Art Nouveau 108 Piece Canteen, “iris,” Chauvin And Lacombe, Paris 1922–30, Silver-plated

Important Art Nouveau silverware set – E. Chauvin & Lacombe, Paris, circa 1922–1930

A very beautiful and significant 108-piece silver-plated set, crafted by E. Chauvin & Lacombe, a cutlery and silverware manufacturer located at 8 Rue de Braque in Paris.

The pieces bear the firm’s hallmark, “C & L” accompanied by a comet. Since this hallmark was engraved in 1922, the set can be dated to the 1920s, likely around 1922–1930.

The design is particularly remarkable for its bold Art Nouveau decoration, immediately evoking the creations of the late 19th and very early 20th centuries. The handles are adorned with long, sinuous plant motifs framing a polished panel and culminating in generous iris flowers in relief. This floral motif and the way the iris unfolds along the handle are reminiscent of certain Art Nouveau silverware designs, particularly those developed around this theme by Puiforcat.

It is thus an interesting remnant of the Art Nouveau aesthetic in the 1920s, at a time when tastes were already shifting largely toward Art Deco. Cutlery sets featuring such elaborate Art Nouveau decoration remain relatively rare: the heyday of this style was fairly brief, and producing a complete set required the costly creation of numerous specialized dies.

The knives feature stainless steel blades, which are significantly more practical than the older carbon steel blades, which were highly susceptible to oxidation.

The set is in excellent condition: beautiful silver plating, crisp floral reliefs, and very few signs of use. It is not only a beautiful collector’s set but also a fully functional dinner service. The abundance of irises and foliage adorning each place setting can truly transform a table into a spring garden, particularly charming in a floral, Art Nouveau, or Belle Époque-inspired setting.

Set Contents – 108 pieces

• 12 large dinner forks
• 11 dinner spoons
• 12 dinner knives
• 12 fish forks
• 12 fish knives
• 12 dessert forks
• 12 dessert spoons
• 12 oyster forks
• 12 coffee spoons
• 1 large soup ladle

Manufacturer: E. Chauvin & Lacombe, Paris
Period: circa 1922–1930
Style: Art Nouveau
Material: silver-plated metal, stainless steel blades
Hallmark: C & L with a comet
Condition: excellent condition.