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Napoleon III French Silver Tastevin Wine Taster browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Decorative Art:Metals:Silver:Continental: Pre 1900: item # 804909
Kensington House Antiques Kensington Maryland (301)942-0955 Guest Book $595 |
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A superb first standard (950/1000 pure) silver tastevin, the bottom inset with a five-franc silver coin dating from the reign of Empereur Napoleon III. The tastevin is in the classical style associated with those originating in the Paris area. Indeed, the maker is Henin & Cie, a distinguished orfèvre once located on rue des Archives in Paris. The sides of the bowl are decorated with vertical gadrooning and both concave and convex bull’s-eyes. Most often, the bases are domed, but occasionally, one finds a tastevin with a coin insert like this. Tastevins were used by cellarmasters, sommeliers, and wine merchants to judge the color, bouquet and taste of a bottle without pouring a large quantity. The outside lip is engraved with the name of the original owner, a woman from a family of the lower nobility, Marie-Ange de Tonie. The tastevin is stamped with the first standard Minerve, the bigorne and the maker’s mark for Henin. Origin: Paris, 1868. Condition: excellent, no dings, normal superficial wear from use. Size: 3” diameter (excluding handle). Weight: 89.75 grams. |
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