(Photo to the left illustrates an extremely rare post-revolution (1930's-1946) RKVMF Russian Red Navy custard cup or small side bowl. Any Russian Naval dinnerware marked with RKKF or RKVMF is very rare and sought after.)
The rarity and uniqueness of Soviet or Russian Navy Dinnerware and Tableware as marked cannot be overly stressed or underestimated, especially given that it is the first-ever produced dinnerware for the newly created Workers and Peasants Navy! This was even before the creation of the USSR which was established in 1946 after the defeat of Germany and the dominion of Russia over Eastern Europe!
The very nature of post-revolution Russia's politcal and social structure was that everyone was considered to be of equal stature, including officer's and enlisted.
However, reality has shown that even in the Peoples and Peasants Republic the Senior Naval Officer's received special treatment, such as fine porcelain dinnerware!
Not much of Russian or Soviet Navy dinnerware survived the wars and revolutionary changes of the 20th century. First, Russia's Fleet and Navy from 1919 up to and including WWII was both small in numbers and in importance and mainly consisted of small coastal patrol craft, certainly not the ocean going trans-world fleet it possessed during the 1960's through to it's collapse in 1991.
Secondly, Russia's main focus from 1919 to 1945 was to survive as a country and political entity. Much of it's social, political, and manufacturing infrastructure was destroyed during the Russian Revolution and certainly during WWII, so its financial focus was not producing dinnerware for a small bunch of coastal ships. As such not much of Naval dinnerware was produced to begin with, and much of what was made was certainly destroyed or lost during WWII.
To the left is a 19th Century Imperial Russian Navy Rum or Spirit cup. Made of copper, riveted handle, double headed eagle as the Imperial Russian royal cipher, dated 1845, two manufacturers marks, and a 1/200 stamped measure. Some have referred to this copper cup as a "Shkalik".
The photo to the left was taken ca 1893 aboard the Russian Armoured Cruiser "Dmitrii Donskoi" (from the identifying tallys) which fought in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05 and was lost at the Battle of Tsushima and sunk in 1905. This photo clearly illustrates a group of Russian enlisted sailor's having their daily ration of rum or spirirts aboard ship. Note the "samovar" being used to dispense the spirits!
For more information and photos of antique rum cups used by the various navies of the world Click Here.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries most navies of the world followed the British Royal Navy tradition of each sailor having a daily ration of rum called a rum tot.
These authentic 1919-1946 WW2 Russian Navy and 1947-1991 Soviet Navy issued dinnerware and tableware items all have the classic Russian Fouled Anchor design as a throwback to the Imperial Russian Navy, and were used in the officer wardroom's of Russian battleships, cruisers, and naval shore installations.
Russian Red Fleet and Soviet Navy Dinnerware is VERY rare since it was only produced for the highest ranking Soviet and Russian Naval Officer's with much of it destroyed during WWII and after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990's.
As illustrated below all post-revolution Russian Red Fleet and the post-WWII Soviet Navy dinnerware displayed either 3, 4 and 5 letter initials along with a Star, Hammer and Sickle for the earliest pieces, or a crossed double and later single naval anchor. Below is a list of the initials and the attributed dates:
"RKKF" which stands for "Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot" translated to "Workers and Peasants Red Fleet" - 1920s to early/mid 1930s
"RKVMF" which stands for "Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot" (or Рабоче-Крестьянская Boehha Морской Flot) translated to "Workers and Peasants Military Maritime-Navy Fleet" - mid 1930s to 1940s
"VMF" which stands for "Voyenno-Morskiye Flot" translated to "Military Marine-Navy Fleet" or Russian Naval Forces - 1946 to 1991.
Above 9.5" dinner plate represents the very first use of a post-Revolution insignia ca 1920s consisting of a white body with blue glaze of a Hammer and Sickle within a Star, the initials RKKF along with a stylized Hammer and Sickle.
Above 12.5" fish platter represents the second generation of a Russian Red Fleet insignia ca 1920s to 1930s consisting of a white body with red glaze of crossed Naval Anchors, the initials RKKF along with a stylized Hammer and Sickle.
A visitor to The Pirate's Lair translated this as the following "Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot" (RKVMF) or "Workers-Peasants Maritime Navy Fleet". Note the unique Russian Navy stylized fouled anchor a throwback to the older pre-revolution Imperial Russian Navy.
