Napoleonic Era French First Standard Silver Tastevin | Wine Taster | ca. 1810 | 950 Silver Antique Barware

A French first standard silver tastevin dating to the Napoleonic era, representing an early and expressive example of this regional wine-tasting form.

The bowl is worked with a lively combination of repoussé elements—concentric bosses, fluting, and engraved grape clusters and vines—designed to catch and scatter light. These features were not purely decorative; they allowed the user to better judge clarity and color in low-lit cellar conditions, giving the piece its distinctive visual complexity.

The handle, in the traditional Burgundian style of a coiled snake representing the Garden of Eden and the temptations brought on by wine, is simply formed and integrated into the body without excessive ornament. This balance between animated surface and restrained structure is characteristic of early 19th-century examples, where function remained primary but was expressed with a confident hand.

The rim is engraved with the original owner's name, I Chancel.

Stamped with French first standard departmental coq mark (1809-19), the tête vieillard guarantee mark, and an unidentified silversmith's mar ("EG"), the tastevin reflects the high silver purity associated with early French production. Pieces of this period are increasingly difficult to find, particularly in unaltered condition with strong surface definition.

A well-preserved and characterful example, with clear appeal for collectors of early French silver and wine-related objects.

DETAILS
• Origin: France
• Date: ca. 1810
• Maker: Unidentified
• Marks: French hallmarks
• Material: First standard silver (.950)
• Style: First Empire
• Dimensions: 3-1/16” diameter (excluding handle)
• Weight: 72.6 g
• Condition: Excellent