A PAIR OF SILVER SAUCEPANS

JEAN E. PUIFORCAT, CIRCA 1942

Details
A PAIR OF SILVER SAUCEPANS
Jean E. Puiforcat, circa 1942
The covered saucepans with scalloped rims, the removable cover-knobs and handle in Brazilian rosewood, each stamped STERLING JEAN PUIFORCAT MADE IN MEXICO with two initials enclosing the Greek letter, Omega
4¾in. (12.1cm.) high, 6 1/8in. (15.5cm.) diameter; gross weight 89oz. (2767gr.) (2)
Provenance
Gina Zadek

Lot Essay

cf. Françoise de Bonneville, Jean Puiforcat, 1986, p. 175 for an illustration of the model. The ability to remove the knobs on the covers allows them to be turned over and used as small bowls.

In 1940, Jean E. Puiforcat left Europe to join his wife's family in Cuba. Fascinated by the silver and gold mining possibilities in Mexico and intrigued by the Mayans' sun worshipping culture, Puiforcat opened a workshop in Mexico in 1942; the scalloped rim design of the silver saucepans is a representation of the Mayan sun. In October 1945, Puiforcat returned to France and died several days later.