Puiforcat designed silver objects in the Art Deco style and used gilding, decoration in other materials (e.g. rosewood, ivory, onyx, lapis lazuli) and decorative bands of ribbing or reeding in his work. In 1929 he helped found the Union des Artistes Modernes. Most of Puiforcat’s designs were for tableware, but he also exhibited other forms of silver and sculpture.

When World War II began, Puiforcat left France and in 1941 settled in Mexico, where he opened a studio and exported his silver. In 1945 he returned to Paris, but died shortly after his return.

Puiforcat is considered to be one of the twentieth century’s great silver tableware designers. In Perfection: Jean E. Puiforcat’s Designs For Silver  Gail S. Davidson notes that his works “appeal to the intellect as well as the senses.” Discussing Puiforcat’s work in Mexico, Davidson writes that Puiforcat “produced new models inspired by Mexican motifs and incoporating more flamboyant decorative details.”

[see Gail S. Davidson, “Perfection: Jean E. Puiforcat’s Designs for Silver,” The Magazine Antiques, vol. 163, pt. 1 (January 2003)] Read/download: Perfection: Jean E. Puiforcat’s Designs For Silver

Other resources:

Puiforcat (Paris)
Jean Puiforcat entry at answers.com
Search “Puiforcat” in the collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK)
A Silversmith of the Modern Age: Puiforcat
A Silversmith of the Modern Age, part 2

From time to time pieces created by Jean Puiforcat in Mexico are offered on eBay, and it is usually possible to find items he created in France.

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Dessert/Luncheon Spoons Set 6 pc US $890.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 11:35:23 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Tea/Coffee Spoons Set 6 pc US $480.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 11:57:52 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Dessert Serving Set 3 pc US $980.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 13:40:12 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Tea/Dessert Serving Set 19 pc US $1,380.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 23:54:40 PST   | Watch this Item

PUIFORCAT Rare French Sterling Silver Small Dessert Serving Fork 6 pc Set US $560.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 0:47:27 PST   | Watch this Item

Jean Puiforcat: France + Mexico = extraordinary design originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on September 24, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

The necklace, shown below, is part of a lot that also includes two Taxco silver bracelets. The estimate is $200 – $300. From the auctioneer’s description:

Mexico, a Taxco sterling necklace with stylized leaves, marked Hecho Sterling; PLUS two Mexican Taxco link bracelets, one marked Mexica 925, the other 925; necklace dia. 15 in., bracelet lg. 7 in., total silver weight 7.23 ozt (225g).

Vintage Taxco sterling silver necklace plus bracelets. Photograph: Cowan's Auctions

Lot 240, shown below, consists of two sterling silver bracelets with stones and has an estimate of $ 100 – $ 200. From the auctioneer’s description:

Mexican, a custom sterling linked bracelet with inset blue/green lapis stones, marked T.M./189 / Mexico 925; lg. 6.5 in; Plus a sterling cuff bracelet with inlaid stones, marked T.F. / Sterling; dia. 2.5 in.

Vintage Mexican sterling silver bracelets. Photograph: Cowan's Auctions

Lot 372 is a mixed bag, but of interest here are the two Mexican silver salts. The lot is estimated at $ 50 – $ 100. Here is the description:

An assembled group of two Mexican sterling silver salts marked Mexico / Sterling / 925, one sterling silver salt spoon marked Sterling, PLUS two silverplated salt spoons, one silverplated open salt, and one silverplated item marked Wilcox Silverplate Co.; tallest ht. 2.75 in., total silver weight 1.79ozt (60.5g).

Vintage Mexican sterling silver salts plus. Photograph: Cowan's Auctions

For all the details, click on the links above or visit Cowan’s Auctions website.

Vintage Mexican silver salts, vintage Taxco silver jewelry in upcoming auction originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on August 20, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Antonio Pineda sterling silver flatware service; Photograph: John Moran Auctioneers

From the auctioneer’s description:

Antonio Pineda was born in Taxco, Mexico to an old Taxquenian family in 1919. At the age of 14 he apprenticed with William Spratling. After eight years in Spratling’s studio, and becoming a master silversmith in his own right, Pineda opened his own workshop. His international reputation was established when his work was exhibited along side that of Georg Jensen and other renowned modernist silversmiths at the 1944 exhibition of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. Pineda’s entire body of work displayed at that seminal show was purchased by Gump’s, which established a long standing relationship between Pineda and the high-end retailer. In 1953 he won the Presidential Prize at the first National Silver Fair and by 1956 his operation employed over 160 people. Pineda founded the Silver Museum in Taxco in 1988.

Antonio Pineda is best known for his modernist jewelry designs incorporating gemstones in unusual and creative settings. Utilitarian pieces such as hollowware and flatware sets by Pineda are rare. Provenance: Property from a Private Arizona Collection

Estimated Price: $7,000 – $10,000. Condition: Weight does not include steel-bladed dinner knives. Very good condition overall. General light marks, scratches, rubbing and wear commensurate with age and use. Not monogrammed.

