43 - CHRISTOFLE SILVERSMITH – LUC LANEL (1893–1965), DESIGNER OF THE MODEL

CHRISTOFLE SILVERSMITH – LUC LANEL (1893–1965), DESIGNER OF THE MODEL Atlas, solid silver version, a model designed in 1933 for the first-class dining room of the ocean liner Normandie A very substantial 167-piece silver service set, composed as follows: - 18 large dinner forks - 18 large dinner knives; stainless steel blades - 12 large spoons - 12 dessert spoons - 12 small knives; stainless steel blades - 12 fish forks - 12 fish knives - 11 oyster forks - 11 cake forks - 12 small spoons - 12 mocha spoons - 1 pie server - 1 large serving fork - 1 sauce spoon - 1 ladle - 1 large serving spoon - 1 fish serving set (2 pieces) - 1 salad serving set (2 pieces) - 2 carving sets (4 pieces) Each piece of cutlery bears the Master Silversmith’s hallmark and the guarantee mark. Gross total weight: 11.269 kg Net weight of weighable pieces excluding steel: 8.600 kg History: Created by Luc Lanel for Christofle as part of the interior design of the ocean liner Normandie, the Atlas cutlery set is part of the prestigious history of the collaboration between the silversmith and the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT). In 1933, approximately 45,000 pieces were produced for the ocean liner—a major commission that would revive the company, which had been weakened by the 1929 crisis. The designs created specifically by Lanel embraced his signature Art Deco aesthetic—as exemplified by our model’s elegance and understated simplicity. The success of these creations led Christofle to market them, also in solid silver. Subsequently, the Atlas and Transat models continued their transatlantic journey and were (re)used on the Liberté and the France. Exhibition: Christofle, a Brilliant History – Paris, Musée des Arts décoratifs, November 14, 2024, through April 20, 2025. Identical pieces, created for the ocean liner Normandie, are on display at this exhibition (no. 260). Bibliography: Audrey Gay-Mazuel (ed.) – Christofle, a Brilliant History – Catalog of the exhibition held at the Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris (November 14, 2024 – April 20, 2025), Éditions MAD/Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris, 2024. Identical models, created for the ocean liner Normandie, are listed under catalog number 206 and reproduced on page 191.