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.
Christofle, "President" Table Clock, France 1980s
By Christofle
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb "Président" model table clock from the Christofle factory in France. Created in the 80s. Art Deco style. Base and columns in silver-plated metal, hallmarked by the manufacture...
Metal, Silver Plate
Swatch Wall Clock Maxi 1980s
By Swatch
Located in Čelinac, BA
Swatch wall clock maxi 1980s
Plastic
$917
H 6.7 in W 8.08 in D 2.17 in
Postmodern Japanese Black Yellow Pyramide Table Clock Makiko Taniguchi, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Japanese Black and Yellow Pyramide Table Clock from Makiko Taniguchi, 1980s
Metal
Glass Table Clock by Cleto Munari, Italy, 1980s
By Cleto Munari
Located in Milan, IT
Tiny glass table clock by Cleto Munari. Heavy transparent sphere with silver stripe lays on a black glass plinth.
Silver
1980s Postmodern Red Wall Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A super fun new old stock 1980s or 1990s clock. Red case, white face with stylized black numbers, and red hands. In very good vintage and unused condition in original box. Takes a si...
Plastic
Radical Memphis style table clock, lacquered metal, 1980s
By Memphis Group
Located in taranto, IT
Table clock in full Radical Memphis style, produced in the early 1980s, postmodern, made of lacquered metal, with white dial on black background. Designer's signature visible on the ...
Metal
Radical Memphis style table lamp clock, lacquered metal, 1980s
By Memphis Group
Located in taranto, IT
Table lamp clock in full Radical Memphis style, produced in the early 1980s, postmodern, made of lacquered metal, with white lamp-shaped dial on black background. Signature "Missiani...
Metal
1980s Postmodern Black Empire Art Products Clock
By Empire Art Products Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A postmodern 1980s Empire Art Products clock looks like it could be straight out of a Swatch store or Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Black frame, yellow, blue, and red h...
Glass, Wood
Radical Memphis style table lamp clock, lacquered metal, 1980s
By Memphis Group
Located in taranto, IT
Table lamp clock in full Radical Memphis style, produced in the early 1980s, postmodern, made of lacquered metal, with red lamp-shaped dial on black background. Signature "Missiani" ...
Metal
1980s Postmodern Chrome Rocking Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic postmodern vintage desk, mantel, or shelf clock in the style of Shohei Mihara’s designs for Wakita. With a black face, red, white and yellow hands, and chrome rocking b...
Metal, Chrome
Postmodern Wall Clock, 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
This postmodern clock is part of a unique series of24 hand made wall and table clocks bz the young designer ERNEST hofman from 1980. Each clock is unique.
Wood
1980s Wakita Spring Table Clock
By Shohei Mihara, Wakita
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking postmodern table clock by Wakita featuring a sculptural white coiled spring base supporting a minimalist white face. The clean circular dial displays simple gray dot hour ...
Metal
1980s French Postmodern Mantle Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sculptural French postmodern mantel clock with blue and splatter painted supports, gray face and accents, and black numbers and hands. A fantastically contrasting low triangular s...
Wood
Christofle Silver Boulle Desk Clock
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
A contemporary French Christofle silver plated desk or accent clock in its original box, bag and protection sticker on the glass. A timeless decorative piece and gift idea for bedroo...
Glass
Silver Desk Clock by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Milan, IT
Marvelous desk clock by Christofle. Streamlined piece with silver elements.
Silver