Images(3)

Wine Cooler

Date1770-1800

OriginEngland

Mediummahogany, brass, lead

DimensionsOH: 17 1/2"; OW: 28 1/4"; OD; 17 1/2"
Part C, lead liner: 8 1/4 × 19 5/16 × 27 9/16 in (21 × 49 × 70cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1972-343,A-C

DescriptionMahogany oval wine cooler on four carved lion-paw feet with Ionic capitals at ankles and brass castors below, having serpentine fluted sides with brass band above and below; sunray fluted top with oval turned knob. Removable oval lead liner with brass ring and plug in center.
A: Wine Cooler
B: top
C: metal linerLabel TextThis elegant wine cooler’s inner metal liner could be filled with ice and bottles to keep beverages chilled during a meal. Classicism pervaded almost all aspects of the decorative arts in the 18th century, including the form and ornament of this cooler. While Classical Ionic column capitals adorn the ankles of the paw feet on this cooler, the wavy flutes carved into the front echo the strigilated pattern found on the sides of Roman sarcophagi. The motif and name derived from a strigil, a curved cleansing tool that was used by the ancients for gently scraping dirt and oils from the skin.