CHRISTOFLE SILVER MASTERPIECES IN KUALA LUMPUR TILL 4 MAY 2011

kee@fswmag.com

Decorative Mask designed by Lino Sabatini and Gio Ponti



CHRISTOFLE, THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS, SUCCESSFUL AND FINEST SILVERSMITH, LANDED IN STARHILL KUALA LUMPUR LAST YEAR.
THE CHRISTOFLE HAUTE ORFEVRE EXHIBITION IS NOW ON IN FRONT OF CHRISTOFLE BOUTIQUE IN STARHILL TILL 4 MAY.
IF YOU MISSED THIS, YOU CAN ALWAYS ORDER WHICHEVER ITEM YOU LIKED AND CHRISTOFLE WILL FLY IT IN.


Benjamin Bilteryst MD of Christofle Asia Pacific, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism cutting the ribbon and Antoine Bakhache MD of Christofle Malaysia. A Christofle knife was used instead of the usual scissors!


Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, officially opened the exhibition last night at 7 pm on 27 April 2011. Christofle's Malaysian boss Antoine Bakhache, Benjamin Bilteryst, managing director of Christofle Asia Pacific and Datuk Yeoh Soo Ming from YTL Group were on hand to welcome the Minister of Tourism.





There, all done!


Dato Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen was asked to cut the ribbon with a Christofle knife instead of scissors which she agreed. We wondered if the knife was sharp enough but it must have been a steak knife as it slit the ribbon smoothly. The Tourism Minister also made a great speech and pointed out shopping alone brought in RM 62 billion ringgit annually! The Malaysian Government has recognised this powerful generator of revenue and decided to eliminate taxes on luxury goods. "As a result, starting this year, the tax of up to 30% has been abolished," said Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen triumphantly though I have not noticed if Gucci, Prada or Louis Vuitton have reduced their prices by 30%! Oh well, one lives in hope.

According to Antoine Bakhache, "Christofle has adjusted its prices accordingly and we are at least cheaper than Singapore!" There you are, one less reason to buy Christofle overseas!

The Minister of Tourism had also done her homework. Speaking off the cuff without a prepared speech in hand, she noted Christofle has been supplying silverwares for over 170 years and thanked Antoine Bakhache and Benjamin Bilteryst for bringing the brand into Malaysia. A sign that our country is entering the big league with so many big names having boutiques here. She stunned Bakhache when she remarked when Hong Kong reverted to China in 1997, Christofle also made some special items to commemorate the event, including 'Hand in Hand' by Kan tai Keung to mark the reunification of Hong Kong and mainland China. Marvelled Bakhache, "The Tourism Minister mentioned things about Christofle I was not aware of!"


Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen comments on Christofle's illustrious history before unveiling the Peace Egg.

Some last words by Benjamin Bilteryst

The Peace Egg by Clara Halter unveiled! Yours for RM 247,280

The first Peace Egg was created in 2000 to mark the third millenium and is inscribed with 'Peace' in 43 languages including Bahasa Malaysia.

The Tourism Minister taking a closer look at the RM 247,280 egg, less 10%.

The second masterpiece is the Decorative Mask by Lino Sabatini and architectural legend Gio Ponti in 1978. RM 67, 930

The third item unveiled for the Minister of Tourism was the Sailing Ship priced at RM 298,910

When your ship sails into your harbour...

The Tourism Minister, Antoine, Benjamin and Dato Yeoh Soo Ming whose family own Starhill and half of Bukit Bintang or somewhere near!

So shiny were the silver sails they glowed orange from reflecting the Tourism Minister's dress.

I wanted this Bastille candelabra but I wanted my RM 35,870 more!



The trio then highlighted 3 major limited edition designer pieces; Peace Egg inscribed with the word 'peace' in 43 languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Decorative Mask and Voilier or Sailing Ship. Unlike some irritating exhibitions which show fabulous stuff only to tell you as you produce your Maybank credit card they are not for sale, everything at this Christofle exhibition is for instant sale and immediate gratification! So nice to know your money can buy Christofle things!

VIP GUESTS

Rozita Shuib, Princess Dr Becky Leogardo with green Hermes Birkin, Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. Dato Yeoh Soo Ming with black Hermes Birkin and Datin Angie of Van Cleef & Arpels

Same as above but with a thorn among the roses in the form of host Antoine Bakhache

Dato Yeoh Soo Ming, Tourism Minister and friend

Sabah, wife of Antoine Bakhache and Ida Lokman of Kenzo

The taller candelabra costs RM 209,000 and the shorter one costs RM 70,650

In ascending or is it descending order are 3 friends.


Mind you, the cheapest item I liked, the Bastille candelabra, cost RM 35,870 but you get 10% off and I am sure Antoine Bakhache can throw in some candles. The Peace Egg is RM 247,280 and the Sailing Ship is even pricier at nearly RM 300,000!

But Christofle is a major player in silver and have collaborated with the likes of Man Ray, Jean Cocteau and Gio Porti, Andre Putman, Martin Szekely and Ora Ito.

BELOW SHOW CHRISTOFLE'S BOUTIQUE IN STARHILL

Even maggi mee will taste divine in Christofle tableware.

Sumptuous table setting; just make sure you invite guests with no nimble fingers

Silvery delights

Silver bling and accessories

Home wares

Perfect gifts for you and them

Even this gentleman had hair to match the silver.

CLOSE-UPS OF CHRISTOFLE SILVER ITEMS

The spoons are not usable or detachable! This is just a candle holder!

The Egg of Peace. RM 247,280

Sailing Ship. RM 298,910. Both ship and egg are excellent feng shui generators!

This massive metre high candelabra costs RM 209,000

This shorter version costs RM 70,650. You can buy three of this for the tall one above!

The Carrier-Belleuse Coffee pot

Malmaison caviar holder. The world's costliest fish eggs must be served in a bowl worthy of its prestige

This mask is too big to wear for Halloween but at only RM 67,930 ( I thought it would be at least a RM 100,000) it makes for a fabulous display.



Details; 03-2144 4844 christofle@bakhacheluxuries.com

THE END