posted 09-06-2006 06:15 PM            

[Apology to the group. I truly forgot that I asked about this same set in 2004 on the Continental Silver Forum. Failed to do proper search before posting. Lesson learned.

The duplication was unintentional. It was here I was told it was a dessert set - still can't quite see how, or why a dessert would need this size pieces. I see, from the earlier posts, that I have learned a lot more about Herr H. R.. Your group is very patient with newbies.]

I have a set of very large scale pieces, but only knives, forks, and spoons. I thought it was a fish set but have been told it is a dessert set. Perhaps a discussion of how to tell the difference would be useful.



Confession: I use it as a dinner set with a menu of a cream soup, salad, and a fish entre. Does this strike anyone as inappropriate?

That is my only question. (The flatware is silver, gilded, with hand painted enamel handles. Does it qualify for a question on the silver forum? Newcomer. Guidelines not clear on vermeil.

posted 09-06-2006 06:42 PM            

No problem posting vermeil here; I think you'll find people just as interested. In this case, slightly larger (and more) photos would be good - it would be nice to be able to see the enameling. And can you tell us the dimensions? It's hard to tell just how large these are from the photo.

Personally I see nothing inappropriate with your use. The gilding may eventually wear with use, is the only thing I'd be worried about. And of course I wouldn't let them go through a dishwasher.

Perhaps someone else will be able to offer guidelines for labeling a set as dessert or fish, but my feeling is that in many such cases, without a catalog entry, receipt, or some such record, the intended use cannot be known with certainty.

posted 09-06-2006 11:18 PM            

And yes, what are the marks on your set? It looks Austrian or Hungarian to me, too. Very nice!

posted 09-07-2006 06:50 AM            

Total of six face sculptures - different on front and back of each piece.

Scenes on the front of a Knife, Fork, Spoon.
Scenes on the same 3 pieces on their backs.
Other photos available if any particular feature of interest. Whole service for Six:

posted 09-07-2006 11:30 AM            

quote:

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I have a set of very large scale pieces

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posted 09-07-2006 12:01 PM            

To answer your question about the difference between dessert and fish sets, there are a couple. In fish sets, the forks have 4 tines, and the knives would generally be broader than yours. Many fish knives do have a curved tip, but the blade surface itself is straight, whereas yours have a lovely curve to them. Finally, I have not seen a fish service with spoons-not to say that they don't exist (perhaps for Hollandaise sauce for your salmon?), but it would not be common.

posted 09-07-2006 01:18 PM            

H.Ratzersdorfer family lore: He made many of these sets. In later life he 'got religion', was wealthy, was ashamed of the pieces he made with mythological or heathen decoration, bought back as many as he could locate, and destroyed them. In his will he left nothing to his 11 children and everything to a fund to help set up a Jewish Nation (circa 1900). I have seen a photo of one other - sold at auction abt. 2000.[/IMG]
H.Ratzersdorfer family lore: He made many of these sets. In later life he 'got religion', was wealthy, was ashamed of the pieces he made with mythological or heathen decoration, bought back as many as he could locate, and destroyed them. In his will he left nothing to his 11 children and everything to a fund to help set up a Jewish Nation (circa 1900). I have seen a photo of one other - sold at auction abt. 2000.