Seau "Dellipse" (center) at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
© Entrée to Black Paris

On November 14, 2024, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs opened an exhibition featuring master silversmith Charles Christofle (1805- 1863) and the empire he built through the creation of opulent silver-plated and gold-plated tableware.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs façade
© Entrée to Black Paris

Portrait of Charles Christofle
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Displayed on two floors in the Lefuel Wing of the Louvre, works in this show range from the centerpiece created for Napoleon III and rescued from the ruins of the Tuileries Palace after the fire that destroyed it during the Paris Commune in 1871 to dozens of modern and contemporary works that support or evoke the luxury of fine dining.

Relics from centerpiece belonging to Napoleon III
© Entrée to Black Paris

Exhibition staircase
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Serving utensils and cutlery
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Candelabra, chandelier, and guéridon
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One of the contemporary works in this show was conceived by Elliott Barnes, an architect cum interior designer who is enjoying tremendous success in the latter field. 

Elliott Barnes
© Benoît Auguste

Barnes is the only African-American -- indeed, the only American -- whose design is being displayed. His Seau "Dellipse," a sterling silver "bucket" designed to hold a single bottle of champagne, is being shown on the first floor of the exhibition in the installation called "The Silversmith's Workshop."

The Silversmith's Workshop
© Entrée to Black Paris

Seau "Dellipse"
2023 Sterling silver
© Entrée to Black Paris

Barnes shared the following story regarding how he was invited to design a work for Christofle:

Seven years ago I met the owner of Christofle at one of their events. He told me that if I had an idea, they would make it.

I had recently finished the headquarters and tasting center for RUINART in Reims and was starting to design a reception and tasting center for Billecart Salmon in Mareuil sur Aÿ, so I thought a project around champagne would be fun.  I began to exchange ideas with the brand's design team, and we decided to make a three-piece sterling silver champagne set.

My design idea began by combining the "C" from Christofle and the "C" from champagne to make an oval form.

Then, inspired by the twist of the bottle that is done after serving a glass of the wine, I decided to twist and extruded the oval shape to create a form that also references Richard Serra's work.