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Christofle

French

Although he started his career as a jeweler in 1830 — after apprenticing with his copper jeweler brother-in-law years earlier — Charles Christofle (1805–63) recognized that Second Empire France had an untapped audience for luxury silverware and tableware.

Gold and silver gilt had been the high-end standard in the 18th century, yet society after the Industrial Revolution demanded a more affordable, but still refined, approach. So in the 1840s, Christofle cornered the market on electrolytic gilding and silver plating, dominating the hold on patents in the country for over a decade. His work soon attracted the attention of Louis-Philippe I and then Napoleon III, under whom he was named Fournisseur de l’Empereur, cementing the prestige of his brand.

While Christofle created decadent centerpieces and tableware for the French palaces — as well as prominent clients like the Orient Express — the company’s electroplating of silverware that was far less expensive than that made by silversmiths attained widespread popularity. At a time when many who could not afford gold or silver still used wooden utensils, Christofle was a game changer for at-home dining. An appearance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago furthered the company’s reach to American consumers who would soon rival the manufacturer’s European clientele.

The 20th century saw Christofle adapting to changing tastes in its offerings, such as the Aria collection, which debuted in 1985 with column-like lines on its flatware designed by Bernard Yot, and the playful egg-shaped silverware container introduced in 2015 that opens to reveal a full flatware set. The company also now sells barware, home accessories and even jewelry, harkening back to its roots. Now almost two centuries old, Christofle maintains its reputation as a leading flatware and silverware company under the ownership of the Chalhoub group, its utensils gracing tables in homes, hotels and restaurants all over the world.

Shop authentic Christofle serveware, ceramics, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$1,298
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Luc Lanel, champagne / wine cooler, Christofle France 1930s.
By Luc Lanel, Christofle
Located in Stockholm, SE
Luc Lanel (1893-1966) was the artistic director at Christofle, from 1922-1942, This rare, beautiful Art Deco wine cooler, model “Ondulations” was originally designed for the ocean ...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Christofle

Materials

Silver Plate

Sculptural Silver Plate Modernist "Mars" Vase by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1950s
By Christofle, Gio Ponti
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Silver Plate Modernist "Mars" Vase by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1950s
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Christofle

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

1990s Modern Silver Plated French Jewelry Box by Studio K.T for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Adam Tihany, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish three-level round silver-plated box, designed by KT Studio for Christofle in 1998 with input from Thomas Keller and Adam Tihany, is a remarkable piece of modernist craftsma...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Christofle

Materials

Silver Plate

Christofle, Paris - Rare Grand Art Deco Tray c.1940
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
An absolutely stunning large silver plated tray with a striking border and two grand shaped palm leaf handles by Maison Christofle of Paris. Just back from our silversmiths workshop where it has been overhauled, professionally deep cleaned and polished, restoring it to it's former glory. The underside is signed with various Orfèvrerie Christofle...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Christofle

Materials

Silver Plate

Charles CHRISTOFLE Napoleon III Silverplate Bronze Centerpiece, 1856
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Napoleon III silverplate bronze centerpiece, 1856 by Charles CHRISTOFLE, France, 1856. Silverplate bronze and frosted crystal. Height: 7.7"(19.5cm), Width: 18.1"(46cm), Depth: 11"(28...
Category

1850s French Napoleon III Antique Christofle

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate, Bronze

Christofle Gallia Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler - Ormesson
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning vintage champagne bucket in silver plate, a hefty quality piece by the famous French Orfevrerie Christofle of Paris. This design is c...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Christofle

Materials

Silver Plate

"Orly" Cutlery Set 89 Pieces, Lino Sabattini Christofle 1957, Silver Plated
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in NANTES, FR
"Orly" cutlery set 124 pieces, Lino Sabattini Christofle 1957, Silver Plated" Magnificent cutlery set, Orly model, creation by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, with 89 pieces for twel...
Category

