Title:Boulenger - 126pc Original French Art Deco Sterling Silver Flatware Set, 6 Serving Pieces, circa 1920s !Description:Direct from Paris: A magnificent original antique French Art Deco sterling silver flatware set by Frances premier art deco silversmith “Adolphe Boulenger” with accompanying knife blade rests and with dessert and cheese knives with ebony handles and sterling silver blades – a total of 126 pieces. The annals of French decorative arts would be incomplete without acknowledging the monumental contributions of the House of Boulenger, a silversmith firm that epitomized the pinnacle of craftsmanship and design innovation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Operating at a time when European aristocracy and burgeoning industrial elites demanded both opulence and modernity in their tableware, Boulenger emerged as a standard-bearer of excellence in silver production. Their work represents a fascinating intersection of traditional techniques and avant-garde aesthetics, particularly within the context of the Art Deco movement that swept through Europe between the World Wars. The Evolution of Boulenger: The foundations of Boulenger's success were laid during France's Belle Époque, a period characterized by peace, prosperity, and flourishing arts. Established in the late 19th century, the firm benefited from Paris's position as the global epicenter of luxury goods production. Unlike many contemporary silversmiths who increasingly turned to mechanized production methods, Boulenger maintained a steadfast commitment to artisanal techniques while selectively incorporating technological advancements that enhanced rather than compromised quality. The Boulenger workshop operated as a traditional atelier system, where master craftsmen oversaw specialized teams of chasers, engravers, and polishers. Each piece underwent an exhaustive creation process that might involve up to thirty distinct stages of fabrication. Of particular note was their mastery of the repoussé technique, where silver sheets were painstakingly hammered from the reverse side to create intricate bas-relief designs. This demanding method, requiring exceptional skill and patience, resulted in pieces with extraordinary depth and dimensionality that machine-stamping could never replicate. The Focus on Quality: The firm's production encompassed an extraordinary range of objects - from elaborate centerpieces and tea services to more utilitarian items like flatware and candlesticks. Regardless of category, each Boulenger piece displayed certain signature characteristics: flawless weight distribution, seamless joins invisible to the naked eye, and surfaces that caught light with particular brilliance due to their specialized polishing techniques. These qualities did not emerge by accident but resulted from institutionalized quality control measures that saw pieces rejected for imperfections that other firms would have deemed acceptable. Boulenger and Art Deco: As the Art Deco movement gained momentum following the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, Boulenger found itself at the forefront of translating this bold new aesthetic into silverware design. The firm's designers demonstrated remarkable versatility in adapting Deco principles to functional objects, creating pieces that were simultaneously radical in form and perfectly suited to their intended use. Boulenger's Art Deco silverware exhibited several defining characteristics. Geometric patterning appeared in the form of stepped, concentric rectangles on handles, echoing the ziggurat motifs found in contemporary architecture. Symmetrical, angular designs replaced the flowing organic forms of earlier Art Nouveau influences. Perhaps most strikingly, Boulenger pioneered the use of negative space in flatware design, with perforated handles and openwork accents that created visual lightness without sacrificing structural integrity. The firm's 1928 "Moderne" flatware pattern serves as a quintessential example of their Art Deco innovation. Each piece featured a dramatic triangular transition between handle and functional end, with precisely calculated angles that provided both visual dynamism and ergonomic comfort. The handles bore vertical striations that caught the light differently depending on viewing angle, creating a shimmering effect across a fully set table. This pattern, while undeniably modern, avoided the cold austerity of some competing designs through subtle curvatures at stress points and carefully weighted balances that made the utensils a pleasure to use. International Acclaim: Boulenger's preeminence in the field received official recognition through an impressive array of international awards and honors. The firm's exhibition strategy focused on quality over quantity, presenting carefully curated selections at world's fairs where their pieces