ANTIQUE WINE TASTER Tastevin ~ FRENCH 950 SILVER ~ c.1820 Sixte Simon Rion PARIS

Description

A handsome antique French solid silver wine taster by Sixte Simon Rion, Paris silversmith. The hallmarks indicate that it dates to the 1820s and is made from 1st Standard Silver (.950) just slightly purer than sterling. Beautifully crafted,
the bowl is decorated with angled godrons for evaluating white wines and small convex perles and larger concave cupules for use with red wines, it is completed with a simple reed decorated scroll handle.
It is fully hallmarked with the Paris first standard silver 'Michelangelo' head mark, Paris 'grosse garantie' mark used 1819 to 1838. Also stamped with the maker's mark of Sixte Simon Rion as well as the Athena head mark of the Association of Gold and Silversmiths used 1794-97, Tardy notes that this mark is sometimes seen on Paris silver for a further 50 years following its obsolescence.
Rare piece and in fine condition, its shows a number of tiny dings commensurate with its 200 year old life, but nothing detrimental, it measures 3 5/8 inches across at the handle.