Antique Large French Silver Plated Twin Handled Oval Tray by Christofle 19th C

Christofle is a manufacturer of fine silver flatware and home accessories based in France. It was founded in 1830 when jeweler Charles Christofle assumed management of a jewelry workshop belonging to his wife's family. Among Christofle's product lines are silver picture frames, crystal vases and glassware, porcelain dinnerware, and silver jewelry and holloware. 

Artists and designers such as the Parisian silversmith Antoine Perrin, Man Ray, Jean Cocteau, Gio Ponti, Andree Putman, Martin Szekely, Ito Morabito (Ora-Ito), Xiao Hui Wang and Richard Hutten are among those whose creations have been made by Christofle.  In 1951 the Christofle company agreed with Ernest Cardeilhac to purchase the Cardeilhac tools and patterns. During the First Empire, Antoine Cardeilhac was a well-known silversmith in Paris. Christofle remains under the control and ownership of the Christofle family, the current generation being represented by Maurizio Borletti. Christofle was publicly traded until 1998 when Borletti and others took the firm private.

Christofle manufactures their products in France and in Brazil, and they are sold worldwide through 75 Pavillon Christofle retail stores and also through 400 department stores and specialty shops.