Christofle Silver-Plated Hollowware or Flatware Piece
Hollowware / Flatware · Christofle, renowned French silversmith and tableware manufacturer founded in Paris in 1830 by Charles Christofle. Celebrated worldwide for pioneering electroplating techniques in France and producing luxurious, high-quality silver items.
Pattern: Unidentified standard Christofle commercial line or custom collection bearing inventory number 22140.
Type
Hollowware / Flatware
Maker
Christofle, renowned French silversmith and tableware manufacturer founded in Paris in 1830 by Charles Christofle. Celebrated worldwide for pioneering electroplating techniques in France and producing luxurious, high-quality silver items.
Material
Silver-plated base metal (typically a copper-nickel-zinc alloy known as alpaca or nickel silver beneath the silver plating), standard for quality European silverplate.
Dimensions
Standard dimensions for a mid-to-large Christofle serving or hollowware piece; exact weight cannot be definitively determined from the stamp detail view alone.
Description
A close-up view of the authentic maker's hallmarks and inventory markings on a Christofle silver-plated item. The image highlights the distinctive Christofle hallmark symbol, the initials CC, and an engraved serial or inventory number '22140', which serves as a key diagnostic tool for authenticating and dating genuine French silverplate.
Key Features
The distinctive Christofle maker's mark (often featuring a chess piece or specific initials emblem), accompanied by distinct rectangular punch marks and an individual inventory or pattern number.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal (typically a copper-nickel-zinc alloy known as alpaca or nickel silver beneath the silver plating), standard for quality European silverplate.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver-plated finish featuring standard maker and inventory stampings. The surface shows characteristic micro-scratches from use and care over time.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clearly displays the Christofle maker's mark consisting of a chess piece (knight or rook) enclosed within a shape alongside the initials 'CC', accompanied by an inventory number '22140' and additional rectangular punch stamps typical of French electroplate marks.
Construction Details
Manufactured using industrial silversmithing techniques standard to the mid-to-late 19th or 20th-century Christofle workshops, including electroplating over a formed base metal core.
Functional Features
Standard utility features depending on the exact hollowware or flatware form this hallmark is stamped upon.
Handle & Grip Details
Integral or securely attached handle/grip appropriate to the specific vessel or utensil category.
Craftsmanship Details
High industrial craft standard. The punch marks are deeply and cleanly struck into the metal surface, demonstrating the precision quality control typical of the Christofle atelier.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the official Christofle maker's mark, clear punch outlines, and crisp stamped numbers '22140' strongly indicate authenticity, aligning with historical marking conventions used by the Parisian firm.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in France (Paris workshop or associated French manufacturing facilities), adhering to the rigorous standards of French silversmithing traditions.
Era & Period
Likely Late 19th to Mid-20th Century, given the style of the Christofle punch marks and numbering convention.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880 to 1950, based on the typography of the inventory number and the style of the hallmark cartouches used by Christofle during this extensive era.
Cultural Significance
Christofle represents the pinnacle of French luxury dining and hospitality, having furnished the tables of royalty, luxury ocean liners, and high-end hotels across the globe since the 19th century.
Condition Notes
The metal surface surrounding the hallmarks exhibits moderate surface scratching, scuffing, and wear consistent with age and careful polishing, with the underlying silver-plate remaining intact and legible.
Value Estimate
Value varies greatly depending on the complete form and item type, typically ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars for individual hollowware or serving pieces on the secondary antique market.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft microfiber cloth and specialized silver polish formulated for plated items. Avoid harsh abrasives or chemical dips to preserve the integrity of the silver plating.
Similar Pieces
Other silver-plated hollowware and flatware pieces by European makers such as Ercuis, Wiskemann, or Christofle's own extensive catalog of tableware.
Interesting Facts
Charles Christofle revolutionized the French decorative arts by acquiring the exclusive French patents for electroplating in 1842, allowing luxury silver production to become more accessible while maintaining royal and imperial patronage, including Napoleon III.