Luxury is freedom
Ode to Elegance
by Alessandra Cenna
MAD
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Paris
from November 14, 2024 to April 20, 2025
CHRISTOFLE
A Brilliant Story
Engraving of the decoration of a matrix - Christofle Manufacture
Coffee pot from the Dip Malmaison Christofle service Ecole Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne (ECAL) and Adrien Rovero (born in 1981) designer. 2006
Silver-plated metal rubber. Conservatoire Bouilhet Christofle © François Coquerel
A magical setting at the Musée d’Arts décoratifs in Paris illustrates the history and splendor of the Christofle goldsmith house.
This almost 200-year-old factory has revolutionized the art of the table, thanks to its colors and its original decorations. Created in 1830 by Charles Christofle (1805-1863) and Henri Bouilhet (1830 1910), it was initially established in Paris then in Saint Denis and then in Normandy. More than 600 pieces of goldsmithing, jewelry, paintings and posters illustrate the success of Christofle in all its know-how.
The museum tour takes the visitor to the heart of the atmosphere of the factory with its silvering and gilding processes. T he masterpieces of the house from 1851 to 1925 stand as monumental pieces in the trends of the time, from Japonism to Art Deco.
On the second floor, a Christofle boutique displays the iconic collections of the House in magnificently set tables. Goldsmith of kings and emperors for their receptions, Christofle saw its reputation grow within the flourishing bourgeoisie from 1860 with codes of refinement requi ring the replacement of cutlery for each dish. A store then opened in Paris at the Hanover Pavilion and, later, at the Palais Royal.
For the Universal Exhibition of 1900, a Christofle stand represented the constant search for novelties linked to nature. A sumptuous tea service in the shape of squashes and pattypan squashes coexists gracefully and luxuriously with plates in bouquets of anemones and poppies, small vases in bunches of carrots and soup tureens in the shape of cabbages and celery.
Tea and Coffee Fountain from the “Squash” Christofle service- Léon Mallet (active between 1874 and 1900) Sculptor around 1891 Silver-plated metal and ivory - BouIlhet Christofle Conservatory © Christophe Dellière
Table set for the first class dining room of the Normandie ocean liner, Christofle Atlas deckchair and cutlery service - Luc Lanel (1893 1965) designer 1933-1935 Paris, Musée des Arts Décoratifs and Collection de Saint Nazaire - Agglomération Tourisme- Ecomuseum © Christophe Dellière
Table fork from the Régence service - Christofle Charles Mewès (1858-1914) architect Circa 1898 - Silver-plated metal Ritz Paris © Christophe Dellière
Coffee pot Union makes Success - Christofle -Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse 1824 -1887 Sculptor. Model from 1880 published after 1935 - Silver plated metal and ivory -Conservatoire Bouilhet Christofle © Christophe Dellière
MOOD by Christofle X Karl Lagerfeld-Christofle Karl Lagerfeld -1933-2019 designer author of the 2018 model. Steel silver metal polymer - Conservatoire BouIlhet Christofle © Studio des Fleurs for Christofle
For the International Exhibition of Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925, at the Grand Palais, Christofle launched its rich dinanderie made of sheet metal, copper, gold and silver, hammered and colored to create incredible decorative objects. A royal supplier to palaces and embassies, Christofle also became a supplier to hotels, grand restaurants and ocean liners. T he Lutétia, the Crillon, the Ritz in Paris, the Négresco in Nice, the Orient Express, the Normandie ocean liner, Air Union, the future Air France, were among its highly regarded clients. Tony Bouilhet at the head of Christofle, from 1926 to 1969, led the House towards modernity, also giving birth to several collaborations with architects and designers such as Gio Ponti for the creation of objects with dynamic lines. Around 1960, Christofle launched jewelry pieces in collaboration with Gae Aulenti, Mattia Bonetti and Christian Lacroix. Today Christofle takes the emblematic codes of its models and interprets them in a modern version or reissues iconic pieces. The house also imagines new objects, shoe boxes, coffee cups and video game consoles, as well as a famous Mood cutlery box in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld.
Between tradition and modernity Christofle sublimates all the beauty of the French art of living in its precious metals.
www.madparis.fr
Coffee Service - Dip. Malmaison Christofle Ecole Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne (ECAL) and Adrien Rovero (born in 1981) designer -2006 - Silver-plated metal rubber - BoulIhet Christofle Conservatory © Christophe De