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.
$3,600 / set
Pair Christofle Silver Candlestick Lamps
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
Pair Christofle silver candlestick lamps. Vintage Christofle boudoir/dressing table or dining table lamps in a subtle dot or strawberry seed p...
Silver
$6,500 / set
Pair of Gio Ponti Candelabra Fleche Lamps
By Gio Ponti, Christofle
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of early edition Gio Ponti candelabra fleche lamps, an original cornucopia design of interlaced tapered horns framing a single arrow, imagine...
Pewter
Art Nouveau Table Lamps by Christofle, Silverplated, Austria, 1910
By Christofle
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of silverplated Art Nouveau lamps. The vines ends in 2 flowers that are the shades of the lamp. Signed Christofle. Austria, CIRCA 1910.
Metal
Christofle Silvered Candlestick Lamp in the Baroque Style
By Christofle
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Louis XIV style silvered candlestick by Christofle, converted to a lamp, with a new pleated silk shade. The base of the candlestick is stamped with the shield and rooster mark...
Metal
Lino Sabattini Table Lamp for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Lino Sabattini Silver Plated Table Lamp by Christofle, France 1960s. Silver plated tube with Perspex middle section.
Silver Plate
Beautiful Silvered Metal Christofle Lamp
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
Silvered metal lamp by Christofle, France with a plexiglass base probably designed by Sabattini.
'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Glendale, CA
'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide. Originally designed in 1986, the authorized re-edition of this table lamp is still made in Italy today using only the finest quality materials and scrupulous attention to detail by Artemide. 'Shogun' is part of the Artemide masterpieces collection and is featured in the collections of museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The lamp remains an icon, and a stunning work of contemporary design. Its adjustable shade marries functionality with design eloquently. Mario Botta was born in 1943 in Mendrisio, Switzerland. In his work he took inspiration from such masters as Le Corbusier, Louis I...
Metal, Steel
Gad Aulenti Table Lamp for Artemide
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The "Pileino" is a small, versatile table lamp that allows the user to change both light intensity and direction by positioning the shade. Designed by Gae Aulenti for Artemide in 197...
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
H 18 in Dm 10 in
Austrian Art Nouveau Table Lamp w/ Original Hand Blown Iridescent Glass Shade
By Loetz Glass
Located in Petaluma, CA
A fine example of Art Nouveau lighting. The bronze base is richly patinated and beautifully cast with an art nouveau design. The shade is a deep g...
Bronze
Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely period Austrian Art Nouveau bronze table lamp. This beautifully detailed, high quality Austrian bronze lamp has been newly wired and would w...
Bronze
Pair of Art Nouveau Lamps by Denbac, France, C1910
By Denbac
Located in Trensacq, FR
Art Nouveau lamps by Denbac France C1910 A pair of beautiful Art Nouveau lamps from Denbac, France c1910. Flamed sandstone urns shaped lamp bases with distinguishing drip glazed dec...
Sandstone, Brass
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' Table Lamp in White for Artemide
By Giancarlo Mattioli, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' table lamp in white for Artemide. With its mushroom shape and bright hues, the Nessino lamp has become a design icon. Introduced in 1967, the Nessino wa...
Plastic
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' Table Lamp in Red for Artemide
By Giancarlo Mattioli, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' table lamp in red for Artemide. With its mushroom shape and bright hues, the Nessino lamp has become a design icon. Introduced in 1967, the Nessino was ...
Plastic
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' Table Lamp in Chrome for Stilnovo
By Joe Colombo, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Joe Colombo 'Minitopo' table lamp in chrome for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Midcentury era, pro...
Metal, Chrome
Art Nouveau lamp circa 1910
Located in NANTES, FR
Beautiful Art Nouveau lamp, circa 1910. Brown-veined alabaster shell. The base is bronze with floral decoration. Electric and in perfect condition. Total Height: 52 cm Shell Diamete...
Alabaster, Bronze
$1,740
H 13.39 in Dm 4.34 in
Art Nouveau Table Lamp by Muller Frères for Hettier & Vincent, France ca. 1910
By Hettier & Vincent, Muller Frères
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1910 / Table lamp / Muller Frères / glass and metal / Art Nouveau A magnificent and authentic French Art Nouveau table lamp, crafted circa 1910 by the esteemed glassmakers ...
Wrought Iron
$4,813 / set
H 12.8 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Rare Pair of 1879 James Bembridge Sterling Silver Corinthian Candlestick Lamps
By James Kebberling Bembridge
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare pair of original 1879 James Kebberling Bembridge sterling silver Corinthian pillared candlestick lamps fully hallmarked...
Sterling Silver
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' Table Lamp in White for Artemide
By Giancarlo Mattioli, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' table lamp in white for Artemide. Designed by Mattioli in the 1960s, the Nesso is now an internationally celebrated design. Its iconic curves inspired by...
Plastic
Sold
H 15.36 in Dm 3.35 in
20th Century Lino Sabattini Pair of Table Lamps in Silver for Christofle, 70s
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Turin, Turin
Lino Sabattini was an Italian artist. He worked at a brassware store, where he also learned metalworking techniques. At the age of 30 he moved to Milan, where he opened a small works...
Metal
1990 Rare Candelabra "HO" by Ora-Ïto for Christofle Signed
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Nature is for Ora-Ïto an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Indoor sculpture, this candelabra shows a free aesthetic interaction between the idea of ??a wild nature, the tree stru...
Silver
Sold
H 21.66 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
19th Century French Silvered Bronze Pair of Candelabras by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century French silvered bronze pair of six-lights candelabras by Christofle Finely chiseled and designed with laurels, ribbons on an open-wo...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Silver Plated Lamp, Signed Christofle, 19th Century
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis XV style silver plated lamp standing on a chantourné base. The main structure is in candlestick shape, adorned with tumultuous patterns, cut leaves, and chaplet with beads and ...
Metal