French Tastevin Wine Taster with Medallion Inset
Hollowware (Specialized Barware) · Unknown French Silversmith; the central medallion appears to be a commemorative or numismatic inset, possibly related to Normandy regional heraldry.
Pattern: Traditional Tastevin Form; often produced by various workshops in regions like Burgundy or Bordeaux following classic provincial designs.
Type
Hollowware (Specialized Barware)
Maker
Unknown French Silversmith; the central medallion appears to be a commemorative or numismatic inset, possibly related to Normandy regional heraldry.
Material
French Silver, likely .800 or .950 (Sterling equivalent), featuring a solid silver body and potentially a base metal or higher-purity silver central medallion.
Dimensions
Diameter: Approx 7-9 cm (2.75-3.5 inches); Weight: Estimated 60-100 grams. Standard individual sommelier size.
Description
A classic French sommelier's tastevin featuring a brilliant mirror-polished interior bowl. The center is dominated by an intricate heraldic medallion encircled by circular repoussé bosses which serve to aerate the wine and catch the light. This piece combines functional viticulture history with decorative French provincial metalwork.
Key Features
Heraldic central medallion with French inscriptions, circular light-reflecting bosses, and the low-profile traditional wine-tasting form.
Material & Composition
French Silver, likely .800 or .950 (Sterling equivalent), featuring a solid silver body and potentially a base metal or higher-purity silver central medallion.
Finish & Decoration
Polished high-shine bowl with 'godron' or 'cupule' circular repoussé bosses surrounding a central cast medallion. The medallion features heraldic shields, gothic script, and a centralized 'H' or crest.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically found on the handle or rim; likely includes the Minerva head (French standard) or a lozenge-shaped maker's mark. Marks are not clearly visible in the overhead view.
Construction Details
Spun and raised bowl with an applied cast central medallion and traditionally a 'snake' or ring handle (unseen from this angle). The bosses (domes) are hammered from the reverse (repoussé).
Functional Features
The shallow concave shape and raised bumps (bosses) are designed to reflect light through wine to assess color, clarity, and sediment in dim cellar lighting.
Handle & Grip Details
Handle is likely a side-mounted serpent-shaped ring or a flat thumb-rest, standard for 19th and 20th-century French wine tasters.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays skilled hand-chasing in the medallion housing and precise repoussé work; the symmetry of the light-reflecting domes indicates a high-quality workshop.
Authentication Indicators
The construction of the repoussé domes is consistent with French silversmithing techniques; the medallion shows authentic casting wear; weight balance appears correct for solid silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
France, likely manufactured in a regional center like Lyon or Paris for the wine trade or tourism market.
Era & Period
Late 19th to Mid-20th Century; Neo-Gothic/Renaissance Revival influences in the central medallion.
Age Estimate
Circa 1920-1950 based on the crispness of the medallion casting and the classic 'Tastevin' proportions.
Cultural Significance
An iconic symbol of French wine culture and professional sommelier status, often given as gifts to commemorate wine brotherhood inductions.
Condition Notes
Very Good condition; shows light surface scratches consistent with use. The medallion details remain sharp. Minor tarnish in the crevices of the repoussé work.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on the specific weight and the rarity of the central medallion's heraldic origin.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a soft cloth and high-quality silver cream; avoid dishwashers as the heat can damage any lead solder used to attach medallions.
Similar Pieces
Standard Burgundy tastevins (usually with more fluted sides) and Christofle silver-plated versions (which lack the stamped hallmarks of solid silver).
Interesting Facts
The 'bumped' design of tastevins was necessary before electricity; the bumps allowed candle light to refract through dark red wines, making it possible to judge quality in dark caves.