The firm of Christofle & Co., of Paris, have presented to the Chicago Free Kindergarten Association the sum of $145, resulting from sales at a bazar held at the home of Mrs. Kelly, this city.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 12th December 1894
Funeral of the Late Paul Christofle, the Famous Paris Silversmith
PAUL CHRISTOFLE, head of the French silver house bearing that name, was laid to rest in the latter part of January at Pere-Lechaise. The funeral services' were conspicuous by the fact that they were attended by an unusual large body of merchants and citizens over 5,000 people following the hearse. Included in the procession were some of the best known French gold and silversmiths as delegates of their trade, and representatives of all the firms’ branches of the various cities of France and of Vienna, Belgium and South Africa as well. The funeral services throughout were extremely elaborate.
The deceased was the son of the founder of the house and succeeded his father 44 years ago, and in connection with his uncle successfully managed the concern. Largely to his efforts it became worthy of the name it attained in the artistic as well as commercial world. The deceased was an officer of the Legion of Honor, a member of the Tribunal of Commerce, and was largely interested in charity. He was the founder of a school for apprentices and supported beds in several hospitals in institutions.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 20th February 1907
Christofle fends off takeover bid with restructure
By Alice Rawsthorn in Paris
Christofle, the French silversmith, yesterday was rescued by the banks when they agreed to a FFr100m ($17.2m) financial restructuring package. The deal should enable the Bouilhet family to retain control of the company.
The Bouilhets, who have run Christofle for six generations, have been fighting to retain control in the face of a takeover bid by Société du Louvre, one of its minority shareholders and a subsidiary of the Taittinger champagne house.
Christofle reported a net loss of FFr39.5m last year on sales of FFr623m.
The Christofle Museum recently inaugurated at Saint-Denis is showing gold plate representative of all periods from the Gallo-Roman to the pop art period.
Among the items shown are Gallic gold pieces which decorated the table of Caesar, bracelets and belt buckles from the Hildersheim graves.
The fork appears during the Renaissance in the luxurious and refined sets created by Benvenuto Cellini. Louis XIV ordered tables, chairs and beds made of solid silver; Louis XV ordered porcelain for his table; and Napoleon a set of 1,200 pieces. The styles of 1900 and 1925 are also shown as well as more modern pieces.
The exhibition is being shown in the perfect town. Saint-Denis is the site of the French goldsmithy industry and the place in which Saint Eloi, patron saint of goldsmiths, had his workshop. This city has always shown its vitality in this art throughout history.
Source: Le Courrier Australien - 20th January 1967