A delightful early 19th century French silver tastevin featuring a 1770 Louis XV coin and a wonderfully decorated handle. The handle decoration depicts a man seated atop a wine barrel grasping a wine bottle in one hand and a Cupid's arrow in the other. The design is completed with the legend "Vive l'amour et le vin" ("Long live love and wine."). This type of handle was developed in the early 1700s and was used mostly in the Burgundy region...

Elaborately handled server by Reed & Barton in the "Love Disarmed" pattern. It has the old hallmarks dating back to 1899. This piece is in excellent condition, the figure on the handle and all of the repousse work are very crisp. Originally an asparagus server, it can be used for so many things. It has lovely piercings on the flat portion, and it shows no wear. It measures approximately 11.25" long and 3.75" at its widest. It weighs 255 grams. It is not monogrammed.

Absolutely beautiful silver plate tray with center crest and decoration, handles on each end and fabulous serpentine, reticulated edges. This tray is marked by the maker, but I couldn't find the mark. It is old and in excellent condition. It measures 29 1/2" long x 22" deep.

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...

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 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 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 Georgian Silver Flat Top Tankard by Solomon Hougham, London, 1796. A reeded design, with an engraved handle and a dragon in the front. Dimensions; 7.5 inches high, 36.5 traditional ounces, 33.3 "Troy ounces. Excellent condition.

This handled American coin silver cup was made by William K. Vanderslice in San Francisco, CA, circa 1870, consisting of a simple tapered cylindrical form with rope banding around rim and base. Vanderslice was an early California silversmith, working in the mid 19th century. He became widely acclaimed for his fine silverwork. This cup is marked with his name, San Francisco, makers mark and Pure Coin...

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...

An Early George III Silver Creamer or Milk Jug. Makers mark of CW, for Charles Wright. Hallmarked in London 1764. Dimensions; 4" x 3", weight; 7.3 Troy ounces. Excellent condition.

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.

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...

An Emil Puirforcat French first standard (.950) silver round box with a gold washed interior. The surface of the exterior covered with engine turning and engraved wreaths punctuated with blossoms. 3 3/8 inches (8.5 cm) diameter and 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall. Weight approx. 154 grams...

A late 19th or early 20th century sterling silver sauce ladle with a round bowl, marked on the back of the handle, “STERLING, J.E. CALDWELL & (the rest of the punch missing) PATENT.” The front of the handle decorated with a long tailed bird (Jay?) in foliage. On the back is more foliage, the marks, and the engraved initial “F.” Approx. 7 inches long. Approx. 60 grams. Condition: Some wear. Decoration still crisp. J.E. Caldwell were a major Philadelphia maker and retailer.

A George III Silver Teapot by Henry Chawner and Hallmarked in London in 1792. A Bright Cut Teapot with Serpentine Shaped Sides and Engraved with Armorials on Both Sides. A Domed Oval Hinged Lid and a Wooden Finial and Scroll Handle. Dimensions; 6" High x 4" wide x 10" handle to spout. Weight 11.8 Troy ounces. Excellent condition.

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...