ANTIQUE SILVER WINE COOLERS
Antique Silver wine coolers Description:
An open receptacle for holding wine/champagne bottles and keeping them cool.
Antique Silver wine coolers History:
The earliest known examples date from the latter part of the 18th century but they are rare in silver before 1770. They were made throughout the Georgian and Victorian periods and can still be found today but in much lesser numbers.
Antique Silver wine coolers Design:
The vast majority were designed to accommodate one bottle at a time and often made in pairs. They have an inside liner which is designed to hold ice or chilled water, together with flat cover, ring, or cape to cover the liner opening. Among the most notable are the Warwick Vase style designed by Paul Storr in 1812, but they were also made in many other classical styles to represent the period. They were also made extensively in Old Sheffield plate in very similar patterns.
Antique Silver wine coolers Collectors Note:
The level of craftsmanship and their aesthetic qualities determine their value. Early silver pairs command high prices. They must also be undamaged with good clear hallmarks and crisp detail. It is also very important to have the original liner and cover. If made from Old Sheffield plate then the walls of the cooler jacket should be tin-backed, not silvered. If this is the case then the condition is original.