Silver-Plated Cloche by Krupp Berndorf for First Class of Tirrenia Fleet, 1930s

Description

A classic and nowadays unusual piece to set your table; but also a nautical collector's item. It is a round … more A classic and nowadays unusual piece to set your table; but also a nautical collector's item. It is a round cloche made of silver-plated e.p.n.s produced between the 1930s and 1940s by the historic austrian metalware factory art.krupp berndorf for the first class of one of the ships of the tirrenia fleet, a fleet of 55 ships whose initial task was to offer freight and passenger transport services in the areas of the tyrrhenian sea, north africa and the western mediterranean. This fleet will remain active from 36 to 42 until the ships are converted to military use. Although this article has the manufacturer's logo engraved on it, we are not able to attribute the design of this piece to a specific designer; what we know, however, is that this company, during this historical period, began a collaboration with the italian designer gio ponti for the creation of splendid table accessories such as cutlery sets, coffee pots and teapots and that the designer at the same time was linked to other projects also at finmare. Finmare was an italian state company that owned most of the shares in the tirrenia di navigazione fleet, from which this cloche comes and for which gio ponti would design various ship interiors around the 1950s. The cloche is very heavy, an essential prerogative for furnishing accessories used on moving means of transport such as trains and ships. It has good dimensions, the tray is 37cm long by 25cm, 2cm high from the top; while the dome that covers the dishes is 28cm long by 17cm and 9cm high. There are the logos of the manufacturing company "krupp" on the back of the tray, but the real beauty is in the engraving of the tirrenia brand on the brim of the tray surmounted by a crown, and two intertwined letters "sl", of which no we have detailed information, engraved on the dome. A professional cleaned and polished the item which is in good vintage condition although it still shows signs of use and age contemporary to its 80 years of age. Reach out for any additional questions. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution less