19th Century French Monumental Solid Silver Figural Centrepiece, C.1840
About the Item
- Creator:Christofle (Sculptor)
- Dimensions:Height: 41.34 in (105 cm)Width: 13.78 in (35 cm)Depth: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1840
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In Great Condition - No Damage.
- Seller Location:Royal Tunbridge Wells, GB
- Reference Number:
Christofle
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Antique 19th Century French Monumental Solid Silver Figural Centrepiece, c. 1880By ChristofleLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique 19th century French monumental solid silver statue, standing on a marble base, the statue realistically modelled as a cast figure of Mary ...Category
Antique 19th Century French Centerpieces
MaterialsMarble, Silver
- Antique 19th Century French Silver Plated Figural Centrepiece, Christofle c.1880By ChristofleLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique 19th Century French grandiose silver-plated figural Jardinière takes center stage, accompanied by a pair of finely crafted mermen supporting an elongated dish in rococo style...Category
Antique 1880s French Other Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver
- 19th Century German Solid Silver Mercury Centrepiece, Wilkens & Sohne c.1890By M.H. Wilkens & SöhneLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique 19th Century German large solid silver centrepiece, depicting the boat-form bowl raised on a scrolled base chased with waves, with a fully modelled figure of the god Mercury ...Category
Antique 1890s German Other Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver
- 20th Century German Solid Silver Ornamental Stork Figure, Hanau, circa 1900Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique early 20th century German Hanau solid silver figure modelled as a standing stork. The statue is stunningly well-refined and realistically modelled in every small detail, it s...Category
20th Century German Animal Sculptures
MaterialsSilver
- 19th Century Austrian Silver Gilt & Enamel Hunting Horn, Karl Bank, C.1890By Karl BankLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent19th Century Austrian silver gilt and hand painted enamel hunting horn. The silver gilt mounts pierced and painted with multi-coloured enamels, sections painted with classical romant...Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver, Enamel
- 19th Century Victorian Silver & Porcelain Centerpiece, William K Reid, 1840By West & Son, William Ker ReidLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAntique mid-19th Century Victorian solid silver figural centerpiece, raised on trefoil shaped base, the base is applied with cast swags decorated with oceanic crustaceans, supporting...Category
Antique 1840s British Victorian Centerpieces
MaterialsSilver
- French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Silvered Christofle & Cie CentrepieceBy ChristofleLocated in Los Angeles, CAA very fine and palatial French 19th-20th century Christofle & Cie Louis XV style silvered figural centrepiece with a cut-glass scalloped centre-dish, attributed to Baccarat, and fla...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Centerpieces
MaterialsBronze
- 19th Century French CentrepieceBy Old ParisLocated in London, GBAn elegant 19th century Paris porcelain centrepiece, the hand-decorated bowl resting on four gilded dolphin heads with curled tails. The rococo shaped rim is adorned with gilded swan...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Bowls
MaterialsPorcelain
- French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Silvered Centrepiece by Christofle & CieBy ChristofleLocated in Los Angeles, CAA fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style silvered centrepiece by Christofle & Cie. with an ovoid molded cut-glass centre-dish (later) on a pomegranate branch-form foot, the underside stamped: CHRISTOFLE and 1147156, Paris, circa 1900. Charles Christofle...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Centerpieces
MaterialsBronze
- 19th Century Neoclassical Silvered Muses Centerpiece in the Manner of ChristofleBy ChristofleLocated in Los Angeles, CAA very fine French 19th century neoclassical style silver-plated figural centerpiece, in the manner of Christofle and a design by Mathurin Moreau (French, 1822-1912). The circular or...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Neoclassical Revival Centerpieces
MaterialsBronze
- 19th Century Italian Venetian Neoclassical White Figural Centerpiece DwarfsBy Este CeramicheLocated in Milan, ITA charming and very decorative Italian white ceramic figurative circular centerpiece depicting a group of dwarfs around a palm tree, in a toasting festive attitude. This Italian anti...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- 19th Century French Gilded Bronze Rococo CentrepieceLocated in London, GBAn Ormolu centrepiece in the Rococo Manner Constructed in gilt bronze of refined casting and finished with burnished surfacing, rising from a shaped and moulded plinth, with four ...Category
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Garniture
MaterialsOrmolu