Christofle Silver Plated Bronze Table Center 'Surtout de table', circa 1900

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Christofle Silver Plated Bronze Table Center 'Surtout de table', circa 1900

About the Item

Christofle silver plated bronze table center (Surtout de table), circa 1900 Surtout de table, a large, decorative, high-quality table center. The base consists of four flat charms, two smaller ones at the front and at the back and two larger ones, similar to oval on the sides. Profiled and concave around the perimeter, decorated with rose flowers with leaves arranged on a flat, spirally twisted ribbon. On the wider sides there are flower arrangements, and above them, in the finials, acanthus leaves, partially spread to the sides. At all joints, the charm is decorated with grape fruit, resting on large leaves with stems running vertically upwards, creating a floral pedestal under the figure. Above, on a convex hill, with engraved parallel lines and numerous flowers, three graces. Standing back to back, barefoot, in airy robes revealing arms and breasts. In their hands they hold in turn a fruit basket, flowers and a jug of wine. Heads slightly lowered downwards, with hair in buns, subtly lowered curls over the shoulders, with a distinct smile on the face. Between them, a shaft extended at the top, on which a polished and gilded bowl is attached. On the outside, it is carved with floral patterns, in twelve consecutively interconnected fields. The whole is supported by four massive, double legs to support the heavy weight of the object. At the two legs at the front and at the back, oval medallions, framed with a wreath of delicate leaves and engraved centrally with the letter H. Silver-plated bronze, gilded bowl on top, chisel, engraving, all polished. Very high-quality workmanship. From the bottom, an engraved plaque with the inscription Christofle Paris. Ok. 1900, weight approx. 40 kg. Christofle, a company founded by Charles Christofle in 1830 in Paris. Its items were first plated, then silvered and gilded, decorating the salons of Emperor Napoleon III, Sultan Abduaziz, and later also Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. At the beginning of its operation, the company employed such outstanding sculptors as Mathurin Moreau, Emile Reiber, Auguste Madroux, and later also Ernest Carriere-Belleuse and the great Alphons Mucha. Company has been repeatedly awarded with honorary medals and critical acclaim at many international exhibitions. Among Christofle's objects, apart from the Surtout de table presented above, there were tableware, cutlery and sophisticated dishes. Currently, two large, gold-plated Christofle statuettes decorate the finial of the Opera Garnier in Paris. The cutlery of this company was in the legendary Orient Express. Christofle's objects are located in the Louvre Museum near Paris in the Museum of Decorative Arts, where a special room is dedicated to them. To this day, Christofle equips the Elysée Palace and numerous French ministries with its exhibits.

Creator:
Christofle (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 36.62 in (93 cm)Depth: 24.02 in (61 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Engraved,Gilt,Polished,Silvered
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1900-1909
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1900
Condition:
Seller Location:
Liverpool, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: dr10251stDibs: LU5238220489932

Shop All Christofle

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.

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