Russian Militaria, Eastern Bloc and Soviet Navy Dinnerware and Tableware is the perfect gift idea for that special Russian Sailor or Russian Militaria Collector in your life, be it a Russian Navy Retirement Gift, a "Moving On Gift", and certainly as a Promotion Gift.
WWII Russian Navy China would also be a fantastic personal and unique "Official Government Gift" for a Russian Naval Attache', Russian Diplomat, Russian Ambassador, Charge' De Affairs, or any serious collector of WWII and Cold War Russian or Soviet Union Navy Russian Militaria!
To the left is illustrated the manufacturer's bottom mark of the cake server. And photo to the right is another view of the cake server.Russian Soviet Navy Anchor Crest with the cyrillic initials.
Above photos are of a 1920's to 1946 Russian Navy Red Fleet dinner plate in blue. Note the PKBMO (RKVMF) initials in cyrillic which stand for "Workers-Peasants Military Maritime Fleet of Russia".
Above photos are a rare example of Soviet Navy trench art or Soviet Navy militaria ca 1970-1991. A Soviet Navy Bread and Butter plate with a hand painted submarine by an unknown Russian sailor, possibly the sub he sailed on.
Note that the pre-WWII Russian Navy (RKVMF) initials were changed to the post-WWII Soviet Navy (VMF) after 1946 which is an easy way to identify pre and post WWII Russian Navy China and Dinnerware.
Above are photos of a russian naval air metal candy dish with the Wings and Red Star superimposed over the Russian Fouled Anchor. Doesn't get much rarer than this.
Above are photos of a russian navy sugar bowl. Note the newer Soviet Navy VMF initials.
Above above photos of a larger round ball-like Soviet Navy sugar bowl. Note the newer Soviet Navy VMF initials.
Photo to the left is an oblong pre-WWII Russian Navy (RKVMF) serving dish or relish dish, to the right is a post-WWII Soviet Navy (VMF) dinner plate.
Story goes that this dinner plate was used by a "white russian" naval officer who had allegiance to the Czar during the Russian Revolution. In 1923 he and other officers and crewmembers sailed their ship from a Siberian port and ultimately scuttled it in Manila Bay so that the Bolsheviks or peasants would not capture the ship. Ultimately this Russian Naval officer found his way to San Francisco and settled there, and having passed away left this plate to his close friend. NOTE: Through further research and help from "1942militaria" a collector of German and Russian Militaria we have found that the two initials on the plate are translated to the Imperial Russian "Black Sea Fleet". Through further research we have come to find that this plate was possibly used aboard the Russian battleship "Potemkin" which was eventually scuttled by the White Russians (Interventionists) in Sevastopol in April, 1917 to prevent it from being captured by the Bolsheviks. The gold edging has been worn but still there and viewable, and the anchor topmark has some wearing as well. NOTE: The Imperial Russian Crest is Backstamped Below the Glaze! |
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Absolutely Beautiful and Well Marked with manufacturers name "Boehmer", liquid measure "1/200", dated "1845", was called a "kosushka", or translated as a "shot". Holds about 2 ounces or a 1/2 Gill naval measure. This certainly was the type of copper measure used to dole out vodka or rum to the 19th century Russian sailor. |
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These obsolete liquid measures of the Russian Imperial Empire were known as "shkalik" and this particular measure with the 1/100 mark was called the "charka", or translated as wine glass. Well Marked with manufacturers name "Schwenn", liquid measure "1/100", date "1880", and other marks. Holds about 4 fluid ounces or the equivalent to a "Gill". This certainly was the type of copper measure used to dole out vodka or rum to the 19th century Russian sailor. |
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This very early (possibly even the very first use of the Russian Red Navy's post-revolution insignia) was most likely produced in 1919 to the early to mid 1920's. The topmark and striping is in a blue glaze consisting of a hammeer and sickle within a star, the initials RKKF surrounded by a peasants hammer and sickle which represent the symbol found on the Russian Communist Flag or National Ensign. The initials RKKF represent Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot translating to "Workers-Peasants Red Fleet". |
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This very early platter was most likely produced in the early to mid 1920's. The topmark and striping in red consists of double anchors, the initials RKKF surrounded by a peasants hammer and sickle which represent the symbol found on the Russian Communist Flag. The initials RKKF represents Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot translating to "Workers-Peasants Red Fleet". |
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VERY RARE! Authentic VERY Early 1920s post-Revolution (pre-WWII) Russian Red Fleet or Russian Red Navy Dinner Fork From The Russian Navy Officer's Mess. This Russian Red Fleet Dinner Fork with an 84% Silver Content Has a Flower and Viney Floral Design on Both Sides of the Handle With the 4 Tines Being Straight and Very Sharp. The Cyrillic Initials RKKF (or Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot) translating to "Workers-Peasants Red Fleet" Is Stamped onto the Rear Resting Base of the Fork. Additionally Stamped onto the Handle There is the Silver Assay Number and Makers Mark: "84 Труд ВАЧА". The Numeral "84" is the Indicates the Official and Regulatory Amount of Silver in the Fork. "Труд" is Interpreted as Trud or Work (Factory). "ВАЧА" is Interpreted as Vacha a Region in Gorky Russia Where the Factory was Located which Made the Fork. |
