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...

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 fine first-standard (950/1000 pure) silver tastevin, the bottom inset with a silver 5-franc coin from the reign of Louis Philippe. The coin has good detail, the front showing a bust of the king in profile, while the bottom shows a laurel wreath enclosing the words “5 Francs/1846”. The coin is surrounded by repousse decoration of angled godrons, small convex perles and larger concave cupules...

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

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

A Grand Continental (German) Silver Tea & Coffee Set, with a total weight of 95.7 Troy ounces. The Tea Pot weighs 30.5 Troy ounces and is 9.5" high x 12.5" wide; the Coffee Pot weighs 26.9 Troy ounces and is 10.5" high x 10" wide; the creamer weighs 10.5 Troy ounces and is 6" high x 7.5" wide; the two handled sugar weighs 12.8 Troy ounces and is 6.5" wide x 6" high; the milk jug. The set is from the late 19th century. It is in excellent condition.

A lovely first standard (950/1000) silver tastevin, the bottom inset with a 1658 silver coin depicting the youthful image of Louis XIV surrounded by text translated as "Louis XIV, by grace of God, King of France and Navarre." The sides of the tastevin a decorated with clusters of grapes and elegantly curved godrons in the style typical of Orfevre Parrod. Coin inserts, however, are unusual in Parrod tastevins. The handle is worked in a simplified snake motif typical of Dijon...

A Highly Decorated (with Cupids) Sterling Silver Coffee Pot from Augsburg, Germany, circa 1860-1880. Dimensions 9" high x 9.5" from handle to spout; weight 33 Troy ounces. Excellent condition.

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...

French Silver Louis XVIII Burgundian Style Wine Taster Tastevin An unusually heavy first standard (950/1000 pure silver) French tastevin decorated in the classic Burgundian style with punchwork grape clusters and a coiled snake handle. The grapevines are also accented with engraved flowers. The bottom has the center pinpoint found in tastevins from this period and is finished simply with a ring or shallow godrons around the edge to help reflect light through the wine...

A genuine late 17th to mid 18th century hand made openwork European grade sterling pierced strainer or ladle with a gilded bowl. This unusual 8" ladle has a gilt and pierced 2-3/8" x 2" bowl with a pouring lip, and would be a slightly higher than 800 grade silver. The openwork handle has wonderfully ornate hand made wire-work with two central medallions, which have never been engraved/monogrammed. The handle is completely hand made and it is applied to the bowl with a rat-tail...

German Baroque Classical silver wine beaker, 17th century. Urn bowl with three splayed ball supports. Clusters of fruits and vegetables and pendant ribbon bows. At top engraved presentation on occasion of child born in 1699. Gilt-washed interior. Marks include Nurnberg city stamp and maker’s stamp “I H / M”. Good condition with minor dents.

Overall dimensions: H 3 1/4 x W 2 5/8 x D 2 5/8 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BW398