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.
Shop authentic Christofle serveware, ceramics, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
1950s Gorgeous Cocktail Shaker in Silver Plated. Made in France
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Gorgeous Cocktail Shaker in Silver Plated. Made in Francia in excellent condition. Made in France. Dimension: 3,14 inch x 8,66 H inches cm 8 x cm 22 H
Silver Plate
$1,830
H 9.75 in Dm 3.13 in
Lino Sabattini For Christofle - "Windsor" Cocktail Shaker Designed In 1956
By Christofle, Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning modernist cocktail shaker designed by the world famous Lino Sabattini for famous Orfevrerie Christofle, a magical combination of quality and minimalist design. Created as part of the Gallia range, the design is known as Windsor and was made in Italy by Sabattini Argenteria, designed in 1956. Just back from our silversmith's workshop where it has been professionally cleaned and polished, restoring it to it's former glory. Highly collectable and sought-after in excellent condition measuring 3 1/8" in diameter x 9 3/4" tall. Minor wear commensurate with age and use. Lino Sabattini was the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. His expansive and diverse body of work is marked by its strength and boldness, whether in dynamic forms that suggest the thrust and power of Italian Futurist art...
Silver Plate
1960s Silver Plated Cocktail Shaker by P.M. - Italian Barware
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous Cocktail Shaker in Silver Plated by P.M. Made in Italy This cocktail shaker is a piece of art. It's signed at the bottom and is in excellent condition. Dimension: diam...
Metal
$651Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in Dm 3.27 in
Art Deco Cocktail Martini Shaker Silverplate by Christofle Paris
By Christofle
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This vintage cocktail shaker is a pure and elegant designed piece, crafted from silverplated brass by the well-known French manufacturer Christofle Paris. The shape features clean ...
Silver Plate
Two Part Modernist Cocktail Shaker by Orfèvrerie Christofle, Paris
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A smart Bauhaus style two-part cocktail shaker with it's sleek modernist design in silver plate. Made by the top-notch Parisian silversmith, Christofle of Paris, signed on both pi...
Silver Plate
Art Deco Silver-Plated Cocktail Shaker by Jordan Sheffield, 1930s
Located in Milano, IT
1930s A stunning example of Art Deco barware, this silver-plated cocktail shaker is part of the prestigious Jordan Sheffield Collection. Known for ble...
Silver Plate
1970s Cocktail Shaker by Guy Degrenne, Stainless Steel, French Design
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Cocktail Shaker by Guy Degrenne in Stainless Steel. Made in France. This shaker is in excellent condition. Dimension: diam 3,54" x 8,66" H inches diam cm 9 x cm 22 H
Stainless Steel
Christofle Gallia Ondulations Cocktail Shaker by Luc Lanel, c.1935
By Christofle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A handsome Art Deco silver plated cocktail shaker by top quality silversmith Christofle as part of their Gallia range in the Ondulations design. This design was created for the luxu...
Silver Plate
Art Deco Silver Plated Cocktail Shaker by C S Green & Co.
By Charles Green
Located in Bath, GB
A most unusual bullet shaped cocktail shaker, just back from our silversmith's workshop where it has been professionally cleaned and polished, restored to it's former glory. A two-p...
Silver Plate
Gorgeous Macabo Cocktail Shaker, Stainless Steel with Sculptural Base
By Macabo
Located in Milano, IT
A rare and exceptional mid-century masterpiece, this cocktail shaker was designed by the renowned Macabo in Italy during the 1950s. While Macabo is celebrated for various artisanal ...
Stainless Steel
1960s Lino Sabattini for Christofle Silver and Teak Cocktail Set
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A very rare and beautiful 1960s cocktail set with modernist jug and six aperitivo cups designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle. Each piece is stamped Christofle Gallia ITALY on the...
Silver
Murano Glass Conical Ornament by Alfredo Barbini, Italy, Circa 1970
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A super Murano glass ornament by the renowned mid-century designer, Barbini, with a decorative air bubble and the original stickers on the side and base. In good condition, this piec...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1970s Italian Glass Decanter with Six Highball Glasses
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A set of six highball Italian aperitivo glasses each with large decorative air bubble in the base. The set comes with a matching heavy glass decanter...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Romeo Rega Signed Silver-Plated Brass Decorative Box with Striped Top, 1960
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A very long wonderfully designed desk box signed by Romeo Rega. This silver-plated and brass box has a striped decorative top and removeable lid. The inside of the box is black laque...
Metal, Silver, Brass
1968 Ludovico de Santillana Venini Signed Murano Glass Vase
By Venini, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A rare collector's item, this imposing very large Venini Vase is from the 'Gratta' Series made in 1968 and designed by Ludovico de Santillana at the Venini furnace in Venice. These p...
Murrine, Art Glass, Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Pair of 1969 Gio Ponti for Broggi, Italia Silver Metal Bowls
By Fratelli Broggi, Milano, Gio Ponti
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A pair of iconic bowls designed by Gio Ponti for Broggi Italia and manufactured in 1969. The Bowls are stamped Broggi 1969 on the base and have the crest of the hotel they were once ...
Metal, Silver