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Rarest of the Rare! Here is a salt shaker or pepper shaker used by the Russian Red Fleet or Russian Red Navy (RKKF). A very rare piece with the insignia topmark "RKKF" and Double Crossed Anchors with a Baranivka or Baranovka Factory Date Mark Indicating Manufacture Between 1955-1959. |
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RARE! Authentic VERY Early 1920s post-Revolution and pre-WWII Russian Red Fleet or Russian Red Navy Gravy Boat From The Russian Navy Officer's Mess. This Russian Red Fleet Gravy Boat Has a Green and White Body with the Topmark in Cyrillic Initials RKKF (or Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot) translating to "Workers-Peasants Red Fleet" within a Lifering and Anchor Designating this Pattern Used by the Martime Border Guards, the Equivalent of a Coast Guard. |
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RARE! Authentic VERY Early 1920s post-Revolution and pre-WWII Russian Red Fleet or Russian Red Navy Table Creamer From The Russian Navy Officer's Mess. This Russian Red Fleet Table Creamer Has a Green and White Body with the Topmark in Cyrillic Initials RKKF (or Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot) translating to "Workers-Peasants Red Fleet" within a Lifering and Anchor Designating this Pattern Used by the Martime Border Guards, the Equivalent of a Coast Guard. |
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Absolutely Beautiful! Wide Green Band Indicating This Was made for the Russian Naval Border Guard (or Coast Guard) and has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor, Anchor Chain and Gold Striping with initials RKKF in Cyrillic Script Around a Life Ring which stands for "Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot" or in Translates to "Workers and Peasants Red Fleet". Has small marr on edge. |
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Absolutely Beautiful! Wide Green Band Indicating This Was made for the Russian Naval Border Guard (or Coast Guard) and has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor, Anchor Chain and Gold Striping with initials RKKF in Cyrillic Script Around a Life Ring which stands for "Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot" or in Translates to "Workers and Peasants Red Fleet". Has small marr on edge. |
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Absolutely Beautiful! Wide Green Band with Lifepreserver indicating this was made for the Russian Naval Border Guards (equivalent to the Coast Guard) and has the traditional Russian Fouled Anchor, Anchor Chain and Gold Striping with initials RKKF in cyrillic script around a life preserver ring which stands for "Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Krasniy Flot" translates to "Workers and Peasants Red Fleet". Has small marr on edge. |
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Coffee Cup and Saucer Set with Early Russian Red Fleet Insignia of Initials RKKF, Crossed Anchors, Hammer and Sickle |
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Beautiful and in Perfect Museum Quality Investment Grade Condition! WWII Cold War Russian Navy or Red Fleet Serving Bowl From The Russian Naval Officer's Wardroom. This Russian Navy Serving Bowl has the Topmark Cyrillic Initials RKVMF with the Russian Anchor in Blue which stands for Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot translating to "Workers-Peasants Military Maritime Fleet" of Russia |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping with initials RKVMF which stands for Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot which translates to "Workers-Peasants Military Maritime Fleet" of Russia |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping with initials RKVMF which stands for Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot which translates to "Workers-Peasants Military Maritime Fleet" of Russia |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping with initials RKVMF which stands for Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot which translates to "Workers-Peasants Military Maritime Fleet" of Russia |
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HUGE! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping with initials RKVMF which stands for Raboche-Krest'yanskaya Voyenno-Morskoy Flot translating to "Workers-Peasants Military Maritime Fleet" of Russia |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue Only with initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This Large Salad Plate was Most Likely Produced in the Late 1940's to 1950's. |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue Only with initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This Bread and Butter Plate was Most Likely Produced in the Late 1940's to 1950's. |
