Carrousel designed by Charlotte Chesnais for Christofle

elizabethwilce
Oct 6
2 min read

A new flatware collection designed by Charlotte Chesnais

Christofle, French purveyors of excellence in silverware, and Charlotte Chesnais, whose sinuous and sculptural jewellery defies classic forms, have united to create Carrousel, a new flatware collection and case.

Christofle's Carrousel cutlery case, designed by Charlotte Chesnais

Instantly resonating with the Charlotte Chesnais aesthetic, the set is the result of extensive design development and French savoir-faire. It represents the perpetual transmission that has defined the heritage of Christofle since 1830 while embodying the contemporary quest for elegance and innovation that is inherent to both. Unlike any cutlery in the history of Christofle, the curving designs conceived by Chesnais take jewellery shapes beyond the body to the table where they become part of a collective experience.

Open view of the Carrousel cutlery case by Charlotte Chesnais, showing silver plated cutlery.

A perfect alignment of two identities in metalsmithing: jewellery and tableware. The open, teardrop shape at the base of the forks and spoons brings a jewellery aspect to the cutlery while respecting both form and function. To begin, Carrousel will comprise 24 essential pieces: fork, knife and spoons in two sizes. The set is proposed in silver-plated metal, the emblematic material of Christofle. Owing to the specialty know-how of partial gilding with 18 carat gold, a clin d'oeil to a Charlotte Chesnais signature, will be available by special order.

In addition to the flatware, Chesnais has conceived an exceptional case that exists as a standalone object defined by a bi-colour surface that is at once fluid and solid. Like a door to a secret room, one of the two sides opens thanks to an interior hinge mechanism and retracts to reveal a walnut panel that holds the full set stored upright along an ingenious system of pegs.

This flatware, though utilitarian, asserts an everyday elegance. Placed or hung, it transforms into a tableau. The case suggests a mobile artwork inspired by the planar forms of Jean Art. Inside, the walnut wood panel cradles the pieces, aligned like a collection of kinetic sculptures - at once performance and display.

An echo to the iconic MOOD by Christofle that debuted in 2014, the case allows the collection to be not only exposed or concealed but also engaged with as a focal element that becomes part of l'Art sur la table.