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Wine taster
Probably by: François Cheret
France (Paris)
1672–73
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver
Dimensions
3.8 x 11.9 cm (1 1/2 x 4 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.272
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionWine taster with circular bowl with high, slightly curved sides. Applied shellhandle has a circular ring grip underneath. The bowl is inscribed LB.
Marks
Maker's Mark: a fleur-de-lis, two grains, a half wheel(?), the rest incomplete. Nocq, p.255 says that Francois Cheret's mark is a "fleur de lys couronnee, deux grains, un demie roue entre un F et un C". Warden's Mark: a crowned D, probably 1672-1673, not illustrated, but 1669-1670 is an A in the same style as the D, as is the E which is the letter for 1673-1674 (Dennis, 351-352). Duty Mark: 1672-1677, precursor to the charge mark: a crowned A with three fleurs-de-lis (Dennis, 351-352). Other: Guarantee mark used after 1838 for medium-sizedwork: a small boar's head (Tardy, p. 173).
InscriptionsEngraved L.B.
ProvenanceElizabeth Parke Firestone (1897-1990) and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (1898-1973), Akron, OH and Newport, RI; 1993; gift of the Estate of Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. to the MFA. (Accession date: May 26, 1993)