Silversmith: J. C. Klinkosch
Date: Vienna, ca 1900
Material: Original oak wood canteen with dear leather lining; 800 silver (Diana head hallmark between 1871 and 1922) and master mark “JCK”, monogrammed “CV”
Measurements: L 61 x W 42 x H 38 cm

Description:

Based on the model of the “Grand Vermeil” (used as the royal Viennese court silver flatware service), which was likely commissioned by Eugène de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s stepson, in 1808. It was executed by the Parisian goldsmith Martin-Guillaume Biennais and the Milanese goldsmith Eugenio Brusa. The service was intended for the court in Milan, where Beauharnais ruled as Viceroy from 1805 to 1814/15.

After its completion, the service was brought to Milan; however, following the fall of Napoleon, the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia fell to Austria. Due to the provisions of the Congress of Vienna, Emperor Francis had to purchase the service from Eugène de Beauharnais. On the occasion of his fourth marriage to Caroline Auguste, he had the service brought to Vienna in 1816, after Napoleon’s engraved coats of arms as King of Italy had been replaced by the coat of arms of Emperor Francis I. There, it was subsequently expanded to 140 place settings by Viennese silversmiths, primarily J.C. Klinkosch.

5 drawers with 228 pieces:

24 x main course forks, 24 x main course knives, 12 x dessert forks, 12 x dessert knives, 12 x fish forks, 12 x fish knives, 12 x fruit forks, 12 x fruit knives, 12 x table spoons, 12 x dessert spoons, 12 x coffee spoons, 12 x mocha spoons, 12 x compote spoons, 12 x ice cream spoons, 6 x salt spoons

6 x salt cellars, 1 x soup ladle, 2 x ragout spoons, 2 x sauce ladles, 2 x serving forks, 2 x cabaret forks, 2 x fish servers, 2 x salad servers, 2 x pâté servers, 1 x compote server, 1 x ice cream server, 1 x tea strainer, 1 x asparagus tongs, 1 x sugar tongs, 1 x sugar sifter spoon, 1 x cake knife, 1 x butter knife, 1 x cheese knife