Boulenger antique French art deco sterling silver flatware set
Direct from Paris:
A magnificent original antique French Art
Deco sterling silver flatware set by Frances premier art deco silversmith “Adolphe
Boulenger” with accompanying knife blade rests and with dessert and cheese
knives with ebony handles and sterling silver blades – a total of 126 pieces.
The annals of French decorative arts would be incomplete without
acknowledging the monumental contributions of the House of Boulenger, a
silversmith firm that epitomized the pinnacle of craftsmanship and design
innovation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Operating at a time
when European aristocracy and burgeoning industrial elites demanded both
opulence and modernity in their tableware, Boulenger emerged as a
standard-bearer of excellence in silver production. Their work represents a
fascinating intersection of traditional techniques and avant-garde aesthetics,
particularly within the context of the Art Deco movement that swept through
Europe between the World Wars.
The Evolution of Boulenger:
The foundations of Boulenger's success were
laid during France's Belle Époque, a period characterized by peace, prosperity,
and flourishing arts. Established in the late 19th century, the firm benefited
from Paris's position as the global epicenter of luxury goods production. Unlike
many contemporary silversmiths who increasingly turned to mechanized production
methods, Boulenger maintained a steadfast commitment to artisanal techniques
while selectively incorporating technological advancements that enhanced rather
than compromised quality. The
Boulenger workshop operated as a traditional atelier system, where master
craftsmen oversaw specialized teams of chasers, engravers, and polishers. Each
piece underwent an exhaustive creation process that might involve up to thirty
distinct stages of fabrication. Of particular note was their mastery of the
repoussé technique, where silver sheets were painstakingly hammered from the
reverse side to create intricate bas-relief designs. This demanding method,
requiring exceptional skill and patience, resulted in pieces with extraordinary
depth and dimensionality that machine-stamping could never replicate.
The Focus on Quality:
The firm's production encompassed an
extraordinary range of objects - from elaborate centerpieces and tea services to
more utilitarian items like flatware and candlesticks. Regardless of category,
each Boulenger piece displayed certain signature characteristics: flawless
weight distribution, seamless joins invisible to the naked eye, and surfaces
that caught light with particular brilliance due to their specialized polishing
techniques. These qualities did not emerge by accident but resulted from
institutionalized quality control measures that saw pieces rejected for
imperfections that other firms would have deemed acceptable.
Boulenger and Art Deco: As the Art
Deco movement gained momentum following the 1925 Exposition Internationale des
Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, Boulenger found itself at the
forefront of translating this bold new aesthetic into silverware design. The
firm's designers demonstrated remarkable versatility in adapting Deco principles
to functional objects, creating pieces that were simultaneously radical in form
and perfectly suited to their intended use. Boulenger's Art Deco silverware
exhibited several defining characteristics. Geometric patterning appeared in the
form of stepped, concentric rectangles on handles, echoing the ziggurat motifs
found in contemporary architecture. Symmetrical, angular designs replaced the
flowing organic forms of earlier Art Nouveau influences. Perhaps most
strikingly, Boulenger pioneered the use of negative space in flatware design,
with perforated handles and openwork accents that created visual lightness
without sacrificing structural integrity.
The firm's 1928 "Moderne" flatware pattern serves as a quintessential example of
their Art Deco innovation. Each piece featured a dramatic triangular transition
between handle and functional end, with precisely calculated angles that
provided both visual dynamism and ergonomic comfort. The handles bore vertical
striations that caught the light differently depending on viewing angle,
creating a shimmering effect across a fully set table. This pattern, while
undeniably modern, avoided the cold austerity of some competing designs through
subtle curvatures at stress points and carefully weighted balances that made the
utensils a pleasure to use.
International Acclaim:
Boulenger's preeminence in the field received
official recognition through an impressive array of international awards and
honors. The firm's exhibition strategy focused on quality over quantity,
presenting carefully curated selections at world's fairs where their pieces
could be appreciated as both decorative arts and technical achievements.
