Cider Cup, Known As A “tastevin,” Made Of Solid Silver — “love Unites Us”

Solid silver cider cup, made in Rouen in 1755 by master silversmith Jean I Clavier.

Circular in shape, the smooth, curved body rests on a base with a central navel. The rim is accented by a molded fillet. The ring-shaped handle is topped by a wide thumb rest shaped like a double accolade, engraved with foliage, hatching, and flowers.

In the center, a winged Cupid presents two flaming hearts beneath the motto “L’AMOUR NOUS UNIT” (Love Unites Us). Depicted in a walking pose and clad in drapery, the figure lends the composition a unique sense of liveliness. The body bears the inscription “F. se Lepainteur.”

The piece bears the date letter T, crowned with the Rouen mark, for 1755, the charge and discharge hallmarks from the period 1750–1756, as well as the master’s mark I.C. featuring the Paschal Lamb, attributed to Jean I Clavier.

Another wine taster by Jean I Clavier, also dated in Rouen in 1755, is housed at the Petit Palais in Paris under inventory number PPO2277.

The romantic motto and its illustration transform the thumb rest into a vehicle for a personal message, transcending its function as a tasting aid. The piece captivates with the vibrancy of its engraving and the charm of its inscription.

Among 18th-century Rouen tastevins, the quality of craftsmanship varies. The finesse of the engraving, the mastery of the decoration, and the condition of the piece strongly influence its value. Pieces by Jean I Clavier stand out distinctly for the quality of their engraved decoration.