Puiforcat / Hermes - Antique 5pc. French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set, Louis XVI + Serving Tray & Stoerage Wraps, 1890s

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.