Puiforcat, the science of volumes — Patine Gallery Paris

Founded in Paris in 1820 by a cutler named Emile Puiforcat and his two cousins, the Puiforcat House started to gain international recognition almost one century later under the impulse of Jean Puiforcat. Born in 1897 in Paris, he started a goldsmith apprenticeship as an intern in his father workshop alongside other experienced craftsmen. But his studies were quickly interrupted by the First World War and he couldn’t complete his training.

However, Jean Puiforcat would later claim that getting no formal training was actually a true blessing and eventually a way for him to experience by himself and step by step things he would otherwise have never explored. In his powerful work, he defined beauty through the proportion of volumes and harmony of shapes.

Puiforcat Stamp and Hallmark
The Puiforcat hallmark represents a rhombus or oval shape where the initials E.P (co founder of the house) are engraved.
© PUIFORCAT

The artist’s preferred and ideal shape was the circle made of a simple and noble curve which is - according to him - more elegant that the straight line. The 1930s would be dominated by the Art Deco movement symbolized by the purity of lines and the reject of superfluous elements, a style that Jean Puiforcat would easily adopt in his various creations. He became ubiquitous on the French artistic scene during this period notably on the occasion of numerous exhibitions alongside other prominent designers such as Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier or René Herbst.

Jean E. Puiforcat
Normandie dinner fork and spoon silver plated
France, 1935
© RAGO Arts

However even if the Art Deco is synonymous with simplicity, Jean Puiforcat always made sure his work didn’t become boring by combining the purity of the lines with luxurious materials such as wood or shagreen. Today’s his pieces are still reedited and even if they have been created almost one century ago they are still totally in tune with our contemporaries tastes.

Jean E. Puiforcat
Etchea coffee and tea service
Ateliers Puiforcat
France, 1928
Silver plate, lacquered mahogany
© Wright Auction

One of the most iconic shape created by the House is the timbale, a curved container in solid silver, which can be used to drink champagne or cognac. This object, in addition to being ideally designed, is rigorously thought out to allow the liquor to be tasted in the best conditions : indeed, its narrow neck deploys the aroma while the wide base aerates the liquid.

Puiforcat
A French silver beaker, modern, after the model of Queen Anne d'Autriche, King Louis XIII wife
© Sotheby’s

Puiforcat house is famous for its tableware collections inspired and named by some of the cities that Jean Puiforcat appreciated the most. Among them, the Cannes cutlery designed in 1928 is probably the most emblematic one.

Clearly proportioned and functionally balanced, the forks, spoons and knifes of this collection remain extremly simple and elegant thanks notably to five rings placed on the handles. In this way, Puiforcat turn everyday objects into precious objects perfectly proportioned and crafted.

Puiforcat
Cannes cutlery (930 sterling Silver)
*© B*esteckliste

In the 1990s, Hermès would acquire the Puiforcat House and would collaborate on several elegant creations mixing both houses iconic materials : leather for Hermès and silver for Puiforcat.

Today Puiforcat collaborates with contemporary artists and designers staying true to its heritage and know-how.