a fine electroplated silvered bronze table garniture by Société Charles Christofle & Cie Paris, second half 19th century

comprising of a circular cut glass tazza centerpiece raised on entwined grapewines flanked by three bacchic putti on a lion head monopedic base with vine trailing, signed CHRISTOFLE and numbered 120292 on the underside, with a pair of decorated seven light candelabra, each signed CHRISTOFLE and respectively numbered 297756 and 297757.

The renowned Société Charles Christofle & Cie obtained circa 1842-3 the use of patents taken out by the English firm Elkington & Co. and Ruolz for the process of silvering and gilding metals known as argenterie électro-chimique. Works of arts produced with this new process were first exhibited at the 1844 Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie Française in Paris. The firm won a gold medal at the this exposition in 1844, and consequently Charles Christofle was awarded the Légion d'Honneur.  Maison Christofle was appointed Fournisseur officiel du Roi Louis-Philippe  and in 1855 it was appointed Fournisseur de l'Empereur Napoleon III. The firm participated in all of the major International Exhibitions during the second half of the 19th century, often winning medals.