A French Art Deco style decanter in clear cut glass. The design features a flattened gourd-shaped body, decorated with alternating vertical flutes and geometric diamond cutting. Fitted with a cork silver-mounted stopper surmounted by a circular ring handle. The silver mount bears the Minerva head hallmark* with number 1 next to the forehead, indicating French silver of at least .950 standard. Preserved in very good condition, with minor surface wear consistent with age and use.
*From 10 May 1838, France adopted the Minerva hallmark to indicate the silver standard of a piece. The mark depicts the profile of the Roman goddess Minerva within an octagonal cartouche. Minerva 1, identified by the numeral “1” near the forehead, denotes .950 silver standard (95% silver), known in France as 1er titre or argent massif. Minerva 2, identified by the numeral “2” near or below the jawline, denotes .800 silver standard (80% silver), referred to as 2e titre. The .950 French standard contains a higher silver content than the .925 sterling standard used in Britain and the United States.
