Puiforcat (Hermes) - 4pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Covered Soup / Stew Tureen with Presentation Platter - LIKE NEW!

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.