German Classical silver beaker cup, 18th century. At top leafing scrollwork and scallop shells; at bottom twisted leaf-and dart border. Ornament chased and heightened with engraving. Interior gilt washed. Maker’s mark comprising letters S and I. Condition: Minor dent on bottom otherwise very good with excellent patina.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 3 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BX624

Very large and Early Silver Beaker, North European, Baroque period, dated 1701.

Perhaps misleading to call this large Baroque Silver vessel, a beaker, it could be used as a vase. A beautiful engraved vessel with dotted decoration on the body and with a central medallion engraved with CFS:BRD and below the dating 1701. A double concenthric line to the rim which is engraved with the letters P:L:A:M:B.

Size: 12,4 cm. heigh and ca. 11 cm. wide.

Weight: ca. 213 grams...

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...

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pour silver) French tastevin. Rather than the typical "perles" and fluted "godrons," the bowl is decorated with repousse grape leaves, berries and shells in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometimes seen in tastevins made by Parrod, one of the most influential makers of tastevins in the 19th and 20th centuries...

A very good first standard (950/1000 pure) silver small-size tastevin by the highly regarded Dijon silversmith Marc Parrod. This example retains the classic round shape with a convex bottom, but the usual "godrons" and "cupules" are replaced by repoussé grape clusters alternating with "cupules". Each grape cluster is accented with stylized vines. Parrod was particularly noted for this unique variation...

A very pretty early 20th century French silver tastevin in the style typical of Dijon in the Burgundy region of France. This style retains the usual convex base surrounded by a wreath of “perles”, but the gadrooning (“godrons”) along the side have been replaced with a decoration of very finely worked grape leaves and clusters of fruit. The handle, also in typical Burgundian style, represents two snakes with the heads of ducks grasping the forbidden apple between their beaks...

A very good first standard (950/1000 pure) silver small-size tastevin by the highly regarded Dijon silversmith Marc Parrod. This example retains the classic round shape with a convex bottom, but the usual "godrons" and "cupules" gare replaced by repoussé grape clusters alternating with raised "perles". Each grape cluster is accented with stylized vines. Parrod was particularly noted for this unique variation...

Gorgeous Italian 800 silver repousse wall plate, finely crafted hand hammered decor. The back of the plate contains a hanger for wall hanging. 19th Century.
Measures: 12.20" (31 cm) diameter.

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pure silver) French tastevin. Rather than the typical “perles,” "coupules," and fluted “godrons”, the bowl is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometimes seen in tastevins made by Marc Parrod, one of the most influential makers of tastevins in the early 20th century...

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...

Possibly made in Italy or Denmark. With beaded base and knop stem. Finely etched with leaf garland (Imperial) surrounds the piece. Seals on the side. Early 20th Century.
Measures: 8 2/16" (20.32 cm) tall X 4.25" (10.79 cm) in diameter.

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...

A wonderful boxed set of six 800 silver Jugendstil (“Art Nouveau”) demitasse or chocolate spoons, each featuring a scene from different Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The tales include “Bremen Town Musicians”, “The Frog Prince”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Hansel & Gretel”, “Sleeping Beauty”, and “Puss in Boots”...

Extremely elegant Louis XV-style French silver master salt dip with cobalt glass liners. The shapes of the containers remind me of Louis XV bombe commodes. The repousse design is very architectural in nature, and makes use of numerous decorative elements such as fluted columns, ribbons, cartouches, and pendant bellflowers. Surprisingly, none of the four cartouches has ever been monogrammed. Although intended for salt only, this piece could be used today to serve both salt and pepper. The se...

An 800 Silver (German) Four Footed Center Bowl, circa 1895. It has Extensive Repoussee Designs on the Inside Rim and the Center of the Bowl Depicting Romantic Scenes, Possibly Court or Royalty Related. It weighs 11.8 Troy ounces and measures 9" across by 2" high and is in excellent condition.

An outstanding Restoration period French silver wine taster in the 18th century style typical of Lyon. With the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, many old styles from the ancien regime once again came into fashion, and this tastevin, building on decorative elements typical of the 1770's, is a perfect example. Tastevins with snake-form handles were particularly popular. Those with a pair of snake heads that somewhat resemble bird's heads flanking a sphere are typical of silver from Lyon. T...

A very attractive French silver (1st standard=950/1000 pure silver) tastevin, the bottom inset with a 1785 silver coin showing the bust of King Louis XVI. This tastevin departs slightly from the traditional form, with the fluted “godrons” placed immediately around the coin and the sides finished with very nice repousse decoration of grapes, vines and leaves. The tastevin is finished with a single coiled snake handle. Tastevins set with royal coins seem to have been popular during various ...

