Antique Silver Wine Coolers
SILVER WINE COOLERS
Winecoolers are unusual in that their value is far more affected by the quality and appearance than by the date: generally the more elaborate the more valuable. With the exception of rare and rather doubtful examples, winecoolers are not generally found earlier than George III.
A pair of the 1790’s antique silver winecoolers reflecting the prevailing taste for plain silver. Their small size and attractive style make them very desirable. As you will see, armorials are an important feature of winecoolers. The liner (which goes inside) and the cape (the flat ring of silver which connects the two) should both be part-marked. Sometimes the liners are Sheffield Plate, which would reduce the value somewhat.
Old Sheffield Plate liners less 20%
About the same period, or slightly later. Less valuable, because it is taller, because it is half-fluted, a rather unpopular form of decoration, and because it has only a small crest rather than fine armorials.
Two antique winecoolers about 1815, of the typical campana shape. Note how the handles have been lowered. The first one would be more valuable because of its greater solidity, finer handles, arms, and general character.
This George IV winecooler is not everyone’s taste, and it is Sheffield made as well. As they are stamped in very high relief, look for holes. The collar between the body and foot is often rather weak, so they have a
tendency to lean slightly. They are certainly less solidly made than London ones.
A Warwick Vase winecooler about 1825. These are based on the seven foot high Roman marble vase brought to this country by the Earl of Warwick in the 1770’s. Although often copied exactly, the form inspired many adaptions, one of which can be seen on page 283. The quality of modelling of the heads and decoration is most important. Rather an interesting style. Although of the Adam period silver, the rococo strapwork is derived from the 1740’s.
The best Victorian winecoolers combine a basically plain body with cast and laid-on decoration, which results in extremely heavy, fine and decorative objects.Another example of silver wine coolers. Rather tall in proportion, and less popular. Not such fine decoration.
Tags: Antique, george iii, george iv, marble vase, old sheffield plate, ring, ring of silver, rococo, silver, Vase, wine coolers, winecooler, Winecoolers