Hermès Buckle Wine Tastevin

A sterling silver wine taster or 'tastevin' made by Hermès. This beautifully made and designed piece has all the hallmarks one comes to expect from an Hermès piece of silver; quality, detail and tailoring elements. In this instance the handle used to angle the cup toward the mouth is made up of the tip of a belt, or perhaps riding tack. The drinking edge on the exterior of the cup is traced by the belt detail, with a superbly executed buckle and keeper detail that sits to the side. The quality of the piece is wonderful throughout, with a thick gauge of silver, but a refinement to the lip. The piece was made by the French manufacturers Ravinet D'Enfert for Hermès, and features their makers mark. They were large scale silversmiths in France and were contracted by Hermès to make home goods for the luxury atelier during the mid 20th Century. This can, of course, be used for any purpose such as a catchall. However, its origins derived from ancient French wine tradition. A tastevin is an old