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.
Small Christofle Art Deco hammered metal piece - J715
By Christofle
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Small Art Deco style bowl from the 1940s or 1950s, signed Christofle. Entirely crafted from hammered metal using the *dinanderie* technique, it features a decorative pattern around t...
Metal
Antique Christofle Gallia French Art Nouveau Silver Plated Fruit Basket w Handle
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Christofle Gallia French Art Nouveau Silver Plated Fruit Basket w/ Handle. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 8" H x 11" W x 7.25" D.
Silver Plate
Vintage Christofle Woven Metal Basket, Gold-Tone, Mid 20th Century
By Christofle
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elegant Christofle oval basket featuring interwoven metal bands framed by bundled borders with diagonal wrapping details. An arched swing handle with a coiled grip complements the ba...
Metal
Art Nouveau Silver Metal Planter by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Christofle Art Nouveau Silver Metal Planter Elegant Art Nouveau silver metal planter with removable tray, intricately designed with a scalloped edge and stands on four curved legs, e...
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Woven Reed Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-20th century Chinese woven reed gathering basket with a thick bentwood handle attached with simple iron straps, and covered in lacquered fa...
Reed
French Art Deco Hand-Hammered Iron and Glass Vase Signed Lorrain
By Lorrain
Located in New York City, NY
A fine Lorrain Nancy / School of Nancy original, hand-hammered wrought iron framed Art Deco glass vase with handblown mottled glass inset in colorful shades of orange, blue / green ...
Art Glass
$2,997 / set
H 1.97 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
12-Piece Art Deco Silver-Plated Knife Rests Set in the Manner of Christofle
By Christofle
Located in London, GB
A 12-piece Art Deco silver-plated knife rests set in the manner of Christofle French, Early 20th Century Case: 5cm high x 24cm wide x 24 in depth. Elephant: 3cm high x 9cm wide x ...
Silver, Silver Plate
Silver Plated Metal 1960s Bowl & Box by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 2 silver plated metal decorative objects: a "leave" bowl and an "apple" box from the '60s. Pretty good condition: the bowl show light defect on one side as showed in the pictu...
Silver Plate, Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Woven Reed Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-20th century Chinese woven reed gathering basket with a bentwood handle attached with simple iron straps.
Reed
Antique Chinese Woven River Basket, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Centuries ago, a woven reed fisherman’s basket such as this would have been common in rural China as an everyday item, used until it became worn through. A testament to the weaver's ...
Reed, Wood
Vintage Chinese Handwoven Wicker Swan Basket, Mid 20th Century
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Chinese Handwoven Wicker Swan Basket, Mid 20th Century Vintage Chinese handwoven wicker swan basket, mid 20th century, made in natural woven reed and rattan with a sculptural bird f...
Rattan
Swedish 20th century hand woven linen basket
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 20th century hand woven linen basket circa 1900. Good quality piece of early 20th century scandinavian traditional life. Shaped like a Moses basket...
Pine
Mid-20th Century Chinese Woven Reed Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-20th century Chinese woven reed basket with a rolled banded top wrapped in flat reeds.
Reed
Italian Wall-Mounted Green Metal Waste Basket, Mid-20th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Functional and sculptural wall-mounted waste basket produced in Italy, mid-20th century. Crafted from perforated and expanded metal sheet, the basket features a trapezoidal form with...
Metal
1920s Art Deco Lidded Bowl, Hand-Hammered Tin with Squirrel Handle
By GAB, Georg Jensen, Mogens Ballin, Svenskt Tenn, Just Andersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique 1920s Art Deco hand-hammered surface bowl. Lid with a sitting squirrel as the top handle. Designed in the style of Just Andersen, Georg Jensen, GAB and Svenkt Tenn. Can be po...
Metal, Tin, Pewter
French Art Nouveau Silver Plate Bowl with with Floral Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Silver plate Art Nouveau Decorative Bowl or Center piece. The curvaceous floral and vine details give the the classic art nouveau. A wonderful Vessel for a unique floral a...
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Woven Chinese Rice Basket
Located in Chireno, TX
Mid-20th century woven Chinese rice basket with handle. Hand-woven willow with elm handle. Beautiful faded patina and texture from decades of w...
Elm, Willow
Mid-20th Century Chinese Woven Reed Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-20th century Chinese woven reed gathering basket with a thick bentwood handle attached to a thick heavy band with woven reed lacing.
Reed
$450
H 12.5 in W 14 in D 4.5 in
Early 20th Century Hand-Woven Thai Fishing Basket, Reed, Vintage Decor
Located in Wainscott, NY
Early 20th century hand-woven Thai fishing basket, reed, vintage decor Beautiful patina very good vintage condition for a basket which has been used and loved by human hands. Mad...
Reed
French Silverplate Woven Basket, Christofle Gallia
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible vintage silver plated basket by Christofle Gallia from France. Rectangular basket made of woven silver plate with nice ribbed edge detailing. Finish shows nice age and pat...
Silver Plate
Silvered Bronze and Crystal Cup by Christofle, 19th Century.
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Silvered Bronze and Crystal Cup by Christofle, 19th Century. " Bronze cup by the Maison Christofle in silvered bronze and crystal, 19th century antique, Napoleon III period. h: 16...
Crystal, Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in W 18.12 in D 11.42 in
Christofle Basket Weave Bowl Centerpiece Server Fruit Bread Silver Plate
By Christofle
Located in Labrit, Landes
Christofle basket weave serving bowl fruit bread, late 19th century early 20th century High quality silver plate Good and heavy Marked Christofle and numbered for turn of the cen...
Silver Plate