Wine taster 1733 - 1743

This small silver "wine taster" was made by Charles Lagenet, a French silversmith who was active from 1733 to 1743. The piece, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features a simple, rounded bowl with a single, ornate handle. An inscription on the base reads "Jean Ternon," suggesting it was a personal object. The piece exemplifies the elegant and refined style of silverwork prevalent in 18th-century France.