In 1850, Charles Halphen founded his jeweler's workshop in Paris. The "Alfenide metal" - its name clearly a play on the name of the founder- was used as the base for the silver-plated items of this factory. This was an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, which was perfect as a base metal due to its silvery shine, in contrast to the brass and copper that was still common until then (which has a yellow-red colour).
The Parisian jeweler and silverware manufacturer - Christofle - enters into a collaboration with Halphen, in which Christofle makes the designs, Halphen creates the pieces from her Alfenide, and these are then silver plated by Christofle and marketed under the name Alfenide. This gave Christofle the opportunity to address a broader market segment, and provided Halphen with bread.
After Halphen's death, his widow took over. In 1888, Christofle finally took over the factory and continued to produce cutlery under the Alfenide line until around the Second World War. Although it is not very well known, these parts are inextricably linked to the name Christofle. With its beautiful designs and excellent quality, Alfenide remains a quality mark for luxury table settings. The pieces are no longer made these days.
- Silver plated Dinner spoons - Art Deco - Manufacture de l'Alfenide - France, 1920-1935
Dinner spoons in Art Deco style, manufactured by the Manufacture de l'Alfenide - a subsidiary of Christofle - in the Art Deco period between the 1920s and 1935. Unique pattern with a nice mix between wavy lines and straight,…
€ 10,00 - Christofle/Manufacture de L'Alfenide - Set of 12 Silver Plated Luncheon Settings- Marie-Antoinette - France, c. 1910
A set of 12 beautiful, silver-plated lunch place settings by Christofle, made in the Manufacture de l'Alfenide around 1910. The pieces in the Marie-Antoinette model - in the style of Louis XVI - and suitable for lunch and/or the…
€ 275,00 - Christofle/Manufacture de L'Alfenide - 12 Silver Plated Coffee Spoons - Marie-Antoinette - France, c. 1910
A set of 12 silver-plated coffee spoons by Christofle, made in the Manufacture de l'Alfenide around 1910. The pieces in the Marie-Antoinette pattern - in the style of Louis XVI - and ideal for brightening up the coffee table…
€ 60,00 - Christofle/Manufacture de L'Alfenide - Silver Plated Art Deco Cutlery Canteen - 37-piece/12-pax. - design Luc Lanel - France, 1930's
Splendid silver-plated Art Deco cutlery canteen dating from the 1930s, made by Christofle/Manufacture de L'Alfenide. The cutlery is made in the Cirta model, designed by Luc Lanel. The pieces with typical, geometric Art Deco…
€ 350,00