Charles Christofle Silver Marks

After christofle had broken its relations with halphen company in 1867 which was guided by charles halphen s widow the latter started to produce high quality silver plated cutlery under their own marks.

Charles christofle silver marks.

Charles christofle used a series of unique markings in order to identify his products to the world. 1876 c 1884 holloware baltimore md usa. Hamilton laidlaw co. However this mark has varied with time so an experienced antique silver buyer is sometimes needed to identify exactly what the mark means.

Tony was the great grandson of mme. Since 1935 the manufacturer s mark has been represented by an illustration of the knight from chess surrounded by the initials oc. Early marks include the initials g and c with a pair of scales in the middle. Hamilton inches from 1870 edinburgh scotland uk.

Tony bouilhet had married carla borletti 1907 1992 of a wealthy milanese industrialist family the borlettis provided needed capital by becoming major shareholders when chistofle incorporated in 1930. Early markings included the initials gc or cc along with a scale in the center. Charles christofle used a series of unique markings in order to identify his products to the world. Rosine bouilhet christofle and the great grandnephew of the founder charles christofle.

Later silver markings included the word gallia above a. On each side of the balance is a capital c and the two letters stand for charles christofle. Charles christofle was the first maker to introduce french made electroplated silver to the market. Online encyclopedia of silver marks hallmarks makers marks.

He bought the rights to the electroplating process from the birmingham manufacturers george and richard elkington. The christofle mark varies over time. The first christofle standard full mark was used from 1841 1862 soometimes referred to as the cc oval mark this silver mark consists of an oval with a balance and the image of a bee in the center. The company was founded in 1830 when charles christofle then a popular jeweler expanded his line to include silver picture frames porcelain dinnerware crystal vases and hollowware a variety of designers and artists helped to create christofle s pieces included famed parisian silversmith antoine.

After christofle had broken its relations with halphen company in 1867 which was guided by charles halphen s widow the latter started to produce high quality silver plated cutlery under their own marks. Throughout its history to identify particular collections maison christofle has used other hallmarks including a rooster for the gallia collection and a cat s head for silver and gilded pieces.