About this lot

Description

A 19th century French metalwares tastevin, of traditional circular form with beaten finish, gilded lip and a simple twist handle, the side engraved 'Le Roi', the field stamped with Minerva's head within an octagonal shield, indicating a minimum silver standard of 950/1000, with insect bigorne to the reverse alongside an unidentified maker's mark 1.3ozt 2 x 7.50 x 7.50cm (1 x 3 x 3in)
Other Notes: In an attempt to prevent the counterfeiting of silver hallmarks, the French authorities passed an Ordinance on 1st July 1818 which introduced a system of countermarks on the opposite side of the guarantee mark. These countermarks are known as "bigornes". The term bigorne translates as a two-horned anvil which was used during the hallmarking process. The ends of the anvil were engraved with finely drawn representations of insects. The silver article was placed on the horn of the anvil and when the guarantee mark was struck, the force of the strike created a counter-impression of the insect on the underside of the article resting against the anvil.

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