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Puiforcat (Hermes), Christofle, Faberge - 5pc. French 950 Sterling Tea Set

About the Item

Direct from Paris, a Stunning 5pc. Antique French 950 Sterling Silver Tea Set by the World's Premier French Silversmiths "Emile Puiforcat" (Currently Owned by Hermes) and "Christofle", plus 6 Faberge Imperial Egg Collection Espresso Cups & Saucers and a Candy Dish in Limoges Porcelain, An Ultra Luxurious Addition to any Stately Home and Absolutely Magnificent, circa late 1890s. The French silversmiths Christofle (formerly known as Cardeilhac), and Puiforcat (currently owned by Hermes) stand as prominent figures in the history of silver craftsmanship. With a legacy that spans over two centuries, the firms have been synonymous with excellence in silverware, catering to the needs of French royalty, the elite, and connoisseurs of fine craftsmanship worldwide. Carl Fabergé also a name synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and opulent artistry, stands as a luminary figure in the world of jewelry design. The House of Puiforcat was founded in 1820 by Emile Puiforcat, a visionary silversmith who sought to redefine traditional craftsmanship with a modern perspective. The brand quickly gained recognition for its commitment to exceptional quality and its avant-garde designs that pushed the boundaries of silversmithing. In its early years, Puiforcat became a favored choice for French aristocracy and European nobility, solidifying its reputation as a leading silverware manufacturer. The history of Christofle (Cardeilhac) traces its roots to the early 19th century. In 1830, Charles Christofle, a jeweler from Paris, joined forces with Antoine Cardeilhac, a talented silversmith, to form a partnership that would later become one of the most celebrated names in silverware. Initially named Cardeilhac, the company quickly gained recognition for its exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to quality. One of the factors that contributed significantly to the success of Cardeilhac was its early association with French royalty. In 1842, the company received the prestigious title of "Fournisseur de l'Empereur" (Supplier to the Emperor) under Napoleon III. This royal patronage not only elevated Cardeilhac's reputation but also provided access to a wealthy and influential clientele. The House of Fabergé traces its roots to the early 19th century when Gustav Fabergé, a skilled jeweler of French descent, founded the family business in St. Petersburg. His son, Carl Fabergé, took over the firm in 1872 and began to shape its destiny. Under Carl's visionary leadership, the House of Fabergé quickly gained prominence for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs, becoming the jeweler of choice for the Russian imperial family. The pinnacle of Carl Fabergé's artistic expression lies in the Imperial Eggs, a series of 50 ornate Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian imperial family between 1885 and 1917. These eggs, often referred to as the "Fabergé Eggs," are unparalleled masterpieces that blend intricate craftsmanship with symbolic storytelling. Each Imperial Egg is a triumph of creativity and technical prowess, featuring a unique design and concealing a surprise or "objet d'art" within. The Imperial Eggs not only captivated the imperial family but also garnered international admiration from European royalty and affluent collectors, further solidifying the House of Fabergé as a symbol of unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury. The eggs became coveted treasures, with some finding their way into private collections and museums worldwide. The 4 Faberge Egg espresso cups and saucers in fine Limoges porcelain accompanying this exquisite tea set present 4 different egg patterns. This set includes a teapot, coffee pot, sugar bowl and cream pitcher in 950 sterling silver in addition to 4 Faberge Egg espresso cups and saucers and one candy dish in fine Limoges porcelain. The Coffee Pot stands roughly 20.00cm. high to the top of the lid, is approximately 20.00cm. across from the tip of the spout to the outside of the handle and weights 727 grams. It bears the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver, in addition to the Puiforcat sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The elegant Cream Pitcher with gold plated (vermeil) interior stand approximately 11.00cm. high to the top of the handle, is roughly 12.50cm. across from the tip of the spout to the outside of the handle and weights 227 grams. It also bears the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver, in addition to the Puiforcat sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The Teapot is roughly 16.50cm. high to the top of the lid, approximately 24.50cm. across from the tip of the spout to the outside of the handle and weights 776 grams. It also bears the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver, in addition to the Puiforcat sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The elegant Sugar Bowl with gold plated (vermeil) interior stands approximately 12.50cm. high to the top of the lid, has a diameter of roughly 11.50cm. at its widest point and weights 391 grams. It also bears the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver, in addition to the Puiforcat sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. The massive serving tray is approximately 64.50cm. in length to the outside of the handles, 42.50cm. across at its widest point and weights over 3,300 grams. It also bears the French Government's Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver, in addition to the Christofle, Cardeilhac sterling silver manufacturer's hallmark. Each Faberge Jeweled Easter Egg designed espresso cup and saucer together stand 6.30cm. in height, the saucer has a diameter of 12.00cm. Each is stamped in gold on the underside with the "Faberge" Emblem and "Limoges France". Each cup by itself is 6.00cm. high, has a diameter of 5.50cm. and is stamped in gold on the underside with the "Faberge Emblem" and "Limoges France". There are two Faberge Imperial Egg designs on each espresso cup - one on each side. The Candy / Biscuit Dish in Limoges porcelain with the Faberge Imperial Jeweled Egg “Alexander Palace” Pattern. has a top diameter of 14.50 cm. and stands 4.00 cm. high. It is stamped in gold on the underside with the Faberge emblem and Limoges France in addition to the words "porcelaine de Limoges France". The original Alexander Palace egg featured the children of the last tsar, Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra and is currently in the Kremlin museum.

