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19th Century French Silver Tastevin Wine Taster browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Decorative Art:Metals:Silver:Continental: Pre 1900: item # 806011
Kensington House Antiques Kensington Maryland (301)942-0955 Guest Book $525 |
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A very handsome first standard (950/1000 pure) silver tastevin. Tastevins were used by cellarmasters, wine merchants and sommeliers to judge the color, clarity and bouquet of a fine wine and to taste a small amount directly from the barrel. This example is quite different from most. The bowl retains the convex bottom, but in this case, it’s surrounded by a beaded border. The sides are finely decorated with clusters of grapes, complete with vines and foliage. Occasionally, tastevins with grape cluster decoration are seen, but the detailing is not usually so realistic. The handle is in the shape of a coiled snake. The details of the snake are finely worked and the coiled shape has a very realistic appearance. The tastevin is stamped with the Minerve hallmark and an unidentified maker’s mark. The snake handle and the grape cluster decoration suggest that the tastevin is probably from the Bourgogne region. Origin: France, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, all original, no monograms. Size: 3-1/8” diameter (excluding handle). Weight: 52.5 grams. |
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