Christofle

Since 1830, Christofle has been the embodiment of French dining culture, bringing a touch of magic to every occasion with its beautiful silver creations. The company has long been at the forefront of the Arts de la Table, revolutionizing the way we set and decorate tables. Christofle's designs are always modern and innovative, drawing inspiration from the latest trends and collaborating with top designers from around the world. The company's collections range from classic to contemporary, offering something for every taste. When entertaining guests, choose from a selection of high-quality stainless steel, silver plated, and sterling silver cutlery, including dinner, fish, dessert, and serving pieces. Whether at a formal gathering or a casual get-together, you can elevate the dining experience and share a little bit of your own culture and personality through your choice of table dressing and decor. Let Christofle help you create unique and memorable moments of joy and hospitality.

Since its inception, Christofle has been committed to crafting the finest quality products using only the most precious materials and showcasing timeless elegance and iconic aesthetics. This dedication to excellence was established by the company's founder, Charles Christofle, and has continued to shape the brand's identity to this day. Christofle's cutlery is made using traditional handicraft techniques, with skilled artisans passing down their invaluable knowledge from one generation to the next. This rich heritage is what gives Christofle its undeniable charm and unparalleled level of craftsmanship. As an ambassador for the French art of living, Christofle silver can be found gracing the tables of the world's most prestigious restaurants, adding a touch of sophistication to any setting with its subtle shine. As a founding member of the esteemed Comité Colbert, Christofle stands at the forefront of the luxury industry.

In 1830, Charles Christofle established his own goldsmith workshop and began creating unique objects, including jewelry, cutlery, and sculptures, using gold and silver to add a touch of luxury to everyday items. He revolutionized the field in 1842 when he obtained patents for galvanic silver plating and gilding, also known as electroplating. This process involves immersing specially prepared workpieces in a bath of precious metal and applying an electric current, which causes the metal to adhere to the surface of the pieces, forming a uniform coating. At the time, Christofle's decision to use electroplating was groundbreaking, as his workshop in Paris was one of the first in the world to utilize electricity for this purpose. This allowed Christofle to produce objects of any size in higher quantities and with better-quality coatings than ever before, making the beauty of gold and silver more accessible to a wider audience. As a result, silver flatware became a common sight in middle-class households across Europe.

Christofle's reputation for excellence has attracted many prestigious clients over the years, including the French kings Louis-Philippe I and Napoleon III, as well as the Emperor of Japan, who commissioned custom vases from the company. In addition to producing high-quality tableware and silver cutlery, Christofle has also created many unique works of art, such as the largest galvanized statue in the world, a towering, gilded Virgin Mary that has presided over the city of Marseille since 1870. The company was also responsible for the gilded figures that adorn the façade of the Opéra Garnier in Paris, and provided the fine silverware for the Orient Express and the SS Normandie, two iconic symbols of luxury and refinement. Christofle's impressive portfolio includes many other monumental works that can be found all over Europe, from the Elysée Palace to renowned restaurants.

At Christofle, the goal is to create cutlery collections that will stand the test of time and remain beloved for generations to come. To achieve this, the company's design studio collaborates with some of the most talented and influential artists and designers from around the world. One such partnership was with the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti, whose work has had a lasting impact on Christofle's aesthetic. Other notable collections include the Vertigo range by French designer Andrée Putman, which features organic ring details that soften the strict silhouettes, and the Jardin d'Eden collection by Marcel Wanders, which incorporates baroque plant motifs that add a touch of excitement to Christofle's typically simple style. The Mood collection, which has been released in limited artist special editions with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Pharrell Williams, Jean Imbert, and Junichi Hakose, has proven to be particularly popular, as it blends classic silver cutlery with elements of pop culture.

Objects made of silver and gold often bear markings, also known as hallmarks, assay marks, stamps, or maker's marks, which provide information about the item's origin and fineness. In Europe, these standards have evolved over the years, and in France, Christofle has a long tradition of using distinctive stamps on its silverware. When purchasing Christofle silver, it is important to verify the authenticity of the hallmarks, which can be found on all new pieces produced by the company. These marks include the official assay mark of France, which features the head of the goddess Minerva inside a rectangle and indicates the fineness of the silver, as well as the in-house maker's mark, which consists of a symbol and the maker's initials within a diamond shape. Christofle has used the image of a knight from the game of chess alongside the initials "OC" since 1935. Some collections and limited edition pieces may also bear additional markings, such as unique symbols with specific meanings or the year of manufacture.

Christofle offers a wide range of products to help you create a sophisticated and well-appointed table setting for any occasion. In addition to their renowned flatware, which comes in a variety of classic patterns such as Albi, Malmaison, Marly, Jardin d'Eden, and Mood, Christofle also offers an array of table accessories, including coffee sets, napkin rings, candlesticks, and picture frames. The Vertigo collection is a particularly versatile choice, as its pieces can be integrated into any table arrangement with ease. From glassware and porcelain to trays and frames, Christofle cutlery are designed to bring a touch of shine and refinement to every corner of your home. Invest in Christofle's timeless cutlery and other tableware and enjoy their beauty and craftsmanship for a lifetime.