Silverware

Four cataloged auctions each year

These auctions feature silverware made of solid silver, silver-plated metal, or vermeil, as well as gold and other precious metal jewelry. The diversity of the pieces presented at these auctions—which bring together French and foreign creations, ranging from the oldest models to contemporary designs—attracts a large number of enthusiasts and collectors. Some seek out pieces dating from before the 19th century, of which very few remain today due to numerous royal requisitions and the melting down of silverware to finance wartime expenses at the time. Among the pieces that have been preserved are mainly liturgical objects used in worship, as well as soldiers’ mementos, such as cutlery or snuffboxes. Enthusiasts of modern silverware are primarily interested in the creations of the leading silversmithing houses—Christofle, Odiot, and Puiforcat—which distinguished themselves particularly during the modernist movements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

A Word from the Expert

“Interest in silverware today extends far beyond the realm of collecting. Buyers are no longer just knowledgeable enthusiasts searching for that rare piece missing from their chronological or thematic collection. New clients who appreciate a certain art of living are now seeking aesthetically pleasing and unique pieces to use at dinner parties or even in everyday life. There is a real craze for silverware related to the art of the table, from all eras, and some significant silverware sets can now fetch several thousand euros.”