Home Tableware & Barware | Antique German Henninger Bros. Alpacca Demitasse Spoons in Case - Set of 6 - GT23308

Antique German Gebrueder Henninger (Henninger Bros.) Set of Six “Alpacca” Demitasse Spoons with Case.

This sweet set was found in Berlin, Germany about 25 years ago. Each Spoon has an Art Deco Beaded Pearl design on the handle. No Monogram.

The Spoons and their Case are in very good condition with age and wear from normal use. Each spoon has “Alpacca” stamped on the back of the handle. The Brown Cardboard Case has a resting slot for each spoon and cloth batting to protect and cushion the set.

The Alpacca alloy was developed in 1823 by German chemist Dr. Ernest August Geitner (1783-1852). It was very similar in its appearance to silver, but significantly cheaper. It consisted of nickel, copper, and zinc.

The Henninger Bros. proposed a similar alloy which they called “Neusilber”. Later it was used under the Trade Name of “Alpacca” (or Alpakka). The great advantage of the use of the Alpacca alloy as the base metal for silver plating is that the appearance of the objects does not change significantly with the wearing away of the silver layer.

Each spoon measures 4 1/2” Length x 7/8” Width. The set in the case weighs 3.46 oz or 98 grams.