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Description
Berndorf Alpacca Silver
Elegant Asparagus Tongs
Rare Mark used 1887-1891
On offer here is this pair of very useful and elegant Asparagus Tongs made by the Berndorf Metalware Factory of Austria.
"Alpacca Alloy" was developed in 1823 by the German chemist Dr. Ernst August Geitner (1783-1852).
Consisting of 20% nickel, 55% copper and 25% zinc, it was very similar in appearance to silver, but significantly cheaper.
The great advantage of the use of Alpacca alloy as the base metal for silver plating is that the appearance of the object does not change significantly if the silver layer should wear away with time.
This very fine example of Berndorf Alpacca silver is stamped with the rare "Striped Bear" mark apparently only used for a period of 3 years, between 1887 and 1891.
(One of the images in this listing containing multiple tongs is for illustration purposes only, we are in fact offering these items separately as well as the current item. There are also included 2 separate iamges of the typical "striped bear" mark, for your convenience and reference purposes only).
Of robust, heavy gauge these fine tongs appear to have had minimal use and as such are in very fine condition..
Condition Report
These very collectable and useful tongs are in excellent condition.
There are no losses or repairs to report.
Our images are taken in a light tent meaning
reflections are unavoidable.
11 in. (28 cm) long x 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) wide.
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