Puiforcat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Puiforcat?

Founded in Paris in 1820, Orfèvrerie Puiforcat has spent over two centuries preserving and advancing the art of the French silversmith. The house produced Jean Puiforcat, widely regarded as the greatest silver designer of the twentieth century. Puiforcat is considered one of the great names in French silver because it treats the craft as a living tradition of the highest order. Today, the house continues to produce sterling silver flatware, holloware, and accessories of uncompromising quality.

Who was Jean Puiforcat?

Jean Puiforcat was a visionary silversmith who brought the geometry and clarity of Art Deco to French silver with a precision and elegance that has never been equaled. He is the defining figure of Art Deco silversmithing.

Why does Jean Puiforcat's legacy define the house?

Jean Puiforcat’s designs—spare, structural, and mathematically considered—were revolutionary in their time and remain entirely modern today. He designed his own Cannes collection in 1928 for his personal wedding table, and the collection remains among the most celebrated flatware services in existence.

What collections are available from Puiforcat at Kneen & Co?

Kneen & Co carries an extensive Puiforcat selection, including the full Cannes sterling silver flatware collection, Art Deco serving trays by Jean Puiforcat (including the Etchea series and the Loya), and vases.

What Cannes pieces are available from Puiforcat at Kneen & Co?

The Cannes sterling silver flatware collection includes table forks and knives, dessert forks, spoons, and knives, and teaspoons. The Cannes collection is also available with onyx, jade, or jasper embellishments for the most exceptional commissions.

What care does Puiforcat sterling silver require?

Puiforcat sterling silver is dishwasher safe with a mild detergent and should be carefully dried with a clean, dry cloth after washing. With attentive care, a Puiforcat service will be as magnificent in fifty years as it is today.

What care does silver-plated Puiforcat require?

Silver-plated pieces with wood elements—such as the Etchea tray with its rosewood feet—should be hand washed with a soft sponge in lukewarm water, and the wood refreshed regularly with a suitable wax to preserve its beauty.

Is Puiforcat appropriate for a wedding commission?

A commission of Puiforcat sterling silver for a wedding table is among the most significant gestures available in the world of luxury gifts, connecting every dinner thereafter to over two centuries of French silversmithing at its finest.

Is Puiforcat appropriate as an heirloom gift?

Yes. A Puiforcat service is an ideal heirloom gift, an act that places the recipient in the company of Jean Puiforcat himself, who set his own wedding table with the Cannes collection.

What lead times apply to Puiforcat at Kneen & Co?

Puiforcat sterling silver flatware is available with lead times of 2–4 weeks for most pieces, with the full range of Cannes and other collections orderable by special order. The team assists with bespoke pairings and jewelry-embellished commissions.