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.
Pair Christofle France Delafosse Silverplate Fork & Spoon Salad Servers
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of silverplate salad servers. By Christofle France. In the Delafosse pattern with wheat & flower decoration throughout. Simply a wonderful pair of salad servers in th...
Silver Plate
Set of 8 Christofle Sterling Silver Chinon Forks 8 1/8" #20511
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 8 sterling silver forks in the Chinon pattern by Christofle France. The Chinon pattern was in production from 1991-2018. It features a classic fiddle design handle. The B on ...
Sterling Silver
Set of 6 Christofle Sterling Silver Chinon Forks 8 1/8" #20510
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 6 sterling silver forks in the Chinon pattern by Christofle France. The Chinon pattern was in production from 1991-2018. It features a classic fiddle design handle. The B on ...
Sterling Silver
Set of 7 Christofle Sterling Silver Chinon Modern Hollow Knives 9 3/4" #20509
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 7 sterling silver handle modern hollow dinner knives in the Chinon pattern by Christofle France. The Chinon pattern was in production from 1991-2018. It features a classic fi...
Sterling Silver
Christofle Sterling Silver Chinon European Place Oval Soup Spoon 8" #20507
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver European place oval soup spoon in the Chinon pattern by Christofle France. The Chinon pattern was in production from 1991-2018. It features a classic fiddle design h...
Sterling Silver
Christofle Sterling Silver Oceana Salad Serving Set Fork and Spoon 'B'
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver salad serving fork and spoon set in the Oceana pattern by Christofle. A beautiful large serving set in a simple and elegant pa...
Sterling Silver
Christofle Sterling Silver Oceana Salad Serving Set Fork and Spoon 'A'
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver salad serving fork and spoon set in the Oceana pattern by Christofle. A beautiful large serving set in a simple and elegant pa...
Sterling Silver
Antique Christofle Silverplate Baguette Manche a Gigot Lamb Shank / Roast Holder
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Manche a Gigot bone holder. By Christofle et Cie. In silver plate. In the Baguette pattern. With an embossed medallion or wreath to ...
Silver Plate
Christofle Oceana Sterling Silver Gravy Ladle
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver gravy ladle in the Oceana pattern by Christofle. A piece in a simple and elegant pattern. Measures approx 7" long, 2 5/8"...
Sterling Silver
$604Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.58 in W 0.56 in D 0.24 in
Rare Set of 6 Liberty London Fully Hallmarked Sterling Silver 1929 Desert Knives
By Liberty & Co.
Located in GB
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of six Liberty London Sterling silver dessert cutlery knives ...
Sterling Silver
$1,800
H 0.5 in W 0.88 in L 4.13 in
Set of 12 Whiting Alhambra Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Demitasse Spoons
By Whiting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 engraved Aesthetic Movement demitasse spoons. By Whiting. In the Alhambra pattern. Each with gilt bowls that have varying Aesthetic Movement brite-cut engraved de...
Sterling Silver
Set of Four Victorian Silver Salt Cellars
Located in London, GB
A set of four Victorian silver salt cellars, each designed as scallop shell bearing chased leaf decorations in the rim, with gold gilt interior and foliate design base, made by Danie...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Allan Adler Salad Servers
By Allan Adler
Located in Darnestown, MD
Modernist set of salad servers by Allan Adler in sterling and ebony. Streamlined and elegant. Spoon is 13" in length; fork is 12 7/8". Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
$444Sale Price / set|40% Off
W 0.75 in L 7 in
Set of Mother-of-Pearl Handled Knives (Fruit & Butter), Sterling Silver Accents
By Sheffield Silver Co.
Located in New York, NY
A Charming Addition to Your Tableware Collection Elevate your dining presentation with this two-part set of knives, each featuring lustrous mother-of-pearl handles and sterling silv...
