In 1880, during the exhibition of metal works, organised by the Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Christofle showcased the first pieces of the collection that will be called Les Polychromes. These pieces inspired by japanese art, in silver or silvered metal, are characterized by the complete or partial use of hammering. The decorative elements are cast separately in silver, brass or copper and then brazed on the piece, engraved and some details are gilded to accentuate the polychromy.
Two designers from Christofle created these design : Henri Godin (1846-1902) and S. Waret (1826-1893), both disciples of Emile Reiber (1826-1893).
These pieces were technically hard to realise, hence their rarity.
We would like to thank Mrs Anne Gros for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.