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Rarest of the Rare! Here is a salt shaker used by the Soviet Navy (Russian Navy) sometime in the late 1940's to 1960's and is a very rare piece even with the insignia partially missing. |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue and Gold with initials VMF in gold which stands for Voyenno-Morskiye Sil'i or Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. |
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Beautiful! RARE, HUGE serving platter used in the Soviet Navy's Officer Wardroom Mess. |
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Beautiful and well preserved! Has the traditional post-WWII cyrillic initals VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) with Russian Anchor but this topmark insignia and rings are all done in gold gilt. Production appears to be in the 1960's to 1970's. |
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Beautiful, well preserved, some loss of gold along the rim! Has the traditional post-WWII cyrillic initals VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) with Russian Anchor but this topmark insignia and rings are all done in gold gilt. Production appears to be in the 1960's to 1970's. |
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Beautiful museum quality 8" salad plate with gold striping and gold anchor topmark. Has the traditional post-WWII cyrillic initals VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot) for Soviet Union Navy. Production appears to be in the 1970s to 1980s. |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue and Gold with initials VMF in Gold (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. |
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Has the traditional Russian fouled anchor in gold with blue and gold striping. Cyrillic initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) in gold translating to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 1986 production. |
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RARE! Absolutely Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue with Gold Highlights and initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Production Most Likely in the 1950's |
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Used in the Officers Mess and Produced by the Famous Dulevo Porcelain Company. |
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Used in the Officers Mess and Produced by the Famous Dulevo Porcelain Company. |
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Used in the Officers Mess of the Highest Echelons of the Soviet Ministry of the Navy Which was the Equivalent of the Department of the Navy in the United States. Produced by the Famous Dulevo Porcelain Company. |
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Beautiful! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue with Gold Highlights and initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Very Closely Matches Plate and Soup Bowl. Production Most Likely in the 1980's |
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Beautiful! Very Russian-Like! Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue with Gold Highlights with initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which Translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Matches the Above Round Sugar Bowl. Production Most Likely in the 1980's |
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This Soviet Navy/Russian Navy Cup Has Topmark Cyrillic Initials VMF (Voyenno-Morskiye Sil'i Flot) in Blue and Gold Translating to "Soviet Maritime-Navy Fleet". Production of this Russian Navy Cup ws by the Dulevo Factory ca 1970. |
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This Soviet Navy/Russian Navy Cup Has Topmark Cyrillic Initials VMF (Voyenno-Morskiye Sil'i Flot) in Blue and Gold Translating to "Soviet Maritime-Navy Fleet". Production of this Russian Navy Cup ws by the Dulevo Factory ca 1960. |
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There was not much silverplated items produced for the Soviet Navy in general, and certainly not much produced for the small Soviet Naval Air Force. This Candy Dish displays the Russian Naval Anchor and Wings with Red Star Insignia!! |
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Off Mkt |
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Russian Trench Art is RARE! The Plate Has the Traditional Russian Fouled Anchor and Striping in Blue with Gold Highlights with initials VMF (Sovyetsky Voyenno-Morskoy Flot USSR) which translates to Soviet Maritime Navy Fleet, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. A Russian Submariner Hand Painted a Motif of his Submarine in Wonderful Detail |
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This Water Bag was Standard Equipment in a Russian Navy Life Boat (See #31 in Lifeboat Essential Chart). Made of Canvas and Hemp Rope. |
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While The Pirate's Lair has the largest available inventory of Russian Navy Tableware and Soviet Navy dinnerware in the world the inventory is limited. This particular WWII Russian Naval China and Russian Tableware is very rare and hard to come by and is on a first come, first served basis.
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! |
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Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest |
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Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!! |
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