Luxe party accessories from France
1 of 3
Saint-Louis Tommy line of crystal stemware
2 of 3
Jean Puiforcat silver plate Art Deco champagne bucket
3 of 3
Tray from Puiforcat's Aussière collection
Want to entertain in high style? A pair of esteemed, old-line French firms, Puiforcat and Saint-Louis, offer the utmost in social accoutrements. Puiforcat is a Parisian firm founded in 1820 and a legendary name in European silver craftsmanship. Saint-Louis is France’s oldest and most valued cristallery, producing one-of-a-kind mouth-blown and hand-cut crystal stemware, lighting and objets since 1586.
The Saint-Louis Tommy line of crystal stemware (above), named for the British soldiers celebrated in Kipling poems, is 83 years old. The crystal is said to have received “the highest of praise” at a 1938 lunch at the Palace of Versailles attended by Britain’s King George VI. Layered crystal allows for transparency to blend with the eight colors of the Tommy line, including chartreuse, bleu and amethyst. Price: $590 each.
Jean Puiforcat (1897 – 1945) was the first to introduce Art Deco’s simple, architectural shapes in silverware during the 20th century. Puiforcat’s silver plate Art Deco champagne bucket with rosewood handles (left), is part of the line that is based on his work and modernist aesthetic. Price: $2,775.
Puiforcat’s Aussière collection—the word means “hawser” in English, a nautical term for a thick rope or cable —was created in 2006. The tray at right is made of Indian rosewood with handles of ship rope cast in solid pewter. Price: $4,700.
Saint-Louis and Puiforcat are available at Nieman Marcus and Saks in McLean, Binns in Williamsburg, Patrick’s in Alexandria and Elizabeth Interiors in Virginia Beach.
