Known for its historic vibrancy, craftsmanship, innovative spirit, and work with renowned artists, Christofle has established itself as a beloved and internationally recognized brand. Let’s take a look at its signature collections.
Recently, Christofle, in collaboration with Art Recherche Industrie and its artistic director Ramdan Touhami, has redefined its identity, style, and collections, reviving the most iconic Christofle pieces and creating new ones. Trace the brand’s return to its roots.
The Historic Collections
1. The Aesthetic Marvel of “Art Nouveau” Gallia: The Return To Nature
The landmark collection, created in the 20th century, was crafted in contemporary styles when tableware and decorative arts have been repeating the same motifs since 1850. “Gallia” marked the beginning of the brand’s experimentation.
The collection is inspired by Gallic metal, known for its strength and durability. The Gallic rooster became the sign and symbol.
Consisting of Sycomore tea and Pine Cone bread services, a Thistle mail tray, a Redcurrant jewellery box, Ombelle and Japanese Primrose vases, and Six knife rests, this collection not only shows the influence of Art Nouveau and the Japanese style but also perfectly captures nature’s organic grace, harmoniously intertwining both beauty and practicality. Whether it’s motifs of delicate leaves, berry clusters, or animals.
2. The Fjerdingstad Collection, An Ode To Curves
For the first time, Christofle is reissuing a selection of exceptional pieces created by Christian Fjerdingstad, a Danish silversmith.
The «1925» Tea & Coffee set fully embodied the Art Deco style, while Gigogne coffee pot’s design heralded the growing popularity of the Modernist and Post-Modernist styles. Equally memorable are the double bowl fruit basket, four-ring centrepiece, and gilded handle water pitcher from the collection, which appear weightless because of their shape. But it is not inferior to the elegance of the four-part water pitcher «Normand», biscuit box, and eight-sided bowl.
Bold And Modern Reinterpretations of Collections From Yesterday
1. The Pompom Collection
As various types of trimmings came into fashion, pompoms became the decoration of dinnerware. Four cutlery items with «pompoms» are available: a table knife, a table fork, a tablespoon, and a teaspoon.
2. Napkin Rings
Napkin rings appeared in France around 1800 and quickly became an essential tableware item throughout Europe. Christofle adds five new designs to its napkin ring collection, all named after essential women in Charles Christofle’s life – his mother, three sisters, and his daughter. They are: Anne, Hyacinthe, Henriette, Rosine and Marie Rose.
3. Bonbonnieres
Used for keeping confectionery, pastilles, or even pharmacy pills, these small and lightweight bonbonnières were meant to be carried in pockets, purses, or embroidered pouches. Christofle offers a selection of finely crafted silver-plated metal bonbonnieres in different styles and eras.
Since the 19th century, Christofle has been known for creating extraordinary cutlery and tableware. Today, in 2023, the brand is still dedicated to its craft and constantly looking to redefine everyday objects, turning the table-setting process into an artistic experience.
Silverware and Dishwasher Use
A dishwasher can be used to clean silver-plated cutlery safely, as long as specific care guidelines are respected. Proper handling and the right products are essential to preserve the appearance and longevity of silverware.
Before placing silver items in a dishwasher for the first time, they should be washed by hand using a mild liquid detergent without added fragrances, particularly avoiding citrus-based ingredients. Only powdered dishwasher detergents free from chlorine and citric acid should be used; liquid detergents, gels, lemon-scented products, and multi-purpose tablets are not recommended. When regenerating salt is added to the dishwasher, silverware should not be washed during the first cycle afterward.
Water quality also plays an important role: high mineral content or excessive limescale can be aggressive and may damage silver surfaces, so dishwasher settings should always match the local water hardness. Certain foods, including eggs, citrus fruits, mustard, fish, and some fruits or legumes, may accelerate discoloration; rinsing silverware by hand after contact with these ingredients is advisable.
Older knives manufactured before 1968 should never be cleaned in a dishwasher. At the end of each cycle, it is best to partially open the dishwasher door to release steam and dry the cutlery manually if moisture remains. Silverware should not be washed alongside crystal glassware, as this may contribute to tarnishing. Finally, sterling silver should always be kept separate from stainless steel and other metals, either by using different wash loads or placing them in separate baskets to prevent adverse reactions.