Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have an elegant Belle Epoque Era French 800 Silver Tastevin or Wine Taster in the Burgundian style. The circular cup has a round handle with a sinuous tail to represent a grape vine. The interior has an assortment of dimples and indentations designed to reflect light through the wine in order to judge its colour.

The tastevin was made in Paris, France by the renowned silversmiths Hénin & Cie and dates to between the 1880s and 1910s, the Belle Epoque era. Beginning as Thomas & Hénin in the 1860s and going through a variety of name changes in the following years, Hénin & Cie (or & Co) were one of the great names amongst 19th century French goldsmiths and silversmiths, known by that name from 1875 to 1891 and again from 1896 onwards. Based in Paris they were suppliers of high quality items to wealthy French customers.

Condition is extremely good, with no dings or dents (apart from the intentional ones!) and just the minimal superficial surface wear that you would anticipate with use and the passage of time. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The tastevin is 9.5cm / 3.7ins from rim to handle, 7cm / 2.7ins in diameter and 2cm / 0.79ins deep. It weighs in at a very respectable 61.1g / 2.1oz of solid silver.

The underside of the base is stamped with the H & Cie mark for Hénin & Cie whilst both the cup, below the rim near the handle, and the handle itself have the Minerva 2 stamp for French 800/1000 grade silver.

Shipping in the UK is £12.50 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the tastevin.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.