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.
Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box
By Christofle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Signed Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Decorative Box. Nicely cast with beautiful design. This would have held cigarettes or trinkets. In very good...
Silver Plate
Art Deco Christofle Boreal Silver Plated Fish Serving Set Design Luc Lanel
By Christofle, Luc Lanel
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant Art Deco silver-plated fish serving set by Christofle is part of the "Boréal" model, designed by the renowned Luc Lanel, celebrated for his modern and timeless designs. ...
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
Christofle K&T Silver-Plate 3 Tier Cantilever Box Desk Accessory 90's French
By Christofle, Adam Tihany
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous signed Christofle 3-tiered silver-plate box, desk accessory, cocktail table addition and or barware, serving piece cantilevers out. It was designed by KT Studio in 1998...
Silver Plate
1930's Copper Boxe with Silver Inlaid by Maison Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
Rare vide poche boxe in copper and silver inlaid by Christofle Paris. Good condition.
Copper
$3,025 / 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
Art Nouveau Rectangular Silver Plate Jewelry Box, France
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French rectangular silver box is heavily decorated in the typical styles of this Art Nouveau period. The box has vintage red velvet interior and the original hardware with a wor...
Silver Plate
Christofle Silver Plated Metal Box, 60s
By Christofle
Located in Catania, IT
Apple” Christofle box in good condition in silver metaL.
Metal
$409
H 5.52 in Dm 7.88 in
Christian Dior for Dior Hone Silver Plate Decorative Box Pumpkin Design, 1970s
By Christian Dior, Dior Home
Located in Naples, IT
Elegant decorative box in the shape of a pumpkin designed by Christian Dior for his 1970s Home collection. This beautiful decorative box with lid...
Silver Plate
20th Cebtury Italian Solid Silver Vintage Decorative Box
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative pumpkin-shaped 800 solid silver box. The body of the box is round and has been embossed and chiseled with the typical stripes of the pumpkin. The knob is cast and has th...
Silver
$750
H 1.25 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in
French Tortoise Shell Circular Box With Inlaid Silver Top Depicting Fox & Stork
Located in San Francisco, CA
French Tortoise Shell Circular Box With Inlaid Silver Top Depicting Fox & Stork
Tortoise Shell
$1,856
H 3.55 in W 2.76 in D 3.15 in
Antique Silver BOX Decorative Box, Sterling Silver Jewllery Box Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique valuable handmade sterling silver box or Decorative jewllery box with Illustration pressed, cast and chased. Rectangular body on short, curved feet with hinged, vaulted lid. ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Art Deco Box in Silver Plate 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Wonderful art deco box in silver plate, mid 20th century. This is a fine art deco style decorative silver plated box with a very distinct sunburst design. Great as a decorative box...
Silver Plate
$916Sale Price|49% Off
H 6.7 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Brass
$590
H 1.03 in W 7.56 in D 4.06 in
Vintage Mexican Box with Stone Mosaic Copper Silver & Brass Details Taxco
By Los Castillos, Taxco
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite vintage box from Mexico features a richly textured stone mosaic design on its surface, combining deep shades of blue and green. The geometric ornamentation is crafted ...
Stone, Multi-gemstone, Metal, Brass, Silver, Copper
French Modernist Silver Plated Cigar Box by Crevillen, Paris c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A lovely quality mid-century modern oval cigar box made from silver plate and signed on the underside "Crevillen, Paris". They were famed in the 1960's and 1970's for making quality...
Silver Plate
$2,650
H 1 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Vintage 1950's Mexican Box of Brass Decorated with Marble, Copper, Silver
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Created by the Los Castillo of Mexico, decorative box dating from the 1950s. The hand-wrought box is in mixed-metal inlays of copper, brass, silver plate and sodalite with a rosewood...
Silver, Brass, Copper
Sold
H 5.12 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in
Refined Early 20th Century Gallia Metal Biscuit Box by Christofle, France
By Gallia, Christofle
Located in Knivsta, SE
Refined Early 20th Century Gallia Metal Biscuit Box by Christofle, France Exquisite early 20th century biscuit box crafted in Gallia metal for the renowned French silversmith Chris...
Silver Plate
Rare Silver Plated Aria Cigar Tube - Orfèvrerie Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous vintage silver plated individual cigar case, an iconic design from the late 20th century c.1980's fully marked by the famous top-notch Fre...
Silver Plate
Gio Ponti Design Apple-Shaped Box for Christofle, 1960s
By Christofle, Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This exquisite piece showcases Ponti's timeless design aesthetic and the unparalleled craftsmanship of Christofle. The box features a charming apple shape, embodying Ponti's whimsic...
Metal, Silver Plate
1990s Modern Silver Plated French Jewelry Box by Studio K.T for Christofle
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini, Adam Tihany
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...
Silver Plate
Rare Christofle Laque de Chine Box - Sienna.
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A rarely found piece of Christofle "Laque de Chine", part of the Talisman range by the creme de la creme of French silversmiths, Christofle of Paris. The body is made from silver ...
Silver Plate
Christofle, Paris, Art Deco Silver Plated Tea Caddy
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A rarely found French silver plated tea caddy or cannister dating to c.1940 / 1950. Beautifully decorated with engine turning and fully marked on the underside by Maison, Christof...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 4 in W 7 in D 4 in
Rare Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ormolu Box by Emile-Auguste Reiber and Christofle
By Emile Reiber, Christofle
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rare gilt and patinated bronze Ormolu box by Emile-Auguste Reiber and Christofle, Paris, around 1880, Reddish-brown patinated background with vegetal-floral overlays, partly gilde...
Bronze, Ormolu
Christofle, Paris, Ribbed Solid / Sterling Silver Card Case
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A smart twentieth century card case made from sterling / 925 silver, fully marked and signed by this luxury French silversmith. Beautiful condition measuring 3 5/8" x 2 3/8" x 1/4...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 4.34 in W 8.86 in D 5.71 in
Andrée Putman for Christofle Silver Plate and Black Lacquer Vertigo Box
By Christofle, Andree Putman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant silver plate and black lacquered wood decorative lidded box from the Vertigo Collection, designed by Andrée Putman for French silversmith Christofle. Geometric shape with min...
Silver Plate, Metal
Christofle France Silver Plate and Wood Box
By Christofle
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful silver plate and wood lidded box by Christofle, France. A streamlined rounded shape with a smooth wood body and shiny silver-plated metal lid. Perfect for vanity or dresser...
Silver Plate, Metal
Vintage French Silver Plated Cigar Case, Christofle, Paris
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous vintage silver plated individual cigar case, an iconic design from the late 20th century circa 1980s fully marked by the famous top-notch ...
Silver Plate
Christofle Silver Plate And Lucite Decorative Box
By Christofle
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful and classic decorative box by Christofle, circa 1970s. Lucite and silverplated brass.
Lucite