could be appreciated as both decorative arts and technical achievements. Their breakthrough came at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, where Boulenger received a Grand Prix for a monumental silver centerpiece featuring repoussé scenes from Greek mythology. The judging committee particularly praised the piece's harmonious proportions and the virtuosic handling of different texturing techniques within a single work. This triumph established Boulenger as a firm capable of competing with historic giants like Christofle and Odiot. Subsequent successes included gold medals at the 1910 Brussels International Exposition for a series of Renaissance-revival chalices, and at the 1925 Art Deco exhibition for their modernist cocktail shakers with integrated strainers. The latter award proved particularly significant as it affirmed Boulenger's ability to excel in both traditional and avant-garde styles simultaneously. Perhaps the most prestigious recognition came in 1937, when Boulenger received the Diplôme d'Honneur at the Paris International Exhibition for their "Contemporary Dining Suite," a complete table setting that included flatware, serving pieces, and decorative elements unified by a bold geometric aesthetic. The award citation highlighted Boulenger's "perfect marriage of French artisanal tradition with the spirit of modern design," a characterization that neatly encapsulated the firm's philosophy. These accolades translated directly into commercial success, with Boulenger pieces becoming status symbols among international elites. The firm's showrooms in Paris, London, and New York maintained waiting lists for special commissions, and their exhibition pieces often sold immediately after judging concluded. This recognition also afforded Boulenger access to the most skilled craftsmen, as apprentices coveted positions in the award-winning workshop. Royal Patronage: Boulenger's reputation for excellence naturally attracted the attention of Europe's most discerning patrons. The firm enjoyed particularly close relationships with several royal houses, including the French Orléans pretenders and the Belgian royal family. This aristocratic patronage followed established patterns of French luxury production, where royal endorsement served as the ultimate seal of quality. A surviving 1903 commission book reveals that Prince Philippe, Duke of Orléans, ordered an extensive hunting service comprising over 120 individual pieces, each decorated with his personal crest and intricate scenes of woodland game. The service required eighteen months to complete and employed seven master craftsmen exclusively. Such commissions provided Boulenger with both financial stability and priceless prestige, as royal usage effectively certified the firm's standing to other wealthy clients. Beyond traditional nobility, Boulenger cultivated relationships with the new aristocracy of industry and finance. The American Vanderbilt family acquired multiple Boulenger services during their European tours, while the Rothschild banking dynasty maintained standing orders for ceremonial presentation pieces. These clients valued Boulenger's ability to discreetly incorporate personal symbolism into designs - monograms hidden in geometric patterns, or family mottos engraved along knife blades in nearly microscopic script. The firm's royal connections peaked in 1927 with the creation of the "Jubilee Service" for King George V of England, marking his silver jubilee. While primarily an English firm produced the majority of the service, Boulenger was specially commissioned to create the dessert components due to their reputation for exquisite sugar work and delicate fruit knives. This international collaboration at the highest level testified to Boulenger's unmatched standing in certain technical specialties. Boulenger’s Art Deco Sterling Flatware: Among Boulenger's diverse production, their Art Deco-era flatware sets in 950 sterling silver represent the apotheosis of their design philosophy and technical mastery. These sets embodied the firm's ability to reconcile aesthetic innovation with practical functionality in everyday objects. The "Eclipse" pattern (1929) exemplifies Boulenger's approach. Each piece featured a handle with a graduated sunburst pattern radiating from the connection point, symbolizing the solar eclipse that had recently captivated Europe. The design required unprecedented precision in die-striking to maintain crisp definition across the complex radial lines. Boulenger achieved this through custom-made hardened steel dies and a two-stage striking process that prevented metal fatigue. The resulting pieces had a visual dynamism that changed depending on viewing angle, with light playing across the concentric grooves in mesmerizing patterns. Boulenger's flatware sets were notable for their comprehensive scope. A typical