For more details about this lot and the auction, click here.

Tuesday auction features Antonio Pineda sterling silver flatware service originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on March 6, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Vintage Sanborns silver lamp/lighter; Photograph: eBay seller snoeshoe4003

At the moment there’s not much vintage Sanborn’s silver on eBay, but I found this unusual piece offered by a Top-Rated eBay seller. Excerpts rom the seller’s description:

This lighter/lamp was made in Mexico by Frank Sanborns in the 1940’s and was given as a wedding gift to my mother-in-law and has been passed down through the estate…is in excellent vintage condition throughout and appears to have never been filled with oil or lit…There is a cotton like substance inside the lamp to absorb the fuel and an adjustable candle wick at the other end. This maker’s mark, (also called “hallmark” by some), is the earlier mark Frank Sanborns used when he began silver smithing and is clearly legible on the base and was a mark used before the three cat or owl mark found on later pieces. This lamp weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3” to top of snake handle, 3 13/16” handle to tip, 1 3/4” across fuel bowl and 1 5/8” across the base.

For more information:

1940s cool: vintage Sanborns Mexican silver Aladdin’s lamp originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on January 24, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Group of six Mexican silver cordials, Juventino López Reyes, Circa 1950

Mexican silver footed dish marked MRM, Circa 1950

Mexican silver serving spoon, Geraldo López, Taxco Circa 1950

All photographs: Heritage Auction Galleries. For more information on these and other vintage Mexican silver auction lots at Heritage, click here.

While a number of books have looked at Mexican silver jewelry, less has been written about other metal objects, often made by the very same designers. Mexican Jewelry & Metal Art helps to fill that gap, with detailed captions with value ranges, 1000+ color photographs, a bibliography, index, illustrated glossary, and illustrated hallmarks.

See larger image Mexican Jewelry & Metal Art (Hardcover) By (author) Leslie Pina List Price: $89.99 USD New From: $59.99 In Stock Used from: $48.55 In Stock

Auction alert: vintage Mexican silverware originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on January 2, 2011. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Photograph: Concept Art Gallery/icollector.com

A Mexican sterling silver tea and coffee by Juventino Reyes Lopez (or Juvento Reyes Lopez) will be sold at auction on October 16th.  Offered by Concept Art Gallery, the lot will start at $ 800 and is expected to fetch $1,500 – $3,000.

From the auction description:

Medium: Sterling silver, Mexican
Dimensions: Tray 22 1/2 x 16 inches, 5 lb 3.1 oz; coffee pot 9 x 8 1/2 inches, 3 1/3 inch diameter base, 2 lb; tea pot 7 x 10 inches, 3 3/4 inch indiameter base, 2 lb. 4.6 oz; creamer 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, 2 3/4 inch in diameter base, 14.1 oz; sugar dish 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, 2 3/4 inches in diameter, 13.5 oz; waste bowl 2 3/4 x 4 inches, 2 1/4 inch in diameter base, 6.3 oz; total weight 9 lb 8.6 oz
Description: Tray, coffee pot, tea pot, creamer, sugar pot and waste bowl
Signature: Stamped JLR Sterling, made in Mexico, pattern 2503
Condition: in generally good condition apart from some normal scratching on the tray.

More information about Reyes, including hallmarks and maker’s marks, is available in Bill Hougart’s book:

See larger image The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks (Paperback) By (author) Bille Hougart New From: $24.95 In Stock Used from: $51.17 In Stock

Juventino Reyes Lopez Mexican sterling tea and coffee service at auction originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on October 6, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Here is one example of a Maciel mark:

Photograph: SilverCollection.it

Current eBay listings for vintage Maciel silver include:

L. MACIEL Mexico Sterling Silver Salad Serving Set (359.8 grams) US $349.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 11:19:51 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Sterling Silver L. Maciel Cigar Lighter 182 Grams US $299.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:08:13 PST   | Watch this Item

MEXICO VINTAGE MACIEL HAND WROUGHT STERLING SILVER CUFF WIDE BRACELET US $220.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:25:30 PST   | Watch this Item

Maciel Vintage Antique 1937 Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet TWO Dedications Mexico US $179.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:29:12 PST   | Watch this Item

Beautiful Mexican sterling silver vintage dinner bell by Maciel in crane form US $549.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:46:39 PST   | Watch this Item

Large 925 Sterling Silver Maciel Mexico Flower Salt & Pepper Shakers US $9.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 18:39:55 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage hollowware, silverware and jewelry from Maciel of Mexico City originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on September 18, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

Maestro Gonzalo W. Moreno was a well-regarded silversmith. His taller produced mostly hollowware, but also occasional jewelry. Some of the Moreno production was sold by Cartier.

