WWII Royal Italian Navy Dinner Plate Backstamped and Dated June 1940 (6-40) by Richard Ginori w/ Fascist Fascio Symbol on Anchor. Photo to the left Illustrates a fine china dinner plate used by the Italian Navy (Regia Marina Militare Italiana) in the Wardroom Officer's Mess and produced by the famous porcelain manufacturer Richard Ginori. Note that this topmark does not include the "Royal Savoy Crown" found on much of the Italian Navy dinnerware.

Photo to the Right Shows the WWII Royal Italian Navy Plate's Topmark (Regia Marina or Royal Italian Navy) in an all dark red color consisting of a Fouled Anchor with Twisted Arm and intertwined to the anchor there is the Italian FASCIO which was the symbol of the Fascist Party that governed Italy from 1922 to 1943.

Brief History of the Fascio: The Fascio or Italian Fascist symbol was used by Mussolini's Italian Fascist Government from its rise to power in 1922 until it's defeat by the allies in 1944. The term originated in ancient Rome and has been used by various political entities such as Revolutionary France in the late 18th Century. Fascio comes from fascia, which means "bundle", as in a political or militant group or a nation. But also from the the word fasces (rods bundled around an axe), which were an ancient Roman symbol of the authority of magistrates.

Above Photo's Illustrate the Italian Navy Plate's Bottom Mark showing date of production by the manufacturer Richard Ginori being June 1940 making this a WWII historical artifact.

The above 4 photos are of an Italian Senior Officers Mess soup bowl and dated September 1939 (9-39).

The topmark or insiginia consists of the wartime fouled anchor with fascio along with the ItalianHouse of Savoy Royal Crown. This topmark is detailed with gold relief and certainly used in a very senior officers mess.

As is the other Italian Navy dinnerware, this is made by the Richard Ginori and date coded as per the backstamp.

WWII Fascist Italian Navy Silver Plate Fork dated 1940. Above photo shows a rare officers wardroom silverplated dinner fork with the traditional fouled anchor with the fascio (as described earlier) but along with the House of Savoy Royal Crown!

The fork is backstamped or hallmarked "Sambonet 1940". It is beautifully designed and very detailed sporting twisted rope along the top edge of the handle terminating in a square knot.

From other documented flatware it appears that this pattern and design of rope along the edges with various square knots and naval insignia stamped onto the top handle was standardized for multi year and multi vendor production.

WWII Fascist Italian Navy Silver Plate Flatware dated 1939. Here is another WWII-era knife and fork set with the House of Savoy Royal Crown over a stylized monogrammed initials "RM" (regia marina) over the fouled anchor; but interestingly enough without the "Fascio" as shown earlier on both the dinner plate and fork.

However both the knife and fork sport the same pattern and design as the prior pattern with rope details. Also note that the very slight difference in both of the insiginias. The knife was produced by G&G Sambonet.

Post-WWII Dinner Plate, Late 1940s-1960s.The above white dinner plate is from the Italian Navy ca 1946-1960's whose topmark consists of a Twisted Arm Naval Anchor imposed over a wooden ships wheel with the words "Marina Militare" on the left and right sides of the wheel's body.

After WWII and Italy's defeat the Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) was simply and unpolitically changed to "Marina Militare" (or literally Navy Military) or the Italian Navy under which it is still known today.

It is not known where or exactly when this plate was used by the Italian Navy, however interestingly enough the backstamp is only indicated by the Spanish word "Vitrinas" within an oval. Vitrinas in English means Vitrified for non-porous china which was the method of how this dinnerplate was produced. So it appears that this dinner plate was produced sometime after WWII for the Italian Navy by porcelain or china producers located in Spain. It certainly stands to reason that this may be the case since most if not all of Italian production was destroyed or inoperative after the Allied invasion and the final Italian defeat.

Italian Navy w/ House of Savoy Crown, 1960s. Photos above illustrate an Italian Navy Serving Bowl in a seashell pattern with the House of Savoy Royal Crown over a Twisted Arm Naval Fouled Anchor currently in use today.

