Description

A charming little early English miniature dish from the reign of Charles II. Very sweet size. This little cup has a circular form with simple wirework handles and an embossed grape decoration. Owner’s initials “AA” engraved to the top rim.

Weight 12 grams, less than half a troy ounce.
Height 1.5 cm approx. Diameter of top 5.2cm. Spread across handles 7.4cm.
English, circa 1670.
Unmarked sterling silver.

Marks. Although unmarked, this little dish is typical of English wine tasters and sweetmeat dishes from the Commonwealth and Restoration periods 1650-1670. It is common for small objects such as these to be unmarked at this time.
Literature – The saucer shaped taster was already in use as early as the 14th century BC in Minoan Crete and has been essential in the production of wine right through to the present time. It is used by the sommelier to determine a wine’s quality by assessing the colour, clarity, bouquet and taste. The majority of wine tasters in existence are French. The owners often engraved their name on the taster whose single flat handle often accommodated a neck cord. Very few English wine tasters were made because wine was not a national product however a number were produced during a short period in the second half of the 17th century. These English examples are rare and anything after this date is even rarer. The early English examples were in the shape of a flat bowl, often with simple wire handles (these often have original rough soldering which can appear “blobby”).

This lovely little cup is in very good condition. Excellent patina. Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

No maker assigned

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