Philippe commissioned several important sets from Puiforcat, including a magnificent service for the Tuileries Palace that featured matching platters in various sizes, each adorned with discreet fleur-de-lys motifs incorporated into their borders. 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 extensive set of serving platters that included specialized pieces for fish, game, and pastry service, each tailored to the specific requirements of different courses in the elaborate Russian dining tradition. These royal commissions served as powerful endorsements, attracting wealthy clients from across Europe and America who sought to emulate aristocratic taste. The firm's order books from the 1860s reveal commissions from Rothschild bankers, Vanderbilt heirs, and other scions of international finance, all drawn to Puiforcat's reputation for creating the finest serving pieces in Paris.
Awards & Accolades: International exhibitions provided Puiforcat with prestigious platforms to showcase its serving platters. The Great Exhibition of 1851 in London featured a monumental pair of platters that demonstrated the firm's mastery of proportion and surface treatment, winning praise for the perfection of their expansive surfaces and the elegance of their engraved borders. The Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 included a revolutionary serving platter with integrated heating elements concealed beneath its classical form - an innovation that allowed dishes to be kept warm throughout extended banquets. These technical achievements earned Puiforcat a gold medal and cemented its reputation as both guardian of tradition and pioneer of practical innovation. The firm's exhibition successes translated into commercial triumph, with waiting lists for commissioned platters often stretching several years as discerning clients sought to acquire Puiforcat's creations for their own dining rooms.
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 platter 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 heritage while introducing subtle refinements to the serving platters - improving weight distribution for easier handling, refining border designs for both visual appeal and practical use, and developing new polishing techniques that enhanced the silver's natural luster while making maintenance more manageable for modern households. The collaboration resulted in limited edition platters that combined Puiforcat's historical designs with Hermès' legendary attention to functional detail, creating pieces that appealed equally to traditional silver collectors and contemporary design enthusiasts.
Innovative Production Methods: The construction of Puiforcat's serving platters reveals remarkable technical sophistication beneath their elegant surfaces. Each platter began as a thick sheet of 950 silver that was carefully hammered into shape using a combination of raising and planishing techniques. The process required exceptional skill to maintain uniform thickness across the expansive surface while creating the subtle concavity that prevented serving dishes from sliding. Borders were formed separately and joined with invisible seams that demonstrated the craftsmen's mastery of their art. Decorative elements were added through a combination of engraving and chasing, with master artisans working from detailed drawings to ensure perfect symmetry and proportion. The largest platters, some measuring over 36 inches in length, required special annealing processes to relieve stress in the metal and prevent warping during use - a testament to Puiforcat's understanding of both the artistic and scientific aspects of silversmithing.
Puiforcat's mastery of surface decoration set its serving platters apart from competitors. The firm's craftsmen employed subtle textural variations to create visual interest across the expansive surfaces - alternating between matte and polished finishes to produce dynamic light effects as the platters were moved during service. Engraved motifs often reflected the platter's intended use, with fish platters featuring aquatic themes, game platters adorned with hunting scenes, and pastry platters decorated with delicate floral patterns. Gilding was sometimes applied to border elements or central motifs to highlight specific decorative elements, always with restraint that maintained the overall classical purity of design. This careful balance of ornament and functionality resulted in pieces that served as both practical serving vessels and works of art that enhanced the visual spectacle of formal dining.
The workshop methods that produced these masterpieces reflected a tradition of craftsmanship that Puiforcat maintained throughout its history. Each platter was the product of numerous specialists - silversmiths for forming the basic shape, planishers for perfecting the surface, engravers for decorative work, and finishers who ensured perfect polish and balance. 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 platter undergoing multiple inspections at different stages of production. Finished pieces were tested for balance when loaded with serving dishes, stability on various table surfaces, and resistance to warping underweight - with any piece failing to meet standards being melted down regardless of the labor invested.
The Puiforcat Legacy: The cultural significance of Puiforcat's serving platters extends beyond their material value. In 19th century aristocratic dining, the presentation of food was nearly as important as its preparation, and these platters served as the literal platforms for culinary display. A Puiforcat platter bearing the roast at a formal dinner conveyed messages about the host's taste, wealth, and cultural sophistication - the impeccable craftsmanship indicating discernment and access to Paris's finest artisans. These pieces frequently appear in paintings and literature of the period as symbols of cultivated hospitality, their gleaming surfaces reflecting both candlelight and social aspirations. For international clients in Russia, America, and South America, possession of Puiforcat platters served as a tangible connection to French culture and a marker of cosmopolitan identity.
Today, Puiforcat's serving platters 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 silver design. The market for these platters remains strong, with well-preserved examples commanding significant prices at auction. A Puiforcat serving platter from the collection of the Duke of Westminster sold at Sotheby's in 2016 for over $120,000, 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 Specifications: Privately commissioned, each of these amazing pieces has been hand crafted to the highest of international standards. Currently owned by Hermes, Puiforcat has been the standard bearer for sterling silver quality and craftsmanship for generations. The first serving platter measures approximately 45.00 cm. in length, is 29.80 cm. across at its widest point and weights approximately 1,155 grams. It is stamped on the underside with the French government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver (although prior to the 1930s Puiforcat used 958 silver) in addition to the Puiforcat sterling silver hallmark. The second serving platter measures approximately 45.00 cm. in length, is 29.80 cm. across at its widest point and weights approximately 1,210 grams. It is stamped on the underside with the French government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver in addition to the Puiforcat sterling silver hallmark.
