A large, three-pronged fork

A large, three-pronged fork together with a knife and spoon form a set of so-called table centerpiece cutlery. The cutlery is used to scoop food from bowls or platters onto smaller plates prepared for all the guests at the table.

Similar to the smaller cutlery, the table centerpiece fork has a flat handle with a flared end decorated with a double profile. The reverse of the handle shows a count's crown with the Potocki family's coat of arms, i.e. Pilawa, below it. On the sides, there are symmetrically arranged letters R and P with a visible sash with the inscription “Julin” under the coat of arms . In addition, punches and the manufacturer's stamp “Christofle” can be seen on the handle necking.

Christofle is a company founded in 1830 by Charles Christofle which has still been operating today. It specialises in tableware and silverware.

In Julin, there is a hunting lodge built by the second owner, Alfred Józef Potocki. The Potockis' hunts attracted representatives of notable families, including members of the Zamoyski family, the Lubomirski family, the Radziwiłł family, President Ignacy Mościcki and numerous foreign guests, including George, Duke of Kent, Emperor Franz Joseph and Archduke Rudolf.

Anna Szczęsny