800 silver tongs, where do we think they were born?

Silver tongs with a double head eagle. The only mark is 800. German, do we think, or Austrian?

 

We think Austrian.
The eagle heads have no crowns though, which makes it tricky.

 

Ta! What sort of age do we think? The seller thought they were plate, I'd spotted the 800.

 

It has a bit of Sezession in the decoration of the handles, so we would guess that period, late 19th-early 20th.

Eagle eye obb strikes again.

 

My guess Byzantine Empire, roman double headed eagle NO CROWN wings down. German usually has wings up.

 

What would the Byzantines have used it for, do you think? Did they have marks like this one?

 

lol...Byzantine style...800 marks were introduced in the late 1880's right!

 

That double headed eagle is indeed of Byzantine/Roman origin, even earlier I believe, but it found its way to many European countries. obb is wondering which one of those countries, specifically the ones who used this type of 800 mark, Germany or Austria. Italy also stamped 800, still does, but the style doesn't strike me as Italian.

 

Late 19th makes sense, thank you both - they did love their tongs for Things!

 

AHHH....either at some points the were one! Austria and Germany were united until 1866.

 

if I was to guess...I'd say Germany. How about you Any Jewelry?

 

No, my guess is Austria, stylewise. Just a guess though.

 

the script of the 800 looks VERY Italian and the whole item doesn't look silver; who'd throw away silver for such a terrible casting ?