19th century Austro-Hungarian Crest on Demitasse tray

[joyechizek]

This crest is engraved on a freeform piece of hallmarked silver with hounds head assay mark and BF in oval punch in the middle of an ebony tray with silver twig and twisted wire silver handles that match the rest of the 32 piece set. This was retrieve from Hungary in 1947 by my grandmother, Aunt and Cousin. It was said to be my Grandmother's inheritance. She was born Marie Goldschnikl in Nagyborzsony, Hungary in 1880. Her father was Jonos and her mother Roselle Gehmacher from Germany. Before coming to the U.S. in 1904, my grandmother married Harkas Fernencz in Budapest. He died in 1910 and she married my grandfather in 1911. She spoke of coming from a nobel family, but never provided any information. The demitasse set was hidden away then kept by her daughter until her death in 2013. I am looking for any information concerning this crest? Thank you. Joye

[nobilityhouse]

"It does not seem to be a crest, which is the top piece to a coat of arms. This is called a royal cypher, which is the initial or initials of a person or persons beautifully entwined and topped with a coronet signifying rank. In London the cyphers can be seen on phone boxes and palace gates. In France some of the best are seen at the Royal Chateau at Blois. In America they can be seen on souvenirs from Colonial Williamsburg." I am quoting myself from a previous post. The initials appear to be I or J (interchangeable) K H. Since the middle initial K is larger, it might be assumed that is for the last name. In the Austro-Hungarian Empire there were many minor principalities filled with aristocrats and noblemen. Since it was an inheritance it would be necessary to go back before your grandmother's time to who owned it first. And since these are usually part of a dowry, it goes down the maternal line where maiden names are sometimes lost. The coronet is a bit of a challenge, too. The style might be called an Eastern coronet with its tall spikes, but this one is topped with five pearls. Some countries are more strict about the usage of coronets, I don't know if Hungary was one of them. A Wikipedia page on the nobility and royal of Hungary has quite a few families that begin with the letter K. That may be a good place for someone who can read Hungarian to pick up the trail. Cheers. Owen.

[joyechizek]

Thank you so much, Owen for the information. I was able to trace my grandmother's family back to Germany in the 1700s. I will look for a K. Very much appreciated. Joye