Large Wine Taster, Sterling Silver

Created for the celebrated New York luxury retailer Theodore B. Starr, this impressive sterling silver wine taster is richly ornamented with a dramatic high-relief grape and vine motif. Lush clusters of grapes, curling tendrils and sculptural foliage create exceptional depth and texture, beautifully reflecting the importance of wine in both the form and decoration of the piece.

Generously proportioned for a wine taster, its large scale gives it a commanding presence far beyond the more modest examples traditionally used for sampling and evaluating wine. The elaborate repoussé-style decoration and substantial sterling silver construction make it equally compelling as a display piece, serving vessel or addition to an important collection of American silver.

Theodore B. Starr was among New York's distinguished luxury jewelers and silversmith retailers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for offering exceptional silver and decorative objects to an affluent clientele. Pieces bearing the Starr name are particularly sought after when they combine unusual form, impressive scale and highly detailed workmanship, as seen in this remarkable grape and vine wine taster.