1950s French Art Deco Vintage Christofle

Materials

Silver Plate

Sue et Mare for Orfèvrerie Gallia / Maison Christofle, Art Deco Jug c.1925
By Sue et Mare, Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A highly sought-after silver plated jug designed by the famous French designers (see below) Louis Süe and André Mare for the Orfèvrerie Gallia / Maison Christofle c.1925. Just back from our silversmith's workshop, it has been professionally cleaned and polished, restoring it to it's former glory; any shading are reflections; minor wear to the interior commensurate with age and use. A magnificent piece of history and as relevant for today's interiors as it was nearly 100 years ago. Excellent condition spanning 7 1/2" handle to spout x 4" x 7" tall. Any black marks seen on the body of the jug / pitcher are shadows not marks. Item: 44016 FREE Worldwide Registered Airmail Directly From the UK Sue et Mare The spirit of collaboration was alive in the age of Art Deco. No duo quite exemplified this ideal more than the one known as Süe et Mare. Taking their knowledge of fine art and their shared experiences in the war with them, Louis Süe and André Mare were able to shape trends in the shift from Art Nouveau to Art Deco and beyond. Their designs, inspired by Cubism, excited the Paris Salon of the time and remain relevant even today. Louis Süe was born in Bordeaux in 1875 to a wine merchant and his wife. Drawn to the arts, Süe abandoned a path which would have led him into the École Polytechnique to attend the École des Beaux-Arts in 1893. There he studied painting as well as architecture design, and in 1902 was able to exhibit with a number of his contemporaries in the Salon des Indépendants and the Salon d’Automne. After working in various Parisian artists’ workshops and spending time in Vienna (where he was introduced to Cubism), Süe joined L’Atelier Français, an interior design firm made up of a number of his contemporaries, and where he first met André Mare. André Mare was born in the Norman town of Argentan in 1885. Feeling stifled by his conventional upbringing, he left in 1904 to enroll in the École des Arts Decoratifs. In 1906, Mare also exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants and the Salon d’Automne, showing his furniture design and setting himself apart as a leader among his cohort. In 1912, along with Marcel Duchamp and others (and concurrent to his involvement with L’Atelier Français) Mare created La Maison Cubiste, a section at that year’s Salon d’Automne dedicated to radical interior design. The outbreak of the First World War briefly interrupted the two men’s collaboration. Süe was drafted into the French Army and served in the Greek campaign. Mare, meanwhile, developed new camouflage techniques for the French, British, and Italian armies using his knowledge of Cubism. But this function did not keep him from the front. In 1916, he was wounded by shrapnel in Picardy while helping establish a lookout post, and in the same year was awarded the Military Cross by George V of England. In 1919, Süe and Mare resumed their professional relationship by cooperating with Gustave Jaulmes on designing the victory celebrations in Paris for the war’s end. The next year the pair founded the Compagnie des arts français, focusing on creating designs for furnishings and interior accessories. While adhering to the Art Deco style, their designs were more conventional, harking back to the Louis XIV and earlier periods, and less focused on geometric intricacy. Highly decorative, their pieces featured flair such as sculpted floral and fruit motifs, scalloped edges, and inlays of ivory and mother of pearl. Working primarily as decorators and furniture designers, Süe and Mare did find time to continue participating in exhibitions, particularly the 1925 Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes, where they constructed an actual museum of contemporary art. Other projects included the booth for the Ambassade de France and the interiors of the steamship SS Île de France.
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Christofle

Materials

Silver Plate

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Christofle Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$968BarwareSilver Platec.1935
2025$2,300Tea SetsSilver Plate1910
2025$720Picture FramesChrome, Metal, Glass, Brasscirca 1970
2025$1,500Crystal ServewareSilver Plate, Crystal1890s
2025$500Wine CoolersSilver Platecirca 1980's
2025$1,460Serving BowlsSilver Plate, Glass1980
2025$1,500CandlesticksSilver Plateca. 1970s
2025$133Sheffield and SilverplateSilver Plate1980s
2025$440Sheffield and SilverplateSilver Plate20th Century
2025$1,196Decorative Baskets, Sheffield and SilverplateSilver Plate1900s
2025$1,100Barware, Wine CoolersSilver Platecirca 1960
2025$4,760TablewareSilver Plate1910
2025$770VasesMetal1950s
2025$1,160VasesMetal, Silver Platecirca 1950
2025$835Tea Sets, Sterling SilverSilver PlateEarly 20th Century
2025$150Sheffield and SilverplateSilver Platecirca 1950's
2025$1,200Platters and ServewareSilver Plate1998
2025$1,350Tea SetsSilver PlateC.1935
2025$2,100Tea SetsSilver Plate1910
2025$2,500Sheffield and SilverplateSilver PlateNEW
$1,298
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$150-$7,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Christofle

Christofle furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Christofle furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Christofle furniture, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Christofle were created in the Art Deco style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Lalique, Cartier, and Charles Schneider. Prices for Christofle furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $92 and can go as high as $150,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,668.
Questions About Christofle
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Christofle is made in France. This company is renowned for its luxury tableware and flatware and has been based in Paris, France since it was founded in 1830. Browse a collection of authentic Christofle pieces from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    To identify a Christofle, examine it closely in search of the maker's marks. Prior to 1935, Christofle typically marked its silverware with a balance and the initials “OC.” Later pieces will generally display a chess piece with the same initials. Examples of these marks are available on the official Christofle website for you to compare to the markings on your piece. For further assistance making an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Christofle silver wares.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Christofle is known for designing luxury silverware and tableware. At a time when many who could not afford gold or silver still used wooden utensils, Christofle was a game changer for at-home dining. The 20th century saw Christofle adapting to changing tastes in its offerings, such as the Aria collection, which debuted in 1985 with column-like lines on its flatware designed by Bernard Yot, and the playful egg-shaped silverware container introduced in 2015 that opens to reveal a full flatware set. The company also now sells barware, home accessories and even jewelry, harkening back to the roots of founder Charles Christofle, who got his start as a copper jeweler apprentice. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Christofle pieces.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024
    Yes, Christofle is real silver. The French silversmith produces pieces out of sterling silver that are roughly 93% pure silver and 7% copper. In addition, Christofle offers silver-plate items, which have a thin layer of 99.9% fine silver over a base metal. Explore a selection of Christofle silver wares on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify Christofle silverware, first find its maker's mark. On pieces produced before 1935, you'll normally find a balance stamp along with the initials “OC.” Later pieces show a chess piece along with the “OC” initials. The official Christofle website has a reference page with images of its various markings that can assist with the identification process. To determine what pattern your silverware is, examine images posted in identification guides found on various trusted online resources. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also be of help in identifying Christofle silverware. Explore a large collection of Christofle silver on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To identify Christofle cutlery, look for maker’s marks. Depending on the age of your piece, the marking may be "GC," "CC" or "Christofle." Alternately, pieces from the Gallia line may only say "Gallia." If you wish to learn the style name of your silverware, compare it to images shared by trusted online resources. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also be of assistance. Explore a diverse assortment of Christofle silverware on 1stDibs.

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