Wine Taster, Nantes 1739, Jean Lemoing Or Le Moyne Solid Silver

Very pretty and solid wine taster or wine taster in sterling silver from the Louis XV period with the hallmark of the master silversmith Jean Lemoing (1690-1751) or Jean Le Moyne (the spelling varies according to the sources) and with the hallmarks of the jurande of Nantes for the year 1739. The cup in thick silver  rests on a ring. Its handle is designed in the shape of a snake. The hallmarks are very legible. Its author, Jean Lemoing, is a goldsmith with a somewhat particular background. He began his apprenticeship in Rennes with the silversmith Rahier before working with several silversmiths in Nantes. His reputation as a bad boy proved to be an obstacle to obtaining the mastership  and he ended up taking refuge in the governor's castle to work there under his protection. This situation lead to several lawsuits between the guild of goldsmiths and our rebellious craftsman. It was not until 1732 that the Cour des Monnaies de Paris forced the goldsmiths of Nantes to accept him as master goldsmith, on condition that he finally left the château (Les orfèvres de Nantes page 97). Weight 105 grams.