It might sound bizarre to claim that Christofle is ‘having a moment’ when it has been furnishing fine homes with silverware for nearly two centuries unimpeded. Nevertheless, ‘Christofle, A Brilliant Story’ at the Musées Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris is the first ever monographic exhibition dedicated to the French silverware house – and Christofle is at the very forefront of our attention in Paris and the design world, arguably more than ever before.
This is a staggeringly comprehensive and exquisite show. More than 600 pieces of gold and silverwork are on display, from the company’s foundation in 1830 until the present day, and covering all categories: tableware, daily or monumental objects and jewellery. Far beyond a retrospective, the show tells the story of how silverwork can be a platform for artistic expression, majestic hospitality and even political power.