A fine early 19th century silver tastevin in the 17th century Burgundian style, inset with a Louis XIV silver ecu coin. The coin is surrounded by a “couronne” of 27 perles from which extend elongated “godrons”. These elongated grooves, without any corresponding circular grooves typically meant the tastevin was intended for use only with white wines. The godrons are further enhanced with small bunches of grapes. The handle, in a stylized design of two entwined snakes, with the heads a...

A classic 19th century French silver tastevin of traditional form and the bottom inset with a silver coin from the reign of Louis XV. The sides of the tastevin are decorated with the traditional raised "perles", recessed "cupules" and elgongated "godrons" for viewing the depth of color in a wine. The coin, dating to 1734, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the legend "Louis XV, by grace of God, king of France and Navarre." The obverse of the coin, with sharp detail, can be seen fro...

An elegant first standard (950/1000 pure silver) French silver tastevin in typical 18th century Burgundian style. Rather than with the typical "perles" and fluted "godrons", the bowl of this tastevin is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometimes seen in tastevins made by Parrod, but the particular decoration is different than any other we've seen. Similarly, the handle, in the form of two duck heads grasping an apple is a very exagg...

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. The handle...

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. Similarly, cognac tasters are smaller than wine tasters because the alcohol is considerably stronger and a smaller ta...

This very fine antique rectangular-shaped French silver and gilt boardroom snuff box features a highly engraved scroll and floral decoration with central cartouche and gilt lined interior, hallmarked on lid rim, mid 19th Century. Wt: 54.8g; Size: 3 3/8" x 1 5/8"; Excellent condition with very minor wear to gilt

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. Similarly, cognac tasters are smaller than wine tasters because the alcohol is considerably stronger and a smaller ta...

A very nice Imperial Russian enameled silver spoon by Gustav Klingert. The bowl is beautifully decorated in five shades of opaque cloisonné enamels and in translucent red and amethyst. The design I modified floral pattern with a Persian-style reserve. The handle is finished in a fish-scale enameled pattern. Exposed areas of silver are stippled and gilt. The interior of the bowl is engraved “Moscow”, indicating that the spoon was sold as a souvenir to an American or English visitor. Th...

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

A Dutch Silver Sugar Caster or Muffineer. Weight, 7.3 T ounces. Dimensions; 8" high x 4" at center. Very good condition. Circa 1880.

A Small but elaborate Repousse 800 Silver Pin Dish from Germany, circa 1890. Dimensions; 4.5" x 3.5, weight 1.5 Troy ounces. Excellent condition.

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. Th...

Boxed Austrian Silver(Diana head mark, introduced 1886 plus 3,A, for 800 and Vienna and initials FR in rectangle) Dessert Serving Set in Wooden Box, with Brass Trim. Consists of six knives (7.5"), forks (7"), spoons (5.75"), two serving spoons (10", 8.5") and a serving fork (7.75"); total weight 31.1 Troy ounces. Box is 14.5" x 10". Excellent condition.

A Silver (Continental) Quill Dip Pen with a Silver Filagree Feather End and a Filigree Body. There is a mark on the pen that we cannot identify, but appears to be European. Dimensions; pen 8.25" ling, with quill 9". Excellent condition.

A classic 19th century 2nd standard (800/1000 pure silver) tastevin, inset at the base with a 1669 coin bearing the likeness of King Louis XIV surrounded by "Louis XIV by grace of God King of France and Navarre." The obverse of the coin can be seen from the bottom of the tastevin. The coin is surrounded by the typical pattern of "perles" and elongated "godrons" designed to create reflections in the wine to better judge its color and clarity. The handle is formed as a pair of intertwined snakes g...

A Wonderful Pair of German Silver (835 standard) Candelabra, Made in Germany, circa 1890. It has three arms and an Art Nouveau design. All bobeches are intact. Dimensions; 9.75" high x 11.5" wide. Weight; 15.5 Troy ounces each, slightly weighted. Excellent condition.

An Oval Silver Tea Caddy; Made in Nuremberg, Germany, circa 1880 and Stamped Germany for export at a later date. Village scenes on each side. Weight 6.4 Troy ounces. Dimensions; 4.25" high x 4" wide x 2.75" deep. Has the "n" mark for Nurenberg and the number 13 (0.812 silver) on the lip of the bottom (both barely visible in the picture). Excellent condition.

An Italian "800" Silver Ewer and Underplate (or basin) with Mounted Carnelians on Each Piece. From Milano, Italy, late 19th century. Excellent condition and Very elegant. Dimensions; ewer 4.5" high, underplate 5" in diameter.

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pure silver) French tastevin. The bowl is engraved with repousse grape clusters and leaves in the 18th century style, but also with the more traditional raised “perles” and “coupules” seen in 19th century examples. The combination of the two is quite unusual. The handle is in the form of two snakes grasping an apple between their jaws—an element thought to stem from the Garden of Eden and intended to remind drinkers of temptation. The tastevin bears...