Their breakthrough came at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris,
where Boulenger received a Grand Prix for a monumental silver centerpiece
featuring repoussé scenes from Greek mythology. The judging committee
particularly praised the piece's harmonious proportions and the virtuosic
handling of different texturing techniques within a single work. This triumph
established Boulenger as a firm capable of competing with historic giants like
Christofle and Odiot.
Subsequent successes included gold medals at the 1910 Brussels International
Exposition for a series of Renaissance-revival chalices, and at the 1925 Art
Deco exhibition for their modernist cocktail shakers with integrated strainers.
The latter award proved particularly significant as it affirmed Boulenger's
ability to excel in both traditional and avant-garde styles simultaneously.
Perhaps the most prestigious recognition came in 1937, when Boulenger
received the Diplôme d'Honneur at the Paris International Exhibition for their
"Contemporary Dining Suite," a complete table setting that included flatware,
serving pieces, and decorative elements unified by a bold geometric aesthetic.
The award citation highlighted Boulenger's "perfect marriage of French artisanal
tradition with the spirit of modern design," a characterization that neatly
encapsulated the firm's philosophy.
These accolades translated directly into commercial success, with Boulenger
pieces becoming status symbols among international elites. The firm's showrooms
in Paris, London, and New York maintained waiting lists for special commissions,
and their exhibition pieces often sold immediately after judging concluded. This
recognition also afforded Boulenger access to the most skilled craftsmen, as
apprentices coveted positions in the award-winning workshop.
Royal Patronage:
Boulenger's reputation for excellence
naturally attracted the attention of Europe's most discerning patrons. The firm
enjoyed particularly close relationships with several royal houses, including
the French Orléans pretenders and the Belgian royal family. This aristocratic
patronage followed established patterns of French luxury production, where royal
endorsement served as the ultimate seal of quality.
A surviving 1903 commission book reveals that Prince Philippe, Duke of
Orléans, ordered an extensive hunting service comprising over 120 individual
pieces, each decorated with his personal crest and intricate scenes of woodland
game. The service required eighteen months to complete and employed seven master
craftsmen exclusively. Such commissions provided Boulenger with both financial
stability and priceless prestige, as royal usage effectively certified the
firm's standing to other wealthy clients.
Beyond traditional nobility, Boulenger cultivated relationships with the new
aristocracy of industry and finance. The American Vanderbilt family acquired
multiple Boulenger services during their European tours, while the Rothschild
banking dynasty maintained standing orders for ceremonial presentation pieces.
These clients valued Boulenger's ability to discreetly incorporate personal
symbolism into designs - monograms hidden in geometric patterns, or family
mottos engraved along knife blades in nearly microscopic script.
The firm's royal connections peaked in 1927 with the creation of the "Jubilee
Service" for King George V of England, marking his silver jubilee. While
primarily an English firm produced the majority of the service, Boulenger was
specially commissioned to create the dessert components due to their reputation
for exquisite sugar work and delicate fruit knives. This international
collaboration at the highest level testified to Boulenger's unmatched standing
in certain technical specialties.
Boulenger’s Art Deco Sterling Flatware:
Among Boulenger's diverse production, their
Art Deco-era flatware sets in 950 sterling silver represent the apotheosis of
their design philosophy and technical mastery. These sets embodied the firm's
ability to reconcile aesthetic innovation with practical functionality in
everyday objects. The "Eclipse"
pattern (1929) exemplifies Boulenger's approach. Each piece featured a handle
with a graduated sunburst pattern radiating from the connection point,
symbolizing the solar eclipse that had recently captivated Europe. The design
required unprecedented precision in die-striking to maintain crisp definition
across the complex radial lines. Boulenger achieved this through custom-made
hardened steel dies and a two-stage striking process that prevented metal
fatigue. The resulting pieces had a visual dynamism that changed depending on
viewing angle, with light playing across the concentric grooves in mesmerizing
patterns.
Boulenger's flatware sets were notable for their comprehensive scope. A typical
service might include up to 140 distinct pieces, ranging from standard dinner
forks to specialized items like caviar spades and citrus sectioners. Each
maintained perfect stylistic continuity while being ergonomically optimized for
its specific function. The firm's oyster forks, for instance, had slightly
concave tines to cradle shellfish more securely, while their fish knives
incorporated a subtle curvature that followed the natural motion of separating
flesh from bone.
