A classic 19th century French second standard (800/1000 pure silver) 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 elongated “godrons” for assessing the depth of color and concentration of a wine...

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...

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...

A classic sterling silver wine coaster with a turned mahogany base. The walls are simply decorated with vertical piercing and the front is engraved with the crest and motto of Scotland's Melville clan, an ancient family from whom author Herman Melville was descended. Tested and guaranteed sterling silver.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: very good, a few small dings to the underside of the bottom edge. Dimensions: 5" diameter; 1-1/2" tall.

Late Victorian sterling silver olive spoons/spears such as this are the perfect accompaniment for a sophisticated bar set-up. They can be used for olives, of course, but also for cocktail onions or cherries. They can also be used as a stir in a cocktail pitcher or shaker. The spoon retains its original semi-matte gilding. The stem is marked “925/1000 Sterling.”

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 8-1/8” long. Weight: 11.7 gr.

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" and recessed "cupules" for viewing the depth of color in a wine. The coin, dating to 1726, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the legend "Louis XV, by grace of God, king of France and Navarre." The reverse of the coin can be seen from the bottom of the tastevin...

An elegant sterling silver pierced olive spoon with an ornately pierced gilt bowl and and the handle decorated with wild roses enclosed in a curving border. The back is marked “Sterling Pat. 1903”.

Origin: America, ca. 1903. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, original gilding intact, no monogram. Dimensions: 6-3/8” long. Weight: 13.4 grams.

A figural corkscrew in the form of an equestrian boot by the R Blackinton Co. of N Attleboro, MA. The boot is nicely detailed to appear like textured leather. The corkscrew/opener is silverplated steel for strength. The boot is fully hallmarked on the bottom.

Origin: America, ca. 1915...

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...

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 classic 19th century French 2nd standard (900/1000 pure silver) tastevin, inset at the base with a 1702 coin bearing the likeness of King Louis XIV surrounded by the legend translated as "Louis XIV by grace of god King of France and Navarre." The bowl of the tastevin is finished with the typical arrangement of "perles" and elongated "godrons" designed to create reflections in the wine to better judge its color and clarity...

A cheerful Aesthetic Period sunflower card receiver with a cricket on the front and a dragonfly on the back. This silver plate receiver by Meriden Silver Plate Company of Connecticut dates late 19th C. Measures about 7 inches high.

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...

From our European Collection, an absolutely marvelous Victorian sterling silver two-handled oval serving platter by Mappin & Webb, London, 1897, fully marked, with superb chasing and casting featuring floral scrolls and phoenix, open-work gallery lions, basins and ancient mask heads, and with curled serpents for handles...

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...

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 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 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 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. The cup measures 3 1/2" high, 4 5/8" across including handle, and weighs a little over 5 troy ou...

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. Although ...

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. The varying shapes were meant to reflect light through the wine to more accurately judge its col...

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.

Marked on the interior of the lid with the first standard mark for after 1838, the “EP” touch for Emil Puiforcat and the number 2308. Around the rim of the bottom section are the makers mark and the first st...

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...

A Large Sterling Silver Gorham "King George " (1894) Roast Carving Set. The Fork is 11", the Knife is 14.5" and the Sharpener is 13.75". The pin on the holding mechanism on the fork is slightly loose, but overall in very good condition.

A vintage late Victorian period American sterling silver salver or tray c1880-1900. This 7-3/4" x 6-3/4" tray has a high relief edge and a central fancy monogram. It is stamped with the Howard Sterling Co. mark (Providence, Rhode Island 1878-1902) and the BARTENS & RICE retailer's mark (1875-1909). It weighs an impressive 217 grams (6.98 troy ounces) and it is in excellent vintage condition with no breaks, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs other than a pen point-sized dent on the tray near th...

A Victorian Era Meat Fork, with Silver Bands and a Horn Handle. Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1864 by Harrison Bros, and Howson. Dimensions; length 9.5" x 1.625 width at the tines. Excellent condition.

A Pair of Sterling Candlesticks by Dominick and Haff with an Extensively Chased Design. They are 11" high and weigh 16.5 ounces each (33 ounces total)and are unweighted. From the early 1900's and in excellent condition. Note that there are a matching pair pair of tazzas available (Item number 1417).