Puiforcat – Large Pierced Sterling Silver Fish Serving Set

Beautiful pair of fish serving implements in solid sterling silver, comprising a fish slice and matching serving fork, made by PUIFORCAT in Paris.

The fiddle-pattern hollow silver handles are decorated with moulded fillets, scrolls and fleurons. Their lower section is engraved with the intertwined neo-Gothic initials CB, enclosed within a finely engraved buckle garter cartouche, a motif of English inspiration particularly favoured during the second half of the nineteenth century.

The fish slice is delicately pierced and embellished with stylised scrolling foliage. The serving fork features an elegant pierced base enhanced by finely engraved flowers, foliage and long rush stems extending along the tines.

Hallmarks (handles, slice and fork)

• French Minerva hallmark, 1st standard (950/1000 silver).

• Maker's mark: EP and a clasp knife for PUIFORCAT, Paris, used between 1857 and 1927.

Dimensions
• Fish slice: Length 30.6 cm (12.05 in.) – Width 4.6 cm (1.81 in.)

• Serving fork: Length 26.8 cm (10.55 in.) – Width 5.4 cm (2.13 in.)

Weight: 305 grams (10.76 oz.)

Condition report
Light surface scratches and signs of use consistent with the intended purpose of the pieces. Good overall condition.

The impressive size of this fish serving set, the quality of its workmanship, the refinement of its pierced decoration and the elegance of its monogram engraved within an English-inspired garter cartouche make it a remarkable example of fine Parisian table silver from the Belle Époque.

PUIFORCAT

Founded in Paris in 1820, the House of PUIFORCAT ranks among the most prestigious French silversmithing firms of the nineteenth century. Jean PUIFORCAT, representing the fourth generation of the family, later placed the company at the forefront of Art Deco silver design and secured its international reputation.

Émile PUIFORCAT registered his maker's mark featuring a clasp knife in 1857. Established in Rue Chapon, Paris, the firm continued to use this mark until its cancellation in 1927.