service might include up to 140 distinct pieces, ranging from standard dinner forks to specialized items like caviar spades and citrus sectioners. Each maintained perfect stylistic continuity while being ergonomically optimized for its specific function. The firm's oyster forks, for instance, had slightly concave tines to cradle shellfish more securely, while their fish knives incorporated a subtle curvature that followed the natural motion of separating flesh from bone. The manufacturing process for these sets reflected Boulenger's exacting standards. Silver ingots were hand-poured and rolled to precise thicknesses, with each blank individually inspected for crystalline consistency. Stamping occurred in hydraulic presses adjusted to specific tonnages for different pieces - greater pressure for sturdy soup spoons, lighter touches for delicate butter spreaders. After forming, pieces underwent hand-finishing where craftsmen perfected joins and smoothed edges using traditional burnishing stones. Boulenger’s Legacy: The legacy of Boulenger endures as a testament to the heights achievable when uncompromising craftsmanship intersects with visionary design. From their early mastery of traditional techniques to their leadership in Art Deco innovation, the firm consistently demonstrated an ability to evolve while maintaining core values of quality and excellence. Their numerous awards and royal commissions validated their technical prowess, while their flatware sets redefined what utilitarian objects could aspire to be aesthetically. In an era increasingly dominated by mass production and disposable goods, Boulenger's works remind us of the enduring value of objects created with care, skill, and artistic intention. Their pieces continue to grace the tables of collectors and institutions, serving as both functional tools and works of art. As scholars and connoisseurs reassess the decorative arts of the early 20th century, Boulenger's reputation only grows brighter, securing their place in the pantheon of great French silversmiths alongside the most illustrious names of previous centuries. Perhaps most impressive was Boulenger's quality assurance system. Each completed piece was examined under magnification for stress fractures, weighed to ensure proper metal distribution, and tested for balance by placing across a fulcrum. Only items passing all inspections received the firm's full hallmarks - not just the legally required purity marks, but also subtle artisan codes that identified the individual craftsmen responsible. This system created both accountability and pride among workers, with master smiths competing to have their personal marks grace the finest pieces. Today, complete Boulenger flatware sets, like this amazing art deco set, rank among the most sought-after collectibles in the silver market. Auction prices have appreciated steadily, with a 1935 "Horizon" service selling for €280,000 at a Sotheby's Paris sale. Museums including the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London have acquired representative examples for their permanent collections. Contemporary designers continue to study Boulenger's work, particularly their innovative approaches to weight distribution and tactile ergonomics that modern manufacturers still struggle to replicate. This amazing art deco sterling set is a stunning example of the quality and craftsmanship for which Boulenger is internationally known. Each of the main sterling pieces bears the French government’s Head of the Minerva 1 hallmark in addition to the Boulenger sterling silver manufacturer’s hallmark, but the blades silver blades of the ebony handled knives bear a different manufacturer’s hallmark – E.G. perhaps for Emile Guillemat. The set includes the following (all weights and measures approximate): 12 Dinner Knives 25.20 cm. 70 grams 12 Dinner Forks 21.50 cm. 77 grams 12 Tablespoons 21.50 cm. 84 grams 12 Luncheon Knives 18.20 cm. 27 grams 12 Dessert / Luncheon Forks 16.50 cm. 39 grams 12 Dessert / Luncheon Spoons 16.50 cm. 44 grams 12 Dessert Knives - Silver Blades & Ebony Handles 20.00 cm. 27 grams 12 Cheese Knives - Silver Blades & Ebony Handles 20.00 cm. 27 grams 12 Teaspoons 14.20 cm. 32 grams 12 Knife Blade Rests - Bone 10.00 cm. 14 grams 1 Large Salad Serving Spoon 26.00 cm. 120 grams 1 Large Salad Serving Fork 26.00 cm. 119 grams 1 Large Soup / Stew Serving Ladle 33.00 cm. 263 grams 1 Large Serving Spoon 26.70 cm. 134 grams 1 Large Meat Serving Fork 27.00 cm. 107 grams 1 Large Meat Serving Knife 31.50 cm. 90 gramsMaker/Designer: BoulengerOrigin:FranceDate/Period:20th CenturySilver Purity:950Size:126Hallmarks:Boulenger, Minerve 1
Reserve: $25,200.00
Shipping:Domestic: Free shipping to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.Location: This item ships from Paris, France
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item. 
