Gorgeous antique French sterling silver 24 piece fish flatware service by prestigious silversmith Emile Puiforcat. Comprising of 12 forks and 12 knives patterned in elegant Louis XVI style decoration. The handles feature classical form enhanced with stylized foliage of acanthus leaves and bell flowers, embellished further with acanthus adorning the back of the service ends. Monogrammed with interlaced initials CV or VC. Masterly crafted from the highest quality silver, each piece having a good weight in hand. The set is hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark used from 1838 to 1919, which depicts the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her to denote a silver content of 950/1000 (of 95% pure silver and a higher finesse than .925 sterling). Bearing silversmith marks for the prestigious firm of Emile Puiforcat. In overall good condition with general wear. Forks measures 7 3/8". Knives are 8 1/2". The total silver weight of this set is 1,600.8 grams. The set is housed in a yellow satin and velvet lined presentation box. Box measures 10 1/4" x 9 1/4" and shows wear commensurate with age.
Founded in 1820 by brothers Emile and Joseph-Marie Puiforcat, the firm soon established itself as a purveyor of fine quality silver tableware in various royal households. Well established and celebrated by the 1920's, the firm was at the forefront in design. The era was ushered in by grandson Jean-Emile Puiforcat, who is noted as the most important silver craftsmen of the Art Deco period. Paris, between the two World Wars, was the center of the art world and the timing of his entry into the world of decorative arts was fortuitous, given his exceptional designs. The close attention to detail and design in Puiforcat silverware allows it to stand alone as a benchmark of quality and beauty. The Puiforcat firm is still in existence today, having been acquired by Hermes in 1993. Today, Puiforcat's period and Deco pieces are highly prized for their handcraftmanship and styling.