Charles Christofle & Cie. French, 19th century "Les Vendanges", a large gilt bronze centerpiece Paris, second half 19th century

with a later cut glass dish, the front plaque bearing the monogram MCM, signed CHRISTOFLE and with the Christofle seal and numbered 344 809 to the underside

Henri Bouilhet, 150 ans d'Orfèvrerie, Christofle, Silversmith since 1830, Paris, 1981

Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIX Siècle, Les Éditions de l’Amateur, Paris, 2000, p. 128

Glass with some minor scratches. Gilt bronze with some oxidation, occasional pitting and rubbing causing some losses to gilding.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Charles Christofle began his career at the age of 15, in 1820. He took over his brother-in-law’s bijouterie-joaillerie 'Maison Calmette' in 1830. After obtaining the exclusive rights of the galvanic process argenterie electro-chimique patented by Elkington & Co. and Ruolz, Christofle introduced his array of products to an approving audience at the Exposition des produits de l'industrie Française in Paris in 1844. Christofle’s gilt bronze, silver, and plated pieces were hugely successful. After his death in 1865 Paul Christofle and his nephew Henri Bouilhet succeeded him and the firm became known as ‘Charles Christofle et Cie’. Through their success and continued acclaim at the major international exhibitions, they won important commissions from King Louis-Philippe and Emperor Napoléon III and won the title of Fournisseur officiel du Roi et de l'Empereur.