Elegant antique French sterling silver 35pc entremet or dessert sized fork & spoon flatware set, "Gothic" pattern - a 2pc setting with interlaced monograms and by the world renowned PUIFORCAT silversmith house! Meant to be a complete setting for eighteen, one of the forks has gone missing over the years. The forks are each right around 44 grams, spoons are 52 grams and all 35 pieces are 1726 grams or 55.5 troy ounces! Puiforcat - One of a very tight circle of the most honored names in French sterling silver, and for all good reason. The company is now owned by HERMES (since 1990s), and has a long and lauded history that stands well in your behalf in acquisition and enjoyment of your investment in a set like this one. We get so many questions about why French sterling flatware brings such a premium price, and we can only offer it in its own defense - it is simply superior in all ways. Heavier by nearly double, the pieces last as heirlooms and do not dent, damage or bend easily. The elegant patterns are timeless, truly. And the artistry is further enhanced by the rigorous attention to the detail in the finished pieces - no roughness, no fuzziness to the crisp detail. Magical in the hand, there are many reasons why these are considered investment quality. And in times like we have now, it might well be the best possible investment.
WHAT ABOUT KNIVES?? A traditional wedding gift, these magnificent French sterling silver flatware sets were almost always packaged without knives. Why is this? Another French tradition has to do with the gift of knives or a knife as a symbol of the cutting or ending of a relationship. And no where on earth is tradition more important, perhaps, than to the French culture. So, in light of the symbolism of the gift, knives were not part of a wedding gift, not packaged or even usually made with the matching pattern of the forks, spoons in a set, and are something added later and as compliments to the table's sterling silver choice. And ever the center influence in fashion, this also opportuned the happy result of knives made in coordinating and complimenting fashion. The result is that you can add sets of knives to compliment and define your table setting.
Very good condition. There is one fork missing so the set consists of eighteen spoons and seventeen forks. Only some slight surface marks and/or scuffing, what you would expect from their age and light use but nothing that couldn't be addressed by a quick wheel buffing! The silversmith marks are definitely those of Emile Puiforcat, they appear to be punched or stamped over another silversmith mark so they were likely commissioned by Puiforcat. The box appears to be original and is also in great shape. Forks are each 44 grams, spoons are 52 grams each and all 35 pieces are 1726 grams or 55.5 troy ounces. See pictures for measurements.
