A Silvered, Gilt and Patinated Bronze 'Hu-Shape' Vase in the Chinese Archaic Style

Founded by Charles Christofle (1805-63) in 1830 as a firm of jewellery craftsmen, Christofle changed the destiny of his company by moving into silversmithing. His master silversmith stamps were registered in 1845, the date of the first silver-plating factory. By acquiring patents for processes of industrial silver and gold-plating electrolysis, he replaced the need for manual work. At the end of the 19th century, the House of Christofle began to produce silver-plated metal objects that were as beautiful and opulent as solid silver. ‘Le Christofle’ became a generic name for silver-plated metal. Synonymous with the French art of living, Christofle became a reference for everyone from princes to the bourgeoisie.

In 1851, King Louis Philippe’s successor, Emperor Napoleon III, ordered all the Empire’s official table services from Christofle. In the second half of the 19th century, Christofle also became the supplier not only to ministries, embassies and parliaments the world over, but also to French and foreign luxury hotels and maritime and rail companies.

The fame of the House of Christofle rested on its silverware but this piece exemplifies another experimentation in metalwork which began in 1867, led by Christofle’s director, Henri Bouilhet. The firm was always mindful of changing trends and styles, creating fine works in the Japanese and Chinese styles, as well as Second Empire, Orientalist, Rococo Revival and Art Nouveau. They exhibited at various important exhibitions in the 19th century, including the Paris International Exhibitions of 1867, 1878 and 1900.

Bronzes in the collection of the banker Henri Cernuschi, now the Musée Cernuschi, proved to be an inspiration for many of these designs produced by Christofle.

A Silvered, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Vase in the Chinese Archaic Style

The Musée Bouilhet-Christofle holds a period photograph of this model dated 1875.

Other important works by Christofle & Cie can be found in the collections of the Musée d’Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, the Musée du Louvre, the Musée Bouilhet-Christofle, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.