Cardeilhac Christofle antique French 950 sterling silver Louis XVI tea set
Direct from Paris: A
gorgeous 5pc. Louis XVI, 950 sterling silver tea set by France’s premier
silversmiths Jacques and Pierre Cardeilhac (Christofle), silversmiths to the
aristocracy of Europe. The set
includes includes a sterling silver hot chocolate server and large silver-plated
serving tray in addition to individual anti-tarnish storage wraps for each
storage - circa 1890s. The annals of
French decorative arts reserve a special chapter for the master silversmiths of
the 19th century, among whom the house of Cardeilhac occupies a position of
particular distinction. Established during the Bourbon Restoration when France
was rediscovering its aristocratic heritage, Cardeilhac became synonymous with
the highest standards of silversmithing through its exquisite 950 sterling
silver tea services crafted in the Louis XVI style. This magnificent 6pc
sterling set is a stunning testament to Cardeilhac's rise to prominence, the
exceptional quality that defined its workshop, its prestigious royal connections
including its important relationship with Christofle (the official Silversmith
to the King), its recognition at international exhibitions, and the enduring
legacy of its magnificent tea services that remain coveted by collectors today.
The Focus on Quality:
The foundation of Cardeilhac's reputation lay in its uncompromising approach to
materials and craftsmanship. Unlike many contemporaries who were beginning to
adopt industrial methods, Cardeilhac maintained traditional artisanal
techniques, employing master craftsmen trained in the exacting standards of
Parisian guild traditions. The firm worked exclusively in 950 sterling silver, a
purer alloy than the standard 925, which gave their pieces a distinctive
luminosity and greater resistance to tarnish. Each component of their tea
services - from the gracefully curved teapots to the delicately proportioned
sugar bowls - was hand-raised and finished, with surfaces that might appear
machine-perfect to the untrained eye but upon closer inspection reveal the
subtle variations that testify to their handmade origins.
Cardeilhac's design philosophy found its perfect expression in the Louis
XVI revival style that dominated French luxury goods during the mid-19th
century. Their tea services embodied the neoclassical ideals of balance,
symmetry, and refined ornamentation that characterized the original Louis XVI
period. The firm's designers studied 18th century pattern books and surviving
examples from the ancien régime, adapting elements such as fluted columns,
acanthus leaf motifs, and ribbon-and-swag decorations to contemporary tastes. A
typical Cardeilhac tea service might feature a pear-shaped teapot with a carved
hardwood handle (often ebony or rosewood), a domed lid topped with a finial in
the form of a stylized fruit or floral bud, and a spout shaped like a graceful
avian neck. The surfaces would be adorned with chased floral garlands or
classical figures in low relief, demonstrating the firm's mastery of repoussé
technique.
Serving European Royalty:
The quality of Cardeilhac's output attracted the attention of Europe's most
discerning patrons, including members of the French royal family and foreign
nobility. The firm benefited from the renewed interest in formal tea service
that emerged during the July Monarchy and Second Empire, when the ritual of
afternoon tea became an important social occasion among the aristocracy.
Cardeilhac's tea services were not merely functional objects but statements of
cultural refinement, designed to impress guests with their harmonious
proportions and flawless execution. The firm's clientele included not only
French aristocrats but also Russian grand dukes, British industrialists, and
South American magnates, all seeking the cachet that came with owning pieces
from one of Paris's most prestigious silversmiths.
Collaboration with Christofle:
Cardeilhac's relationship with Christofle, the official Silversmith to King
Louis-Philippe and later Napoleon III, represents a fascinating chapter in the
history of French silver. While Christofle revolutionized the industry with its
development of electroplating and mechanized production techniques, it
frequently collaborated with traditional ateliers like Cardeilhac for special
commissions requiring the highest level of craftsmanship. This symbiotic
relationship allowed Cardeilhac to maintain its artisanal integrity while
benefiting from Christofle's extensive royal connections. Some of the most
elaborate Cardeilhac tea services were produced through this partnership,
combining the firm's traditional techniques with Christofle's innovative
approaches to design and finishing. The two firms occasionally exhibited
together at international exhibitions, presenting a united front of French
silversmithing excellence that ranged from mass-produced silverplate to the most
exclusive handcrafted sterling silver.
Awards and Accolades: The international exhibitions of the 19th
century provided Cardeilhac with important platforms to showcase its artistry
and technical mastery. At the 1855 Paris Exposition Universelle, the firm's
display of a monumental Louis XVI-style tea service earned critical acclaim and
a medal from the jury. The service, which included not only the standard
components but also matching trays, waste bowls, and even a samovar for the
Russian market, demonstrated Cardeilhac's ability to execute complex designs
with flawless precision. Subsequent exhibitions in London (1862), Paris (1867),
and Vienna (1873) further cemented the firm's reputation, with each presentation
featuring increasingly elaborate tea services that pushed the boundaries of
traditional silversmithing. The exhibition pieces often incorporated
experimental techniques such as varied surface textures (contrasting highly
polished areas with matte finishes) and innovative hinge mechanisms for lids,
all while maintaining the formal purity of the Louis XVI aesthetic.
Cardeilhac’s Sterling Tea Sets:
What set Cardeilhac's tea services apart from those of its competitors was the
extraordinary attention to functional details. The firm's craftsmen understood
that true luxury lay in perfect usability as much as in beautiful appearance.
Teapots were carefully weighted to pour without dripping, spouts were shaped to
control the flow of liquid precisely, and handles were ergonomically designed to
remain cool to the touch. Even the interior surfaces received meticulous
attention, with strainers integrated seamlessly into the design and interiors
polished to prevent tannin buildup. These practical considerations, combined
with the visual harmony of the decorative elements, resulted in tea services
that were as much a pleasure to use as they were to behold.
