Christofle silverware and the French art de la table
From champagne coolers to sugar sifters, from caviar spoons to candle sticks, Christofle is part of the legend of French refinement.
It’s one of France’s top international luxury brands, with an exquisite Paris flagship store and price tags beyond the reach of many.
Luckily, vintage Christofle is a far more affordable way to enjoy these beautifully crafted items.
When cared for, they tend to last well, thanks to their generous silver plating. And then there’s the quality of the design. If you get bitten by Christofle bug, you’ll often notice that little extra ‘something’ that makes Christofle pieces stand out from their rivals.
Was there a Mr Christofle?
Mais, oui! Charles Christofle (1805-1863) was a jeweller by trade.
When he learned about the new technology for plating items in gold and silver by electrolysis, he was quick to see its potential.
In 1842, he managed to buy the sole 10 year rights to plate in precious metals on an industrial scale in France.
Far from resting on his laurels, he worked tirelessly to refine the the process, whilst creating a name for elegance and quality.
All that glitters…
The newly-minted emperor of France, Napoleon III was an early adopter. This new technology appealed to his vision of a modern, industrial France – as well as his thrifty side!
In 1851, he ordered a unique 4000-piece service in gold and silver plate from Christofle, including a 3-metre-high sculpture symbolising France.
Imagine, for the first time ever, a royal service that was not made of solid gold or silver!
Soon, everyone was queuing up to order their own imperial bling – the Tsar of Russia, the German Kaiser, the Sultan of Turkey, the grand hotels of Europe, the Paris Ritz…
Christofle and l’art de la table à la française
Crowned heads and the hoi polloi were one part of the story. The rise of the middle classes in France were another.
In the olden days, the rich supped from the family silver while the less well-off made do with pewter or wood.
Then along came high quality silver plate, courtesy of Monsieur C.
It was more affordable. More and more people aspired to it.
The launch of a new Christofle brand, Gallia in 1898 consolidated this new market.
Christofle helped make silver tableware a 20th century must-have, an essential element of French culinary refinement.
Identifying Christofle
Christofle is easy to identify as it is always signed. It can be tricky to date, though, as certain hallmarks were in use for several decades.
Early Gallia pieces are now prized by the connoisseurs. So is Art Deco style Christofle, especially pieces designed by Luc Lanel for the great ocean liner, the Normandie.
