Argentine Tango Souvenir Knife and Fork Set with Gold Accents
Flatware (Steak Knives and Forks) · Unknown Argentine artisanal manufacturer/souvenir workshop. These are typically produced by regional manufacturers in Buenos Aires specialized in Gaucho-style and souvenir silverware.
Pattern: Tango / Buenos Aires Commemorative Pattern. Introduced mid-to-late 20th century; widely available in Argentine tourist markets.
Type
Flatware (Steak Knives and Forks)
Maker
Unknown Argentine artisanal manufacturer/souvenir workshop. These are typically produced by regional manufacturers in Buenos Aires specialized in Gaucho-style and souvenir silverware.
Material
Likely Alpaca Silver (Nickel Silver) or 800 Silver plate handles with stainless steel (acero inoxidable) blades and tines. Features 'Vermeil' style gold-tone accents on the highlights.
Dimensions
Standard luncheon/steak size. Knives approx. 8-9 inches; Forks approx. 7-8 inches. Handles are hollow-cast, giving them a lighter feel than solid silver.
Description
A striking twelve-piece steak service set themed around the iconic Argentine Tango. Each handle features a detailed three-dimensional scene of a man and woman in a dance embrace, set against a cobblestone-textured background. The heads and footings of the handles are accented with gold-colored finish, creating a two-tone aesthetic that is typical of Argentine luxury souvenirs.
Key Features
The 'Tango' and 'Buenos Aires' inscriptions; the high-relief figural dance scene; the two-tone silver and gold finish; stainless steel 'Inox' blades.
Material & Composition
Likely Alpaca Silver (Nickel Silver) or 800 Silver plate handles with stainless steel (acero inoxidable) blades and tines. Features 'Vermeil' style gold-tone accents on the highlights.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized antique finish to enhance repoussé relief. High-relief cast decoration depicting a couple dancing the Tango, with the inscriptions 'BUENOS AIRES' and 'TANGO'. Molded ribbed pommels with gold-tone highlights.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually stamped 'INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA' and 'ALPACA' or '800' on the bolster or near the base of the handle. Blades are likely etched 'Acero Inoxidable' (Stainless Steel).
Construction Details
Machine-cast hollow handles joined to stainless steel functional ends via bolsters. Often filled with a resin/cement for weight and stability. Decorative bands are applied or integrally cast.
Functional Features
Serrated knife blades for meat service; four-tine forks. High-relief textured handles provide a non-slip grip.
Handle & Grip Details
Cylindrical handles with figurative relief. Material is a silver-toned alloy; likely pinned or epoxy-bonded to the tang of the stainless steel components.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial-grade casting. While the design is intricate, the repetition of identical figures shows a machine-molding process rather than unique hand-chasing. Good alignment between handles and steel components.
Authentication Indicators
Subject matter (Tango) and 'Buenos Aires' lettering are definitive markers of Argentine origin. The presence of 'Alpaca' or 'Inoxidable' stamps would confirm they are high-quality nickel-silver or plated tourist ware rather than high-purity sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Argentina, specifically Buenos Aires. Manufactured in local workshops utilizing traditional Argentine silver-working motifs for the tourism and export market.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (Modern era, c. 1970-present). Designed in the traditional 'Platería Criolla' style but adapted for commercial souvenir production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1980–2000. The zippered travel pouch and contemporary stainless steel finishing suggest a late-20th-century origin.
Cultural Significance
A representation of Argentina's 'Platería Civil' (Civilian Silverware) tradition. This set serves as a 'cultural ambassador' item, intended to be sold to visitors as a memory of the city's artistic heritage.
Condition Notes
Very Good/Excellent. The pieces appear to be in their original retail zippered case. Minor surface tarnish on the handles; blades and tines show no signs of heavy use or sharpening wear.
Value Estimate
$75.00 - $150.00 USD for the set. The pictured price tag shows $100.00, which is a fair market retail price for a complete 12-piece set in a case.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soapy water and dry immediately to prevent spotting on stainless steel. Use a very light silver cream on handles only if tarnish becomes black; avoid abrasive cleaners on the gold-toned accents as they may rub off.
Similar Pieces
Gaucho-style 'Facón' knives (usually with ornate sheaths) and traditional Alpaca matte cups. Competitors include Plata Lapas or other higher-end Argentine silver brands which would be 925 sterling.
Interesting Facts
Tango was born in the slaughterhouse districts of Buenos Aires; it is fitting that the imagery is most commonly found on steak knives, celebrating Argentina's two most famous exports: beef and dance.