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French Tastevin? 1798? Any suggestions

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2024 5:15 pm
by populous38
Hi friends
Bonjour
Can anyone help with this French Tastevin? I picked up today at an antiques fair.
The marks I am sure are French for the date 1798-1809 but I would not say 100%.
800 silver - Cockerel with a 2. Old man head with 74 in an oval cartouche.
I am not sure which town the 74 is; I haven't been able to find that as yet.
On the bottom is ?? a discharge mark - rabbits head with a B.
Maker appears to be FB in a diamond in the diamond cartouche.
Heavy 187g. Marked r or p Atie, who I guess was the owner.
Any help greatly appreciated and a date would be fantastic.
Gary
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Re: French Tastevin? 1798? Any suggestions

Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 6:42 am
by oel
Hi Gary,

Indeed French hallmarks used 19 June 1798 to 31 August 1809, head of an old man facing forward in an oval frame. Excise mark for large works in gold and silver. Number 74, for department Puy de Dôme, town of assay office Clermont-Ferrand.
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clermont-Ferrand
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Hopefully someone will help with the lozenge maker's mark FB, and the rabbit's(?) head with letter B in oval.

Peter.

Source; Michael Fieggen, French Precious Metal Hallmarks from 1789 to date. First English edition September 2024


Re: French Tastevin? 1798? Any suggestions

Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 4:10 pm
by populous38
Thanks Peter
Appreciated as always.
Gary

Re: French Tastevin? 1798? Any suggestions

Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2024 2:04 pm
by bijoux.expert
These cups are known as tastevins and are still used today to observe the colour and the taste of wine. However, in the past they were standard drinking cups carried by all men, in silver if his finances permitted it, otherwise in wood, pewter or ceramic.
Before the mid 19th century, one was obliged to bring one's own eating and drinking utensils when dining away from home, and the flat shape of these cups were suited to being carried in a pocket. Women would bring a round cup, generally offered at their marriage, to any meals eaten away from home. The cups are almost always engraved, generally quite crudely, with the name of the owner, to prevent any disputes over ownership.

Re: French Tastevin? 1798? Any suggestions

Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2024 2:19 pm
by populous38
Thanks Bijoux.expert
You don't recognise the makers marks do you. I've searched but to no avail.
Appreciated.
Gary