A Louis XIV French early 18^th century silver Royalist coin set wine taster, Paris 1708 by Grégoire Masse (1648-1709, reg. 26 June 1699)

Of conventional form, later set with coins and a medal for the House of Bourbon. The handle with a Louis XV 1/2 écu aux branches d'olivier 1720, mint mark Q for Perpignan, the sides with a Louis XIII, 1/2 Ecu, a Louis XVIII ½ Ecu 1693, a Louis XV ½ ecu, Paris mint and a Louis XVI ½ ecu, Paris mint. The bowl centre set with a Louis XIIII silver medal Victory of Denain and the Raising of the Siege at Landrecy, 1712 by J Le Blanc. The side later engraved L.A: de Breteuil 1781. The coins to the side interspersed with applied fleur-de-lis, punched work to the medal surround. Marked to the side with charge mark of Etienne Baligny (reg. 1^st Oct 1703), date letter P (3^rd Aug 1708-29 June 1709), maker’s mark G * M, also a later discharge mark of Julien Alaterre in Compiègne 1768-74. Additionally struck to the side and ring handle with post-1838 guarantee mark. 959 standard.

Length – 11.3 cm / 4.5 inches

Weight – 150 grams / 4.82 ozt

Louis Charles Auguste Le Tonnelier, Baron de Breteuil, Baron de Preuilly (1730 – 1807) was a French aristocrat, diplomat and statesman. He was the last chief minister of the Bourbon Monarchy, appointed by Louis XVI only one hundred hours before the storming of the Bastille.

The Baron de Breteuil distinguished himself in 1779 in his ambassadorial function, playing an essential part in maintaining peace in Europe. War had broken out between Prussia and Austria over the Bavarian succession after the death of Prince Elector in 1778 without a direct descendant. Finally, Maria Theresa and Frederic II agreed to submit the dispute to a double mediation, entrusted on the one hand to Catherine II and on the other to Louis XVI. The latter designated the Baron de Breteuil to represent him, while Catherine II chose Prince Repnin.

tastevin en argent, épogue Louis XIIII, Paris 1708 par Grégoire Masse