VERY RARE One-of-a-Kind! A taste of 19th century elegance found in the Naval Wardroom. Above are late 19th century 7.5" forks (6) and 8.25" knives (2) which are part of a larger silverplate flatware set made specfically for formal seafood courses or dinners. Both the forks and knives have intricate detailed engravings of nautical flora along with fish as part of the motif.

Each utensil has the KuK Kriegsmarine insignia clearly stamped on the top handle along with the capital letter "K", number "13" within a box, and the famous Berndorf trademark.

ONLY 4 forks are now available for sale. Forks are $100. each and the knife is $150. but must be purchased with a matching fork.

Above is a photo of the back of each fork. Note the fine detail, heart shaped design below the tail of a fish!

Above is a photo of the front of each fork. Note again the fine detail, the heart shaped design below the tail of a fish. Further below is shown the "Berndorf" trademark.

Above is a photo of the front of a knife showing the letter "K", the number "13" in a box, and the "Berndorf" trademark. All 3 marks are exactly the same on all 6 forks and 2 knives.

Above is a photo of the knife blade showing nautical floral designs and the engraving of a fish! Absolutely stunning and beautiful in the 19th century attention to detail not normally found today. This silverware service was very expensive and must certainly have been designed and produced for very senior naval officers.

Above is a closeup photo of the insignia and a full length illustration of the knife handle showing the KuK Kriegsmarine insignia and maker marks! Absolutely stunning and beautiful in its simplicity contrasted with the detailed design of the blade.

The photo to the left illustrates a pair of Imperial Austro-Hungarian Naval silverplated Egg Cups or small Goblets. Note the Crown of Austria (House of Habsburgs which ruled Austria) located above the Fouled Anchor, production between 1891-1918..

The manufacturer of these two Imperial Austro-Hungarian Navy Egg Cups was the famous Berndorf Metalware Factory of Austria along with the word ALPACCA which was the trademark of the type of patented alloy or blend of metal which Berndoff used.

The name Berndorf with the encircled walking bear and ALPACCA trademark was only used between 1891-1930 which helps to date this piece. For a link to Berndorf Metalware of Austria silverplate marks, date codes, and historical information Click Here. Note that the Berndorf/Alapacca Mark used on the Egg Cups was only used between 1891-1930. Since the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled in 1919 the piece could not be older than this, so a production date of 1891 to 1918 would be realistic.

One of the Egg Cups is for sale at $150.

Most of the Berndorf flatware and holloware were all lettered, and here we have the capital letter "U" for the egg cups. The fish forks and knives above have the capital letter "K". We have no idea what these maker marks were used for.

For true historical purposes it should be noted that these two egg cups may also have belonged to the Royal Italian Navy post-WWI since the Crown of Savoy and the Crown of the Hapsburgs were very similar, Berndorf had production facilities both in Austria and in Milan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As part of the WWI armistice the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dismantled and much of it's navy ships and materiel was turned over to Italy as war reparations. The "Regia Marina" or Royal Navy of Italy being in dire financial straits after WWI and used as much KuK Kriegsmarine material and personal gear whenever possible, which included firearms, uniforms, boots, and dinnerware!

As these two egg cups were found in Italy at a naval base on the Adriatic Sea where the bulk of the KuK Kriegsmarine fleet was anchored it is quite possible, if not likely that the two navies used these goblets in their own times!

Above photo's illustrate a late 1880's to 1918 Imperial Austro-Hungarian Navy large dinner spoon with the Austrian House of Habsburg Crown which is found engraved on the top back handle of the spoon. Photo to the left is of the back stem of the spoon showing the famous Arthur Krupp, Berndorf hallmark encircled with a Standing Bear. The 45 and 90 numbers represent the silverplate thickness and percent of silver in the silverplate.

This hallmark helps to date the spoon to be ca 1880's to 1918. There is also an 0 stamped into the plate below the anchor, and while we do not know the true meaning of this we are surmising that perhaps it was the KuK's pattern type, or perhaps even for the name of the ship which ordered it. Note the egg cup above which also has the engimatic letter "U" stamped into the base.

Note that the below flatware and egg cup are for sale and available

Small and rare collection of KuK Austro-Hungarian Empire Naval Flatware and Egg Cup. Forks, Large Spoon and Egg Cup are in what is termed "nickel silver" or alpacca". The smaller spoon is in a silverplate. All are in standard mid to late 19th century patterns. All are properly maker marked and clearly stamped. The "M" on the large tablespoon stamds for "Marine" or Navy.

Forks are $100. each, Small Teaspoon (SOLD!) is $85. and Large Dinner Spoon (SOLD!) is $125. each

The forks have certainly been used as can be seen from the fork tines. Notice the tines on either end of the forks that are slightly more used than the middle two. This is from the European habit of using eating utensils, particularly forks, on their sides.

The forks measure a whopping 8 1/8", the large spoon is 7 3/4", the smaller spoon is 5 1/2" long.

Close up photos of the insignia found on the forks and small teaspoon.

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