There was a day when transatlantic travel looked like the art deco walls of the SS Normandie and distinguished guests could dine using the refined elegance of silver. French luxury house Christofle’s latest exhibit The Art of Silver at Sea, is a celebration of a journey back in time.
Christofle’s history dates back to Paris in 1830, when entrepreneur and celebrated silversmith Charles
Christofle founded the maison. Set apart for its high-end silver work, Christofle became a royal and imperial supplier, cementing its spot in the prestigious world of luxury known for its signature mirror finish.
The collection was presented at the landmark exhibition Hidden Treasures, 250 Years of Franco-American Luxury Stories, on view from May 16 through 31. Located at The Shed in New York’s Hudson Yard’s, the exhibit was organized by the Comité Colbert, as a celebration of the cultural dialogue between the United States and France.
Christofle showcased three distinct masterpieces, each created for the luxurious ocean liner’s first-class dining room. But beyond their beauty, the pieces spotlight Christofle’s role in the historic cultural exchanges between the US and France, while highlighting the luxury house’s craftsmanship—one that has shaped innovation, hospitality, the arts, and diplomatic ties, paving the way for the Maison’s contemporary relevance.
The pieces showcased include a champagne bucket, a vegetable dish, and a dome-shaped cloche with its platter, sharing a glimpse into a scene of the 20th century’s luxury travel.
But Christofle was not just present in sea travel, constantly reinventing what tableware, décor, and jewelry could look like—objects destined to be passed down as heirlooms. The luxury house’s work could also be spotted as adornments on the luxurious tables of other prestigious travelers in both iconic travel vessels like the Concorde—the supersonic plane—and the storied Orient Express. Christofle also made its way to daily life, in residences of presitigous customers, as well as decorating ornate monuments like the Paris Opéra.
