Wine bottle cooler (one of a pair) 1725 - 1740

This delicate wine bottle cooler was crafted in Chantilly. Its surface is adorned with stylized flora and fauna. These motifs, reminiscent of East Asian art, were very popular in 18th century Europe. The handle, shaped like a blossom, invites us to delve into the symbolic language of flowers. Think of the ubiquitous rose, a symbol of love in Western art, or the lotus in Eastern traditions, signifying purity and spiritual awakening. This cross-cultural pollination reveals how symbols migrate, adapt, and accrue new layers of meaning, mirroring our collective unconscious. This humble object transcends its practical function, sparking a silent dialogue across cultures and epochs. The wine cooler reminds us that even the most mundane object can be a vessel of powerful cultural memory.