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 by Christofle, Silver Plate, 1960s Italy
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
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.
Mid-Century Cocoon Cream Base Table Lamp by Castiglioni, Italy 1960s
By Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful Mid-Century cocoon table lamp with a cream colored plastic base. This incredibly sylish and unique table lamp was designed by Castiglioni and produced by Flos in Italy dur...
Metal
Midcentury Wicker and Rattan Italian Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury wicker and rattan table lamp. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1960s. Having a wicker lampshade, the light diffusion is incredibly warm and...
Bamboo, Wicker, Straw, Rattan
Italian Vintage Chrome Lamp, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century Italian vintage tubular chrome table or desk lamp circa 1960s. We are an exhibition space and an online destination established by Jonathan Amar Studio. All our piec...
Chrome
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
$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
1960s French Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage ceramic lamp from Vallauris, France, 1960's. Glazed ceramic base and handle in light grey coloring. Lovely circular appliqué details on handle and neck. Newly rewired with ne...
Ceramic, Linen
Large Gatto Beige Cocoon Table Lamps by Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 1960s
By Flos, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent first edition large Gatto cocoon table lamps designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and produced by Flos in Italy during the 1960s. The lamps are signed inside....
Metal
20th Century Pair of Silver Plated Flower Lamps, Spain, 1960s
By Valmazan
Located in Paris, FR
20th Century vintage pair of silver plated, 1960s table lamps with flower designs of exceptional craftsmanship. Marked by Spanish silverware makers ...
Aluminum, Silver
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
French 1910s Art Nouveau Brass Table Desk Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Art Nouveau Brass table desk lamp with brass shade and wooden base. ca. 1920 Natural aged with small cracks in edge shade 2,5 meter black cotton flex with plug and switch in bulb h...
Brass
Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of French antique kerosene lamps. The bronze paunch is decorated with birds on branches and flowers in Chinese style. What makes these lamps stun...
Bronze
$1,655 / set
H 8.67 in Dm 7.88 in
Pair of Beige "Dentate" Cocoon Table Lamps by Castiglioni, Italy 1960s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique pair of cocoon round table lamps with wooden bases. In fabulous condition, with no rips or stains. These incredibly charming table lamps were designed by Achille...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 15.36 in Dm 3.35 in
20th Century Lino Sabattini Pair of Table Lamps in Silver for Christofle, 70s
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
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