Note that the Crown of the House of Savoy as shown on the left located on top of the fouled anchor was not shown on the above plate that was produced during Italy's Fascist regime or immediately after its defeat in 1944.

Above is a stainless steel flatware set consisting of an 8" dinner fork, 8" table spoon, and a 10.25" dinner knife. Note that the insignia on the handles are the same as that found on the 1960s china serving dishes, plates, cups, and saucers. The flatware is hallmarked "Inox Pinti 1963".

Above is a fantastic and elegant small 8oz personal glass carafe with a stylized fouled anchor used in the officers mess. This is certainly a stylistic departure from your tradional "fouled anchor" insignia.

Both Photo's Illustrate a Pair of "Regia Marina" Royal Italian Navy Egg Cups or Goblets in Silverplate. Note the Crown of Savoy (House of Savoy which ruled Italy) above the Fouled Anchor.

The manufacturer of these two (Regia Marina) Royal Italian 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 ALPACCA trademark was only used between 1891-1930 which helps to date this piece. For a link of Berndorf Metalware of Austria silverplate marks and historical information Click Here. Note that the Berndorf/Alapacca Mark used on the Egg Cups was used between 1891-1930.

The letter "U" most likely was engraved on the base of the two egg cups post-production by someone in either the Italian or Austro-Hungarian Navy, possibly an Officer's initials, and we have no idea as to it's meaning. It could also mean Unter-seeboot or U-boat fleet, we shall never know.

For true historical purposes it should be noted that these two egg cups may also belong to the now defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire Navy (Kaiserliche und Konigliche (KuK) Kriegsmarine) that was dismanted as part of the agreed upon armistice ending WWI.

The engraved topmark or insignia for the Royal Italian Navy and the Imperial Austro-Hungarian Empire's Navy were very similar in appearances. In fact after the dismantling of the KuK Kriegsmarine and as part of war reparations the Italian Navy received many of the KuK's navy ships and war materiel. Another reason why we think that this could be also be of the Imperial Austro-Hungarian Naval origin and provenance is that Berndorf was headquartered and had factories in Vienna, Austria. However Berndorf also had a factory located in Milan, Italy as well. Quite possibly we will never truly know which of the two navies these goblets actually belonged to, or perhaps to both of them!

Photo to the left is a Royal Italian Navy Enlisted Mess Galley Aboard Ship Late 1880's

Photo to the right is an Royal Italian Navy Maritime Magazine Cover dated 1904 illustrating the Savoy Crown, very similar to the Austro-Hungarian Crown.

Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Egg Cup ca 1930's-1940s RARE! Authentic WWII Royal Italian Navy Egg Cup (Regia Marina Porcellana, or Marina Militare) with Naval Insignia Showing the House of Savoy Crown in Gold, above a Fouled Anchor, with the Facist Fascio "Axe" Symbol on the Haft of the Anchor! Presumed to be Produced by "Richard Ginori" From a 3 digit Pattern Mark on the Bottom of the Cup.	Click Photo!	2 7/8" wide x 2 1/2" high	$275.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Egg Cup ca 1930's-1940s RARE and Beautifully Handsome! Authentic WWII Royal Italian Navy Egg Cup (Regia Marina Porcellana, or Marina Militare) with Naval Insignia Showing the House of Savoy Crown in Gold, above a Fouled Anchor, with the Facist Fascio "Axe" Symbol on the Haft of the Anchor! Backstamped and Produced by "Richard Ginori" and Dated Sept 1939 (9-39) Along with a Pattern or Product 3 Digit Code "350".	Click Photo!	9"	Not For Sale	Historical Purposes Only
Post WWII Italian Navy, Marina Militare, White Dinner Plate Beautifully Glazed! White Body with Blue Fouled Anchor and Ships Wooden Wheel inscribed with "Marina Militare" 1950's Era	Click Photo!	9"	Not For Sale	Historical Purposes Only
RARE! Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Nautical Scallop Shell Large Serving Bowl ca 1962 Beautifully Glazed! White Body with Scallop Shell Design with 1960's Era Blue Royal Italian Naval Insignia by famous Italian china producer Richard Ginori	Click Photo!	10.25" x 9.25"	$595. each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
RARE! Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Nautical Scallop Shell Large Oblong Serving Dish ca 1962 Beautifully Glazed! White Body with Scallop Shell Design with 1960's Era Blue Royal Italian Naval Insignia by famous Italian china producer Richard Ginori	Click Photo!	9.75" x 5"	$425. each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy Gravy Boat with Royal Navy Fouled Anchor and Crown Beautifully Designed Gravy Boat	Click Photo!	9"	$395. each Sold	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Coffee Cup ca 1962 Beautifully Glazed! White Body Design with 1960's Era Blue Royal Italian Naval Insignia by famous Italian china producer Richard Ginori	Click Photo!	4"	$45. each (cup only)	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Coffee Cup Saucer ca 1962 Beautifully Glazed! White Body Design with 1960's Era Blue Royal Italian Naval Insignia by famous Italian china producer Richard Ginori	Click Photo!	6"	$45. each (saucer only)	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Coffee Cup and Saucer ca 1962 Beautifully Glazed! White Body Design with 1960's Era Blue Royal Italian Naval Insignia by famous Italian china producer Richard Ginori	Click Photo!	n/a	$80. each (cup and saucer)	Call To Order 540 659 6209
RARE! Italian Navy, Regia Marina Militare, Large Double Handled Gravy Boat ca 1962 Beautifully Glazed! White Body Design with 1960's Era Blue Royal Italian Naval Insignia by famous Italian china producer Verbano of Laveno, Italy	Click Photo!	9.25" x 6"	$595.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy Officer's Personal Crystal Wine Carafe with Stylized Fouled Anchor Beautifully Designed Personal 9" Crystal Wine Carafe, Holds Approximately 1 Cup. Very Classy, Beautiful and Stunning Piece!	Click Photo!	9" (holds 1 cup)	$49. each All Sold	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Italian Navy Officer's Cut Crystal Punch Glass with Royal Navy Fouled Anchor with Crown Beautifully Designed Cut Crystal Punch Glass	Click Photo!	9" (holds 1 cup)	$55. each All Sold	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Royal Italian Navy Officer's Dinner Silverware Collection Beautifully Designed With Entwined Roap in Square Knots with Stylized Anchor and initials RM for Regia Marina Dated 1939.	Click Photo!	8.5" and 10.5"	Dinner Forks, Knives, Serving Pieces	Historical Display Only

Below are links to other Antique Nautical and Naval Artifacts that may be of interest:

Authentic 100+ Year Old Nautical Antique Trunks The Real Deal! Fully Restored Antique Trunks Like Sea Chests, Pirate Chests, Treasure Chests - Perfect as a Naval Retirement Gift, use as a Shadowbox and to store Uniforms and Service Memorabilia!	Click Here To Review Sample Engravings	The Largest Selection of Antique Trunks on the Net to Choose From!
OPTIONAL - Trunk Wood Engraving Examples and Prices Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest	Click Here To Review Sample Engravings	Personalize Your 100+ Year Old Antique Trunk in Perpetuity!
Antique Trunks as a Shadow Box and Storage Chest! Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!!	Click Here for Sample Shadow Box Photographs From Customers	Why just get a shadow box or a newly made trunk with no history! One of our 100+ Year Old Nautical Antique Trunks can be used for both a Shadow Box and Storage Chest for your Uniforms, Photograph Albums, and Memorabilia!

The Pirate's Lair
Division of DataCity, Inc.
78 Canterbury Drive
Stafford, Virginia 22554
Phone: 540-659-6209

Click Here and Return to The Pirate's Lair Home Page www.thepirateslair.com
"Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business"
Or
Email the-pirate@thepirateslair.com



Or Click HERE to return to The Pirate's Lair Home Page and Gangplank!