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
$438Sale Price|40% Off
W 0.85 in L 3.75 in
Vintage Cartier Sterling Silver Child’s Fork Signed .925 Silver
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A rare and charming collectible, this Cartier child’s fork is crafted in fine .925 sterling silver, weighing approximately half an ounce and measuring 3.75 inches in length. Elegantly signed on the reverse, it reflects the heritage of Cartier’s master silversmithing, made in the USA with exceptional craftsmanship. Sterling silver baby gifts...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$14,500 / set
Towle Sterling Silver Set 1970/ 63 Pieces
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Number of pieces: 63 12 knives 11 dinner forks 12 salad forks 6 tablespoons 12 teaspoons 5 solid sterling serving pieces 5 sterling handle serving pieces Total Weight: 4268 grams (...
Sterling Silver
$895
H 1.25 in W 2.25 in L 8.75 in
Antique Durgin Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Fork & Spoon Salad Servers
By William B. Durgin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of sterling silver salad servers. By Durgin (and also bearing marks for Black, Starr & Frost). In sterling silver. With a gold wash to both the spoon bowl and fork ti...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Floral Fork with VS Diamonds
Located in BADALONA, ES
Decorative fork crafted in sterling silver, featuring a sculptural floral motif set with nine natural VS diamonds. The handle is shaped with flowing organic lines, balancing function...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Antique Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Ornamental 41 Sugar Spoon
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Georg Jensen sugar spoon. In sterling silver. Model no. Ornamental 41 Designed by Georg Jensen. Simply a great sugar spoon!...
Sterling Silver
Christofle French Sterling Silver 6 Piece Dinnerware Set
By Christofle
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Christofle silverplate flatware set, stamped with the classic OC Christofle hallmark and FRANCE, dates to the late 1930s through the 1940s. The marks correspond to Chris...
Sterling Silver
$395 / set
H 0.5 in W 1 in L 9 in
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver 4-Piece Place Setting in the Provence Pattern
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine 4-piece place setting. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the Provence pattern. Comprising of: 1x New French Hollow Knife (9"") 1x Fo...
Sterling Silver
Sold
W 0.81 in L 7.88 in
Set of 3 Christofle Sterling Silver Chinon Individual Fish Knives 7 7/8" #20508
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 3 sterling silver individual fish knives in the Chinon pattern by Christofle France. The Chinon pattern was in production from 1991-2018. It features a classic fiddle design ...
Sterling Silver
Christofle Sterling Silver Chinon Salad Fork 6 1/2" #20506
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver salad fork in the Chinon pattern by Christofle France. The Chinon pattern was in production from 1991-2018. It features a classic fiddle design handle. The B on the ...
Sterling Silver
Set of 8 Christofle Oceana Sterling Silver Dessert/Oval Soup Spoons
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 8 sterling silver dessert/oval soup spoons in the Oceana pattern by Christofle. A beautiful set of spoons in a simple and elegant pattern. Measures approx 7 1/2" long, 1 5/8...
Sterling Silver
Christofle France Albi Silver Plated Medicine/Invalid Feeder Spoon
By Christofle
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Silver plated medicine spoon/invalid feeder in the Albi pattern by Christofle. A unique piece in a simple and elegant pattern. Measures 5 1/4" long, 1 1/8" wide across bowl. Weigh...
Silver Plate
Christofle, Malmaison Solid Silver 18-Piece Set of Spoon, Fork & Tea-spoon
By Christofle
Located in London, GB
Sterling Silver Spoon, Fork, and Tea-spoon by Christofle collection Malmaison, consists of 6 standard spoons, 6 standard forks, 6 teaspoons, total of 18 pieces. 6 x Standard Spoons, ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Christofle Christian Lacroix Ornate Silver Plated Serving Pieces, Set of Twelve
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful ornate trellis design Christofle serving set of twelve pieces, six pairs consisting of a large carving fork and knife, salad serving fork and spoon, another salad serving f...
Silver Plate
Christofle Boxed 2 Sets of Ebony and Silver Chopsticks
By Christofle
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Christofle Chopsticks, Ebony wood and Silver one pair measures 8 3/4 inch in length and the second pair measures 7 5/8 inch in length....
Silver
CHRISTOFLE Commodore Sterling Flatware Set
By Christofle
Located in Chicago, IL
Service for 12,73 pieces total, Solid Sterling Silver Flatware set by Christofle in the Commodore pattern, original Fabric covered Wood,...
Sterling Silver