Solid silver tastevin from Riom, Louis XVI period, 1781

Date

1781

Origin

France (Auvergne, Riom)

Materials

Solid silver

This solid silver tastevin belongs to French provincial silversmithing of the 18th century. Its plain bowl rests on a flat base and extends into a circular ring handle; beneath the rim, an applied wavy frieze forms a delicate serpentine motif. The cup bears the name engraving “A. Lunie”. The hallmarks visible on the underside belong to the Riom généralité, in Auvergne, under Henri Clavel’s tax-farming administration, and date the object to 1781, during the reign of Louis XVI. Weighing 151 grams, it shows a natural patina from use.