Maison Christofle
A savoir-faire that endures
In 1830, the jeweller Charles Christofle, following the family trade specialising in precious metals, founded the maison that still bears his name today. Two years later, he registered his goldsmith's stamp with the Office de Garantie in Paris for the manufacture of gold pieces.
Later, in 1842, he bought the patents for electrolytic silver and gold plating from the Frenchman Henri de Ruolz, focusing his business on the manufacture of silver-plated metal pieces.
Christofle gained national and international recognition when it became the ‘Emperor's supplier’.
In 1852, Napoleon III commissioned silverware for receptions at the Tuileries Palace. A service for a 50-metre-long table comprising 4,000 pieces and a ‘surtout’, a common centrepiece at the time that included sculptures, a salt and pepper shaker, a candlestick, a vase, etc. This was designed by the renowned sculptor François Gilbert, was made up of 121 pieces and was 3 metres long. The pieces were burnt in a fire at the palace in 1871. However, some were rescued from the ashes and are now on display at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
A decade later, in 1862, the Emperor appointed Charles Christofle an Officer of the Legion of Honour after the house won a medal at the Universal Exhibition in London.
After the death of the founder in 1863, he was succeeded by his son Paul, and his nephew Henri Bouilhet, who maintained the spirit and principles of Christofle. The Maison continued to grow in success and received major commissions, such as the silver-plated pieces for the Ritz Hotel in Paris, the Orient Express and the Concorde.
Over the years, Maison Christofle has adapted to the different needs and trends of society. Today, it continues to innovate and revolutionise the art of goldsmithing.
Maison Christofle hallmarks
Christofle pieces bear at least two hallmarks: the goldsmith's mark and the hallmark of quality.
- The goldsmith's mark is represented by a balance with the initials ‘OC’ (Orfèvrerie Christofle).
- The hallmark may be represented by the ‘poinçon carré’, the official French contrast for ‘metal argenté’, or by indicating the percentage of silver with each number in a square. Christofle's ‘poinçon carré’ includes a chess knight with the initials ‘OC’ identifying the house, and the indication of quality in Roman numerals: I or II, depending on the microns of silver in the piece.
Christofle pieces usually bear a third hallmark with the inscription ‘CHRISTOFLE’ within a rectangle, which facilitates their identification. The high quality of the silver plating applied to their pieces makes them of superior value on the antique market.
Portrait of Charles Christofle, ca. 1863
Antique sauceboat with three hallmarks: the goldsmith's mark, represented by a balance with the initials ‘OC’ (Orfévrerie Christofle). The hallmark of quality, indicated by the percentage of silver with each number inside a square, in this case 9. The inscription ‘CHRISTOFLE’ identifying the house.
Title of ‘Fournisseur Officiel de l'Empire’ awarded by Napoleon III
Table service commissioned by the Emperor and presented at the Universal Exhibition of 1855
1865, Magazine article on Christofle. Drawing of the Vienna Exhibition.
1865, Article on Christofle in a magazine. Drawing of Christofle's shop in Place Vendôme, Paris.
Historic photo of the Ritz dining room in its heyday. Source: Archives Ritz
Christofle ant the Orient Express
Christofle old catalogue page
