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Christofle Desk Accessories

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.

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Creator: Christofle
Mid-Century Modern Silver Paper Weight & Paper Cutter by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Silver Paper Weight & Paper Cutter by Christofle
Category

20th Century Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Christofle , silver plate paperweight " Lucky Dice ".cube .
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great paperweight design in this Christofle ornament .
Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Christofle's 'The Hand of Destiny': Silver Palm Reading Paperweight and Booklet
By Christofle
Located in North Miami, FL
Christofle's 'The Hand of Destiny' package: silver palm reading paperweight and accompanying booklet (plus letter of dedication) By: Christofle Material: silver, silver plate, sheet...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Metal, Sheet Metal

Late 20th Century/C. 1970 Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century/circa 1970 silvered Napoleon Empereur letter opener by Christofle By: Christofle Material: silver, silver plate, metal, paper Technique: polished, silvered, metalw...
Category

Late 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Metal

Jean Filhos for Christofle Silvered Bronze Erotic Letter Opener Nude, 1974 Franc
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury silvered erotic letter opener or bookmark with nudes by the French artist Jean Filhos, (1921-2002) This model was created as the official 1974 ...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Arman Violins Accumulations Paperweight for Christofle, France, 1980s
By Arman, Christofle
Located in Milan, IT
Arman violins accumulations metal paperweight for Christofle, France, 1983.
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rare Christofle Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener 1970s France
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Christofle silvered Napoleon Empereur letter opener, 1970s, France. Unique and precious details.
Category

1970s French Neoclassical Revival Vintage Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

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Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1980s
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Previously Available Items
Christofle Silver Plated Pen Holder in Classic Beaker Form
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A very elegant silver plated pen holder by the French house of Christofle. It is signed Christofle on bottom as well. A wonderful gift for the person who has everything. Very Good Vi...
Category

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Materials

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C. 1990 Hammered Silver Horse Head Paperweigh By Frédéric Barnley For Christofle
By Christofle, Frédéric Barnley
Located in North Miami, FL
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Vintage Christofle Lumiere D'Argent Bird in Silverplate with Onyx Eyes
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage silver-plated bird figurine from the Christofle of Paris Lumière d'Argent or Silver Light Collection. The bird is likely a robin with a delicate openwork body of silver met...
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Christofle Paris Silvered Bronze Racing Car Letter Opener
By Christofle
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco silvered bronze automotive letter opener by Christofle Paris. Hallmarked and stamped 'Christofle' to side. Original labelled box.
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Christofle Silver Plated Letter Opener, US Eagle Seal, Given by JFK to Col. Paul
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Located in valatie, NY
Vintage Christofle Silver Plated Letter Opener, US Eagle Seal, C1960. Given by President John F. Kennedy to Colonel Michael Paul. From the estate of Colonel Paul. Paul Michael Iogolevitch - 1901/1980, later known as Colonel Michael Paul was a violinist who joined the Russian Army at age 15 and fought in World War I. He migrated to the United States where he became wealthy in the petroleum industry. He founded the C. Michael Paul Foundation. Before Kennedy was elected President, when ever he traveled to Palm Beach to visit his mother and father, he stayed at his father’s estate on Ocean Blvd. After the election, his father's house would not accommodate both the Kennedy family and all of the Presidential entourage. So to offset these logistical problems, the presidential party usually stayed at the nearby estate of Colonel C. Michael Paul. Paul’s opulent estate had eight bedrooms, museum quality art on the walls, a panoramic floor-to-ceiling view of the ocean, a grand marble staircase, and a heated swimming pool. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was said to be very comfortable using the house. In addition, the house met her chief requirement of providing privacy with its' high hedges that completely surrounded the property. This allowed Caroline and John, Jr. to play in the outdoor fountain and swimming pool unseen and provided ample space for the machine-gun toting Secret Service officers to set-up and maintain a security perimeter. Kennedy also had a meeting with Golda Meir...
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Letter Opener by Christofle France Coat of Arms of the Grand Duche Luxembourg
By Christofle
Located in Vienna, AT
Superb letter opener from Christofle brand with coat of arms of the Grand Duche of Luxembourg Excellent condition. Measures: Length: 22 cm Weight: 136 grams.
Category

