Puiforcat French First Standard (.950) Silver Bonbonnière, Paris, c. 1923, Retailed by Grogan Company, Pittsburgh, PA

This amazing, large covered box is a striking example of great art deco silver. The polished squat globular body has a highly reflective surface.

Twenty cabochon lapis lazuli stones of varying colors and striations are set into roundels.

The removable cover has a central handle of a flower with the leaves flowing outward and a central carved lapis lazuli bud.

The plain surface enhances the bold decoration, not to mention the beautiful blue of the semiprecious stones.

Jean Puiforcat created some of the world's finest art deco silver. An identical example of this bonbonnière is pictured in Jean Puiforcat and dated 1923.(1) 

For a brief period in the 1920's, Grogan Company, Pittsburgh's leading jeweler, retailed Puiforcat silver to its wealthy clientele. Typically, these are conservative, historically inspired pieces. In 1920's Pittsburgh, this bonbonnière made a bold statement of modern design - as it still does today.

This rare art deco box is stamped with the 'EP' maker's mark along with the French first standard silver mark. This designates the silver content to be .950 - a higher grade than sterling. The cover is also stamped with the standard mark. The underside of the body is also engraved by the famous retailer 'GROGAN COMPANY/ PITTSBURGH/ STERLING-PARIS'. The box measures 7 inches wide by 4.25 inches high and is in excellent condition.

Endnote:

1. Francoise De Bonneville, Jean Puiforcat, (Paris: Spadem/ Editions Du Regard, 1986), p. 79.