Cutlery ´iris', Puiforcat, 123 Pieces, Paris Around 1890-1910, Sterling Silver

Magnificent and extremely rare "Iris" canteen of cutlery from the Art Nouveau period in 800 % solid silver from the famous silversmith Puiforcat in Paris. The cutlery was made for the Belgian market in 800 % solid silver. According to family tradition, they were bought from a renowned Antwerp jeweler at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Most of the cutlery is just punched 800 in a rectangle as was customary on all cutlery at that time in Belgium.
A certain number are hallmarked with the master silversmith's mark EP surrounding an office penknife for J.E.Puiforcat and are also hallmarked with the export guarantee mark "head of Mercury", again for the second title.
The quality of the drawing and engraving are sublime and very typical for this great Parisian goldsmith.
The decoration of iris flowers and foliage is very thick and gives the impression of emerging from the surface of the cutlery with a quality of execution of the highest level.
French Art Nouveau was a rather elite style with luxurious objects often of very high quality.
The manufacturing of cutlery requires significant investments in a large series of sculpted steel moulds.
This investment can only be profitable in the event of great commercial success.
Many French silversmiths have never dared to make this costly bet and French Art Nouveau-style cutlery is very rare on the market unlike the countless models of more classic styles.
Both sets of knives have mother of pearl and sterling silver handles with a stainless steel blade.
They date from the same period as the cutlery but are probably from another master silversmith.
The dessert spoons and dessert forks are engraved with an Art Nouveau monogram of two intertwined initials.
Composition:
12 table forks 20,8 cm
12 table spoons 21 cm
12 table knives 25,2 cm
12 dessert forks 18 cm
12 dessert spoons 18,5 cm
12 dessert knives21 cm
12 fish forks 18 cm
12 fish knives 21,5 cm
12 teaspoons14,5 cm
12 Demi tasse spoons 10,2 cm
3 serving pieces up to 29,5 cm
123 pieces in all, weight without the knives 5250 grams