The production process for a Cardeilhac tea service was extraordinarily
labor-intensive. A single service might require six to nine months of work from
a team of specialized craftsmen, each responsible for a different aspect of
production. The repoussé specialists would create the decorative elements by
hammering the silver from the reverse side to raise the designs in relief.
Chasers would then refine these motifs with tiny punches and gravers, adding
texture and detail. Another group of artisans would focus on the assembly,
carefully soldering components with joints so precise as to be nearly invisible.
Finally, the finishers would polish the surfaces to a mirror-like brilliance,
taking care to preserve the crispness of the decorative elements. This division
of labor, reminiscent of 18th century workshop practices, ensured that each
specialist could achieve absolute mastery of their particular craft.
Cardeilhac's tea services were often customized for important clients,
with coats of arms, monograms, or special decorative motifs added to suit
individual tastes. The firm maintained an extensive archive of designs that
could be adapted or combined to create unique configurations. For particularly
prestigious commissions, such as those destined for royal households, Cardeilhac
would produce presentation drawings showing the proposed service from multiple
angles, sometimes with watercolor washes to indicate the play of light on the
silver surfaces. These drawings themselves became works of art and are now
prized by collectors and museums as documents of 19th century design process.
Historical Context:
The business records that survive from Cardeilhac's heyday reveal the
extraordinary value placed on their tea services. A complete service in the
1860s might cost the equivalent of a skilled worker's annual salary, placing it
firmly in the realm of luxury goods. The firm maintained strict quality control,
with each piece undergoing multiple inspections before being allowed to bear the
Cardeilhac mark. Rejected pieces, rather than being sold at a discount, were
routinely melted down and reworked until they met the firm's exacting standards.
This uncompromising approach to quality helped maintain Cardeilhac's reputation
but also contributed to the relatively small number of pieces that survive today
compared to more commercially oriented manufacturers.
The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 and the subsequent
economic challenges marked the beginning of a decline for traditional
silversmithing firms like Cardeilhac. Changing social customs and the rise of
more informal entertaining reduced demand for elaborate tea services, while the
increasing cost of skilled labor made the firm's traditional methods less
economically viable. By the end of the 19th century, Cardeilhac had ceased
independent operations, though some of its craftsmen continued working for other
Parisian silver firms. The firm's legacy, however, endured through the pieces
that remained in use and admiration among collectors and connoisseurs.
The Cardeilhac Legacy:
Today, Cardeilhac's tea services are prized by collectors and museums for their
perfect embodiment of 19th century French neoclassical design. The Musée des
Arts Décoratifs in Paris holds several important examples, including a
spectacular service commissioned by the Rothschild family that features
exceptionally fine chasing depicting scenes from classical mythology. Auction
results demonstrate the enduring appeal of Cardeilhac's work, with complete tea
services regularly achieving six-figure prices in the international art market.
Scholars of decorative arts continue to study Cardeilhac's output as
representing the last flowering of traditional French silversmithing before the
full onset of industrialization.
The story of Cardeilhac's tea services offers more than just a chronicle
of beautiful objects; it provides insight into the cultural values of 19th
century France. In an age of rapid industrialization and social change, these
pieces represented continuity with an aristocratic past while simultaneously
meeting the demands of a new elite. Their flawless craftsmanship spoke to a
French national identity rooted in artistic excellence, while their neoclassical
designs connected contemporary patrons with the glory of pre-Revolutionary
France. For modern collectors, owning a Cardeilhac tea service is not merely an
acquisition of silver but a stewardship of cultural heritage, preserving the
skills and aesthetic ideals of a golden age of French craftsmanship.
Set Specifications:
The majestic Coffee Pot is an amazing 24.50 cm. high to the top of the lid,
21.00 cm. across from the tip of the spout to the end of the handle and weights
815 grams. It is stamped with the Cardeilhac Signature Sterling Silver Hallmark
as well as the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark certifying a
minimum of 950 sterling silver. The magnificent Tea Pot is approximately 21.00
cm. in height to the top of the lid, roughly 23.50 cm. across from the tip of
the spout to the end of the handle and weighs 772 Grams. It is stamped with the
Cardeilhac Signature Sterling Silver Hallmark as well as the French Government's
Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver.
There is some restoration work that has been done on the Teapot but it is barely
visible.
The Cream Pitcher (gold plated interior) stands approximately 14.00 cm.
high to the top of the handle, Measures 13.00 cm. across from the end of the
handle to the tip of the Spout and Weights 333 grams. It is stamped with the
Cardeilhac Signature Sterling Silver Hallmark as well as the French Government's
Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver. The
sturdy Hot Chocolate Server (different pattern) is roughly 20.50 cm. high to the
top of the lid, measures approximately 22.50 cm. across to the tip of the handle
and weights 561 grams. It is stamped with the French Government's Head of the
Minerva 1 Hallmark certifying a minimum of 950 Sterling silver in addition to
the George Falkenberg sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark.
The magnificent Sugar Bowl, with gold plated (Vermeil) Interior, stands
roughly 17.50 cm. high to the top of the lid, measures approximately 15.00 cm.
across to the tips of the handles and weights 627 grams. It is stamped with the
Cardeilhac Signature Sterling Silver Hallmark as well as the French Government's
Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark certifying a minimum of 950 Sterling Silver. The
massive Serving Tray is silver-plated bronze and measures 73.50 cm. in length to
the tips of the handles, 46.00 cm. wide and weights an astounding 4,200 grams.
It is in very good condition with only slight wearing of the silver-plate on the
underside and is stamped with the manufacturer's hallmark "A.V. (Vayrat)"