Research:
Of gilt brass. The rectangular inset top set with nine circular apertures each with removable cup-shaped container with molded edge. The profoundly shaped body centered to each face with a ring drop-handle. The whole raised on four baluster-turned feet. The underside centered by a well-crafted drainage tap.
Provenance:
A West Coast Collection
Although made of gilt-brass, the construction of this impressive wine cooler is analogous to the work of a silversmith and, in fact, the model appears to be related known Sheffield silver plated models of wine coolers designed with multiple apertures. A significant example of such a piece is a wine cooler ordered by George Washington from Europe: “For the wine after dinner four quadruple coolers will be necessary each aperture of which to be of the size of a quart decanter or quart bottle for four sorts of wine;” one of these was presented to Alexander Hamilton upon Washington’s retirement to Mount Vernon after his presidency.
The scale of the present wine cooler, which holds an unprecedented nine bottles, suggests it was employed by a patron who hosted gatherings of significant proportions.
Full research report available on request.