A fine mid-19th century French silver tastevin (wine taster), the base inset with an 1810 Italian silver coin from the reign of Emperor Napoleon I as King of Italy. The bottom edge of the bowl is decorated with curved, scalloped "godrons" which were intended to reflect light through white wine to judge clarity. This tastevin does not have the "cupules" ("ovoides") specifically intended to deepen the color of red wines. The sides are decorated with grapevines and clusters of fruit...

A stunning French silver box with a beautiful repoussé of Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), the famed French emperor whose military and political actions shaped greatly the European politics in the early 19th century.

The relief of “Napoleon Empereur Des Français Et Roi D’Italie”, (Napoleon the emperor of the French people and king of Italy) is visible on the cover centering the profile of Napoleon Bonaparte in his famous laurel wreath decoration. On the sid...

Authentic antique over 100 years old, circa 1900 AD, solid silver gold gilt spoon, with Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth coat of arms. An ovoid deep bowl with an elaborate stem surmounted at the top by a finial depicting a woman's bust in a classical style...

A very attractive late 19th century first standard (950/1000 pure silver) wine taster by Parisian silversmith Louis Coignet. The tastevin is decorated in the Bourgogne style with an applied handle in snake form. The serpent is beautifully decorated with engraved scales and eyes. The sides are enhanced with repousse and chased decoration of grape clusters and vine leaves. This example is classic form, but has a very steep convex bottom and no “godrons” or “perles” along the sides...

A classic 19th century French silver tastevin of traditional form by master silversmith Alexandre Vauger. This example is of small size, intended for use in evaluating cognac, Armagnac or calvados instead of wine. Unlike the “perles” and “godrons” found on the walls of a wine taster, a cognac taster more accurately reflects the liquid’s color using a smooth surface...

A French carving set; knife and fork with silver handles, beautifully engraved and crafted. Made in Paris in the 1880’s, in the classicist Louis XVI style so much “en vogue” at the time. The fork made of ivory or bone, the sharp steel blade of the knife marked Paris. Minerva head hall mark and maker’s mark of a bird, possibly, and E. Length of knife "13¼/ 33,5 cm. Condition: the little knob of the fork seems to be replaced, otherwise fine.

A Pair of Silver Open Salts with a clear glass liner; from Germany (Augsburg?), dating from the late 19th century. An open work design features a mythological figure of a bird/animal. The dimensions are 3.5" x 1.5" x 2.5" high. There is one original spoon with the set.

A superb late 19th century first standard (950/1000 pure) silver berry spoon with a shell-form gilt bowl. These spoons were originally intended for serving strawberries. The front of the handle is decorated with a twisting wreath of holly leaves and berries, and the back with a similar wreath of thistles. The bowl is beautifully worked in the shape of a scallop shell. Improvements in agriculture and railways made strawberries widely available to the wealthy classes in the 1870s...

German 800 silver figural bird bowl, ca 1910. A big beautiful swan with graceful downturned neck terminating in closed and tapering bill. Fan-shaped tail and hinged wings ready to spread for taking flight if the party chat gets too dull. Finely chased and engraved feathering from dense and imbricated to fluffy and plumy, and tucked-up taloned and webbed feet. Capacious hollow body for holding treats or flowers...

Dutch silver figural spice box. Imported to England in 1891 by BH Joseph & Co. An egret gracefully scrolled neck, red glass eyes, and gaping beak stands on one scaly leg, the other leg raised with clenched talons. A beautiful bird with nicely delineated plumage. Hinged at bust. Dutch assay stamp and date letter, and English sterling-standard import marks including London assay stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 15 1/2 x W 6 3/4 x D 4 1/4 in. Weight: 19 troy ounces. #BZ288

An elegant classic-style French silver tastevin of traditional form. The bowl is decorated with raised "perles", concave "cupules" and elongated "godrons" for assessing the depth of color in both red and white wines. The curved sides help concentrate the aroma, so only a very small amount of wine has to be poured to judge quality. The looped handle allows the tastevin to be worn suspended from a chain. Tastevins with round thumbpieces are generally from the Paris region...

German Rococo 800 silver centerpiece, ca 1900. Ovoid and bellied bowl with leaf and flower-capped split-mounted double-scroll end handles, and four scroll-mounted supports. Exuberant leafing scrolls, layered scallop shells, and open flower-strewn diaper. Two scrolled and bead-and-reel frames (vacant). Detachable brass liner. Gilt interior. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Bruckmann & Söhne). Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 8 3/4 x W 17 3/4 x D 8 1/2 in...

German Neoclassical silver tray, 18th century. Oval with crimped rim. Embossed flower basket in well and garland on shoulder. A naïve representation of modish ornament. Marked. Good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x W 10 1/4 x D 7 1/8 in. Weight: 5.5 troy ounces. #BV724

A superb Rococo-style first standard (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin by the master silversmith Marc Parrod. This large example retains the round shape of a traditional tastevin but replaces the usual bowl decoration with ornate bunches of grapes tied with ribbon bows and a remarkable handle treatment illustrating a young couple stomping grapes while holding hands. Parrod created excellent classic Burgundian tastevins, but his fantasy pieces stand apart from all the other Dijon masters. The taste...

A Continental Silver (800)Pair of Grape Shears, circa 1880, with curved handles. Dimensions; 6.25" in length. Excellent condition.

Pair of German 800 silver figural bird bowl, ca 1920. Each: Swan with ovoid body, upturned tail, and scaly-s-scroll neck terminating in in closed bill. Imbricated feathers and hinged plumy wings that can be opened to suggest flight. Hollow gilt-washed interior for holding treats. German marks including Hanau maker’s stamp (Gebrüder Neumann) and American importer’s stamp (Buchholz & Zelt). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 3 1/4 in. Wingspan: 8 1/2 in. Total weight: 1...

Unique Footed Silver (800) "Repousse" German Silver Sauce Boat. Elegant Scenes on Both Sides. One End Shaped into a Curved Handle as Part of the Body; Circa 1870-1890. Weight 4.7 Troy ounces; Dimensions 5" wide x 3.5" high. Excellent condition. Note that the details are crisper than in the photos.

German 800 silver picture frame, ca 1920. Oval window in chased and tooled surround comprising flower heads and leaves. Textural with irregular rims. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back with hinged easel support. With loose-mounted ring. For portrait (vertical) display. Marked with Hanau maker’s stamp Vereinigte Silberwarenfabrik. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 5/8 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 5 1/2 x D 4 in. #BY044