Christofle cutlery in Christofle silver - from Albi to Vertigo

This is explained by the history

of Christofle, in which the procedure of silver plating of alpaca – German silver called – were in the centre of the foundation of this company. In 1830 the founder of the Orfèvrerie Christofle - Charles Christofle - founded a factory, in the silver plating of objects was proceeded. The founder bought bit by bit different patents to this procedure of galvanization and was decorated in 1855 by Napoleon III with the title of the court supplier. From this history results, that not only in France still today silvered objects are named as Christofle silver. Thus you also find with us all silvered objects and cutleries under the column Christofle silver.

In the range of the silvered

cutleries Christofle is able to offer by far the choice biggest. Nevertheless, most cutleries are classical cutleries - not only with their names related to the French history.
The model Malmaison, called after the castle of the empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte is to be emphasized. This model was sketched and produced on behalf of Napoleon Bonaparte and has become to an excellent example of the French Empire-style. The palm which pulls through this decoration as an always returning motive is token as a symbol of the Napoleonic victories. You will recognize this palm on the cutlery as well as on the hollow product and the table silver - according to implementation on the edge or in the handle. Rumors say that Napoleon Bonaparte led this cutlery even on his battles with himself. Many of the silvered cutlery patterns are named after known buildings and their places in France. To call thus Marly, Chinon, Cluny or Albi. All cutleries common is an excellent handcrafting and outstanding use qualities. Of course you also find beside these models in the assortment of the silvered cutleries to quite classical French designs like the French Baguette, Christofle call it after the opera of Beethoven Fidelio as well as the Rubans, also known as Grand Ribbon. The both of the silvered cutleries models as a variation of the spade pattern are called Cluny and Chinon. However, both forms clearly differ from the spade shape which you may know in Germany. The French variation is roundish and seems softer than the angular German spade pattern. Therefore, a combination of these French patterns with spade pattern from German production is not advisable. A model, also available in silver plated, sterling silver as well as in stainess steel, is the model Albi. Albi is one with the most elementary basic forms of cutlery which it is only merely decorated by a running around thread. This decoration is probably spread in the whole western world, here you find the decoration in this pattern in an especially nice implementation.

silverplated

Silvered objects do not differ optically from massively silver ones. The silver plating is a galvanised surface which is applied on a core from base material like steel, alpaca (German silver) or bronze. Steel is used especially for cutlery from great serial productions which can be produced cost-efficient. We find bronze particularly with candelabras and hollowware, while German silver with high-quality silver plated cutlery. Alpaca is an alloy of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) and with his qualities similar to pure silver (Ag). Luxurious decors can be exact executed with this base material. The surface is galvanised with silver which quality is given in gramme per 12 table forks and table spoons - which are accepted with 24 dm². Then there occur names as 90, 100, 150, 180, with or without other additions. This designation mainly is use in Germany, objects of other origin have another - or none - name of the silver layer.

Hallmark Silverplated Christofle