Photograph: New Orleans Auction Galleries

Lot 651 information from the auctioneer:

LOT DESCRIPTION
Good Mexican Sterling Silver Water Pitcher, third quarter 20th century, by Gonzalo W. Moreno, Mexico City, in the modernist taste, the pear-shaped body with flared integral spout, the C-scroll handle wrapped with coiled silver wire, h. 9-1/4″, dia. 5″, l. 7″, 27.00 t. oz.

CONDITION REPORT
Good Mexican Sterling Silver Water Pitcher. Overall Condition: Very Good. Assorted light scuffs consistent with age, with a tiny bump on the edge of the spout. Very faint vertical manufacturing seam visible up one side. Otherwise fine. Marks (impressed on the underside): “Gonzalo Moreno M / Mexico D.F.” in a circle, above “Sterling / 0.925″, “Hecho En / Mexico D.F.” and the “old style” eagle mark #11.
ESTIMATE 800 – 1200

Auction: vintage Moreno modernist silver pitcher Mexico originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on August 31, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

The number of vintage Fred Davis pieces on eBay is usually limited. Here is what’s available right now:

FRED DAVIS DESIGN VINTAGE MEXICO STERLING SILVER LADY PIN US $175.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 17:42:43 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Fred Thompson Edgartown Mass Hand Colored Photo & Postcard Davis Doorway US $19.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 18:58:26 PST   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE SIGNED FRED DAVIS DOVE BIRD HAND WROUGHT STERLING SILVER MEXICAN PIN US $850.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 6:25:48 PST   | Watch this Item

VTG Washington Redskins Bullets 1990s Fred Davis Snapback Hat Cap Darrell Green US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:19:33 PST   | Watch this Item

Mexican sterling silver & turquoise vintage pin signed Fred Davis very rare US $2,600.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:24:08 PST   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE FRED DAVIS STYLE TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER AMETHYST FLOWER PIN 15609 US $195.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 18:07:08 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Fred Davis Mexican Sterling Silver 1940s Face Ring US $49.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 6:51:20 PST   | Watch this Item

FRED DAVIS VINTAGE MEXICO MEXICAN SILVER BROOCH PIN US $297.77 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:36:44 PST   | Watch this Item

vtg 40's TAXCO 925 huge onyx BRACELET signed MEXICO sterling ESTATE fred davis? US $849.00 Auction Ends: Saturday Feb-11-2012 14:07:49 PST   | Watch this Item

VINTAGE FRED DAVIS DESIGN TAXCO MEXICAN SILVER STERLING PIN BROOCH 15023 US $295.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-20-2012 17:07:38 PST   | Watch this Item

Vintage Frederick Davis Mexican silver auctions originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on August 29, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This

This biographical information about Jean Puiforcat is excerpted from Oxford Art Online:

(b Paris, 5 Aug 1897; d Paris, 20 Oct 1945).
After service in World War I, he joined the family firm of silversmiths, working as an apprentice and designer.  Concurrently he studied sculpture with Louis-Aimé Lejeune (1884–1969).  Puiforcat designed silver objects in the Art Deco style as simple volumes with smooth profiles and surfaces and proportions based on geometric ratios.  He was a founder-member of the Union des artistes modernes. His designs were mostly for tableware, but in 1934 he exhibited liturgical silver for the first time, and the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937), Paris, included his stone sculpture of René Descartes (The Hague, Maison France).  At the onset of World War II he left France, eventually settling in Mexico (1941).  He opened a studio in 1942 and exported his silver mostly to the USA. He returned to Paris in 1945 but died immediately after his arrival.

Antiquitiesweb notes:

In Mexico, Puiforcat produced new models inspired by Mexican motifs and incorporating more flamboyant decorative details, such as studs and scalloped bands. As Puiforcat said, a piece of tableware had to accomplish its function, “but it is also a companion in our interior….A work of art must in its modest sphere elevate the soul by its beauty.”

Artcyclopedia has links to information and photographs if you’d like to learn more about Puiforcat.

It is often possible to find work by Puiforcat, both French and Mexican, on eBay:

JEAN PUIFORCAT / FRANCOISE DE BONNEVILLE / EDITIONS DU REGARD/1986 US $575.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 11:26:05 PST   | Watch this Item

A SUPERB SET 6 FRENCH SILVER DRINKING CUPS C.1930 139.4 GMS JEAN PUIFORCAT US $159.58 (19 Bids) Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 13:01:10 PST   | Watch this Item

Antique set of Art Deco Jean E. Puiforcat 1937 Modele 'Deauville' US $999.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:47:22 PST   | Watch this Item

Jean Puiforcat Cartier Sterling Silver Grooming Set US $14,500.00 Auction Ends: Saturday Feb-18-2012 8:42:00 PST   | Watch this Item

AMAZING JEAN PUIFORCAT HARVEST SILVER MEDAL PENDANT US $500.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-29-2012 15:05:33 PST   | Watch this Item

French Art Deco icon Jean Puiforcat – a short time in Mexico originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on August 19, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.Tweet This