Fine quality 19th century mahogany Wine Cooler / Cellarette

A superb quality mahogany ornate rectangular wine cooler, or Cellarette, supported on an integral elaborately carved base. Carved and turned throughout with baskets of flowers, gadrooning, reeded and architectural-domed legs terminating in brass castors. To each end are brass lion head handles. The lead liner has a drain to the bottom which means it can hold water and be emptied wherever and when required. It is supported on its original brass castors for portability.

Although this item is not stamped as such, the sheer quality and many of the carved and brass features point to this having been made by the famous firm of cabinet makers – Gillows of Lancaster, possibly as an exhibition piece.

Wine coolers were originally used to hold ice blocks to keep bottles of wine cool in warmer months. Over the years, with the invention of refrigerators, their use has often changed to decorative flower arrangements, such as in some of the images here. They make a fantastic welcome greeting in hallways, receptions and hotels/guest houses.

The imitation flowers have been arranged and fashioned in ‘oasis’ to exactly fit this cellarette and may be purchased for an additional £275.

Dimensions: H: 24 inches W: 28 inches D:19 inches

Dated: c.1850-70.