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Vintage Christofle Lumiere D'Argent Owl in Silverplate
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A silver-plated vintage owl figurine from the Christofle of Paris Collection Lumière d'Argent (Silver Light Collection). Le Grand Hibou (The Great...
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Christofle Paris, Napoleon I Letter Opener
By Christofle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Christofle Paris, Napoleon I letter ppener, A fine example this weighty letter opener, adorned with a portrait of a Laurel wearing Napoleon I. The back subt...
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20th Century French Neoclassical Christofle Desk Accessories

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Silver Plate

Andrée Putman for Christofle Silver Plate and Black Lacquer Vertigo Box
By Christofle, Andree Putman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant silver plate and black lacquered wood decorative lidded box from the Vertigo Collection, designed by Andrée Putman for French silversmith Christofle. Geometric shape with mi...
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Late 20th Century French Modern Christofle Desk Accessories

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Metal, Silver Plate

19thC French Solid Silver Bull On Stand, Christofle, Paris c.1860
By Christofle
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French solid silver figural statue, beautifully modelled depicting a resting bull on an ebony base. The sculptural figure is modelled to the highest quality, undoubtedly by one of the best French sculptors and silversmiths of the period. Hallmarked French silver (Minerva 950 standard), unsigned, but attributed to Pierre-Louis Rouillard and Eugene Capy, Christofle, Paris, c.1860. (for a similar sculpture see, Sotheby's, 19th century Furniture, Sculpture, Ceramics, Silver & Works of Art, 22nd April 2010, New York, lot 48) The story of the firm Christofle began in 1830 when Charles Christofle (1805 - 1863) arrived in Paris from Lyons to join his brother-in-law’s jewellery firm. When his brother-in-law died in 1837, Charles took over the business which became, within a few years, one of the most successful and popular silver brands of the last two centuries. The turning point for the firm arrived in 1841 when, with the financial help of his sister Rosine Bouilhet, Charles bought from George and Richard Elkington the license to import and use in France their revolutionary electroplating system and started employing very skilled craftsmen and designers such as Mathurin Moreau (1821 - 1912) and Èmile Reibere (1826 - 1893). The first royal appointment arrived in 1844 when Louis Philippe ordered new tableware for his palaces. In 1855 Charles received from the Emperor Napoleon III the commission for a gold-plated dinner service for the Elysée Palace and a more than 1200 pieces service for the Tuileries palace. Charles Christofle also promoted his business exhibiting at the International Fairs and gaining important commissions from abroad including the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico...
Category

19th Century French Antique Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Christofle 1970s Silver Plate and Lucite Box
By Christofle
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant modernist decorative box designed by Christofle France. Minimalist geometric shape with silverplate base and thick crystal clear Lucite lid. Legal hallmarks on the side. ...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Metal

French Vintage Christofle Frame, 1960-1970
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century vintage rectangular silvered brass picture frame with wood in reverse. Stamped and signed Christofle. France, circa 1960s-1970s. Art Deco style.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Christofle Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Brass

French Vintage Christofle Frame, 1960-1970
French Vintage Christofle Frame, 1960-1970
H 8.78 in W 6.86 in D 0.48 in

Christofle desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Christofle desk accessories are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Christofle desk accessories, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desk accessories by Christofle were created in the modern style in france during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desk accessories by Lalique, and Daum. Prices for Christofle desk accessories can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $180 and can go as high as $2,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,200.
Questions About Christofle Desk Accessories
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Christofle is made in France. This company is renowned for its luxury tableware and flatware and has been based in Paris, France since it was founded in 1830. Browse a collection of authentic Christofle pieces from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Christofle is known for designing luxury silverware and tableware. 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. 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 the roots of founder Charles Christofle, who got his start as a copper jeweler apprentice. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Christofle pieces.

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