Antique Christofle French Silver Plated Tea Strainer

Name: Antique Christofle French Silver Plated Tea Strainer
Brand: Christofle
Rating: 5 (87 reviews)

About the Item

A fine French silver plated tea strainer. By Christofle et Cie. With a pierced and scalloped body, curved legs, ball feet and a turned wooden handle. Simply a wonderful, high-level tea strainer from one of France's most important houses! Date: Late 19th or Early 20th Century Condition Details: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition. There is some light edge wear, some light dings and indentations here and there, some fine and light surface scratches, and other signs of light wear consistent with age. Maker: Christofle Marks: Struck to the side of the handle with Christofle maker's marks. Measurements: Length: ca. 6 1/8 in. Width: ca. 2 7/8 in. Height: ca. 2 3/8 in. Items purchased from this dealer must delight you. Purchases may be returned for any reason for a period of 7 days.

Creator:
Christofle
Metal:
Silver Plate
Dimensions:
Height: 2.38 in (60.46 mm)Width: 2.88 in (73.16 mm)Length: 6.13 in (155.71 mm)
Style:
Edwardian
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition. There is some light edge wear, some light dings and indentations here and there, some fine and light surface scratches, and other signs of light wear consistent with age.
Seller Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: DSA INV BF MY231stDibs: LU849319496302

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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