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 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 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...

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.

An absolutely delightful bronze calling card tray, the center designed with a small frog atop a traditional baroque-style wave. The top edge of the dish has a wonderful scene of four frogs riding big-wheel bicycles along a road. They have quite good balance, as all have their arms crossed. The lead frog is even smoking a pipe. Road markers reading “2Km” and “3Km” mark their progress...

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.

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...

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 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...

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.

Wonderful old fox hunting motif whip rack. Painted metal, solid brass hooks, iron fox head. Measures 28" tall by 22" wide and 5" deep.

Great pair of cast iron owl andirons with glass eyes that light up from the flames of the fire. They measure 15" tall X 9 1/2" wide x 16" deep, are attributed to Howes Foundry of Boston, Mass., and are from the 1880s. They are marked on the side of the rail #918-1 and Made in USA, and on the back of the owl 3000 and the number 2. They are in excellent original condition with no damage, including the glass eyes.

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 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...

Cast iron horse head hitch pair painted black with excellent patina and preservation for their ages which we estimate to date to the 19th C. Unmarked. These horse heads would be fantastic garden conversation pieces. Dimensions: 13" h

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 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. Condition: good, three small creases to the sides of the boot (not particularly noticeable since the boot is designed to have a well-worn appearance with lots of creases), and some typical plating loss to th...

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 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. The taster is c...

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.

This is a beautiful, large bronze cherub standing on a rouge marble base from the late l9th century that was made into a lamp. It measures 45" tall to the top of the light. The cherub itself is 20" tall and it stands on a marble base that is 10 1/2" tall. It is in beautiful condition, the cherub's arms are pinned where they should be and its a beautiful addition to any home. I can find no artist name or stamps on the piece, but it is a great 19th century sculpture.

Beautiful bronze statue by Eugene Marioton, French, 1854-1925, titled "Vainquer." The statue itself stands 27 1/2" tall, and it sits on a bronze and rogue marble pedestal that measures 44" tall, making the complete set just under 6" tall. The statue is inscribed Eug. Marioton, and Siot-Decauville is the French foundry. There is some minor pitting on the bottom by the signature, but none at all on the statue body or pedestal This beautiful statue and pedestal is being sold as a set only.

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.

A pewter tankard marked with the partial touch of John Townsend on the bottom of the inside of the bowl. There are no other marks except the engraved initials “I or J Y” on the front of the tankard. It is 7 inches (17.7 cm) tall and about 6 ½ inches (15 cm) from the front to the back edge of the handle.

Condition: Excellent. The engraving is very crisp. There are a few small dings on the edge of the lid and along the bottom edge. The body of the tankard is slightly indented where the b...

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 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 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. The coin, dating to 1732, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the Latin inscription “Louis XV, by grace of God, king of...

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”. Bruckmann, one of the most important Imperial German silversmiths of the Jugendstil period, worked with many leading designers. In this case, the designer was...

Dating to the early days of the 20th century, this brass spirit kettle was made by WMF of Germany, in the Jugendstil or Secessionist design. WMF stands for Wertembergische Metallwarefabrik, a German tableware company founded in 1853. Always of high quality and still in existence, they were well known for their excellent and iconic designs, from Art Nouveau through the Secessionist, Jugendstil eras, including Art Deco. This brass spirit kettle dates to approximately 1905, and embodies the clas...

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. Special implemen...

A rare and elegant boxed set of six sterling silver citrus spoons in Paye & Baker's "Orange" pattern. The handles are decorated front and back with oranges, orange blossoms and foliage. Paye & Baker primarily made souvenir spoons, and this particular pattern was usually associated with Los Angeles, considered a very exotic location at the beginning of the 20th century. These spoons are the only set we've seen made as citrus spoons. The sharply-pointed deep bowls retain their original matte gildi...

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. The handle is marked for...

A very nice small-size silver plate wine taster in the classical style. The bottom features the typical convex bottom surrounded by concave "godrons" adn "cupules." intended to create high and low spots to better appreciate the color of the wine as light is reflected through it. The open shape also allows the bouquet to develop quickly so the wine can be tested easily. The snake handle is generally seen on tastevins from the region of Bourgogne. The tastevin bears an unidentified maker’s mark....

An incredible monumental Japanese solid cast bronze Peace Bell custom iron stand with clapper. Inscription with dated, location and donor of bell. Bell is in excellent original condition with no repairs or damage. The sound is absolutely stunning lasts for a very long time 世話人 Sponsors (or Caretakers)
[7 names]
高岡市 鋳物師 老子次右 Takaoka City Caster: Oigo Ji[emon] context seems likely to refer to 衛門, as part of the name Oigo Jiemon, a famous caste...