Creator:

Puiforcat (Manufacturer),Christofle Cardeilhac 1 (Manufacturer),Fabergé (Designer),Limoges (Manufacturer)

Sold As:

Set of 14

Style:

Louis XV (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Porcelain,Sterling Silver,Vermeil

Place of Origin:

France

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1890s

Condition:

Refinished. Each of the sterling silver pieces has been professionally restored to like new condition. The Limoges Faberge espresso cups and saucers are new.

Seller Location:

Wilmington, DE

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU9583238243972

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Shop All Fabergé

Fabergé

Best known for creating the lavishly ornate and intricately devised Imperial Easter eggs given by the last czars to their families as annual holiday gifts, the House of Fabergé was the most prestigious Russian luxury goods maker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Serving the aristocracy and the well-to-do through stores in St. Petersburg, Moscow and as far afield as London, Fabergé crafted a wide range of jewelry, clock cases, silver and myriad objets de vertu that included picture frames, cigarette boxes, cufflinks and carved hardstone floral and animal figurines. Following the revolution, the firm was closed by the Soviet state in 1918.

Master goldsmith Gustav Fabergé, a descendant of Huguenot emigrées, founded the company in St. Petersburg in 1842. The firm did a brisk trade among the lesser nobility and the merchant class, but it flourished under the guidance of Gustav’s eldest son Peter Carl Fabergé, who took over in 1872.

Cosmopolitan, widely-traveled and himself a master goldsmith, the younger Fabergé drew early design inspiration when he volunteered to catalogue and restore pieces in the imperial jewelry collection in the Hermitage. Fabergé pieces based on historical jewelry from the Hermitage caught the attention of Czar Alexander III at a Moscow exhibition in 1882, and three years later he commissioned the first Imperial Easter egg as a gift for the czarina. (Relatively simple in design compared to the complex cloisonné-adorned eggs that followed, the first egg was a white-enameled ovoid containing a gold “yolk” that held a gold hen, which in turn contained a replica of the imperial crown from which hung an egg-shaped ruby pendant.) Czar Nicholas II continued the tradition, presenting two eggs each Easter — one for his wife and one for his mother. As the appointed goldsmith to the royal court, the House of Fabergé became the darling of Russian aristocrats as well as wealthy patrons across Europe. Many and varied objets — hundreds of thousands by one count — were made to meet their demand. The firm employed some 500 craftsmen and designers when it was shuttered.

After the Russian Revolution, the Fabergé name and trademark endured a checkered passage through the 20th century. Family members left their homeland in 1918 and set up a new business in Paris that was mainly concerned with repairing and restoring earlier-made wares. The name was adopted by an American fragrance and beauty products maker in the late 1930s, and later authorized by the family in a 1951 agreement. The trademark has been subsequently sold several times, and attached to numerous products including jewelry.

For connoisseurs, true Fabergé refers to items made in the firm’s brief, golden decades from 1885 to 1917. Collectors are advised to make a study of Fabergé works in museum collections such as the Victoria & Albert and the Royal Collection in London to gain an understanding of the quality of genuine goods made by the original firm, and then to purchase only from reputable and reliable dealers, such those at 1stDibs.

As you will see from the vintage jewelry and objects on these pages, Fabergé pieces are richly redolent of a romantic past, and a source of thorough delight.