The manufacturing process for these sets reflected Boulenger's exacting
standards. Silver ingots were hand-poured and rolled to precise thicknesses,
with each blank individually inspected for crystalline consistency. Stamping
occurred in hydraulic presses adjusted to specific tonnages for different pieces
- greater pressure for sturdy soup spoons, lighter touches for delicate butter
spreaders. After forming, pieces underwent hand-finishing where craftsmen
perfected joins and smoothed edges using traditional burnishing stones.
Boulenger’s Legacy:
The legacy of Boulenger endures as a
testament to the heights achievable when uncompromising craftsmanship intersects
with visionary design. From their early mastery of traditional techniques to
their leadership in Art Deco innovation, the firm consistently demonstrated an
ability to evolve while maintaining core values of quality and excellence. Their
numerous awards and royal commissions validated their technical prowess, while
their flatware sets redefined what utilitarian objects could aspire to be
aesthetically.
In an era increasingly dominated by mass production and disposable goods,
Boulenger's works remind us of the enduring value of objects created with care,
skill, and artistic intention. Their pieces continue to grace the tables of
collectors and institutions, serving as both functional tools and works of art.
As scholars and connoisseurs reassess the decorative arts of the early 20th
century, Boulenger's reputation only grows brighter, securing their place in the
pantheon of great French silversmiths alongside the most illustrious names of
previous centuries.
Perhaps most impressive was Boulenger's quality assurance system. Each completed
piece was examined under magnification for stress fractures, weighed to ensure
proper metal distribution, and tested for balance by placing across a fulcrum.
Only items passing all inspections received the firm's full hallmarks - not just
the legally required purity marks, but also subtle artisan codes that identified
the individual craftsmen responsible. This system created both accountability
and pride among workers, with master smiths competing to have their personal
marks grace the finest pieces.
Today, complete Boulenger flatware sets, like this amazing art deco set, rank
among the most sought-after collectibles in the silver market. Auction prices
have appreciated steadily, with a 1935 "Horizon" service selling for €280,000 at
a Sotheby's Paris sale. Museums including the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris
and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London have acquired representative
examples for their permanent collections. Contemporary designers continue to
study Boulenger's work, particularly their innovative approaches to weight
distribution and tactile ergonomics that modern manufacturers still struggle to
replicate. This amazing art deco
sterling set is a stunning example of the quality and craftsmanship for which
Boulenger is internationally known. Each of the main sterling pieces bears the
French government’s Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark in addition to the Boulenger
sterling silver manufacturer’s hallmark, but the blades silver blades of the
ebony handled knives bear a different manufacturer’s hallmark – E.G. perhaps for
Emile Guillemat. The set includes
the following (all weights and measures approximate):
12
Dinner Knives 25.20 cm.
70 grams
12
Dinner Forks 21.50 cm.
77 grams
12
Tablespoons 21.50 cm.
84 grams
12
Luncheon Knives
18.20 cm.
27 grams
12
Dessert / Luncheon Forks
16.50 cm.
39 grams
12
Dessert / Luncheon Spoons
16.50 cm.
44 grams
12
Dessert Knives - Silver Blades & Ebony Handles
20.00 cm.
27 grams
12
Cheese Knives - Silver Blades & Ebony Handles
20.00 cm.
27 grams
12
Teaspoons
14.20 cm. 32 grams
12
Knife Blade Rests - Bone
10.00 cm.
14 grams
1
Large Salad Serving
Spoon 26.00 cm.
120
grams
1
Large Salad Serving Fork
26.00 cm.
119 grams
1
Large Soup / Stew
Serving Ladle
33.00 cm.
263 grams
1
Large Serving Spoon
26.70 cm.
134
grams
1
Large Meat Serving Fork
27.00 cm.
107 grams
1
Large Meat Serving Knife
31.50
cm. 90
grams
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