Wine cooler c. 1825
paulstorr
repetition of black
dark theme
3d sculpting
silver
dark design
sculptural image
unrealistic statue
dark focal point
england
black colour
repetition of black colour
black object
This silver wine cooler, crafted by renowned English silversmith Paul Storr around 1825, is a prime example of the Neoclassical style. Its elegant form, with a wide, flaring rim, a deep, round body, and a circular base, echoes the classical Greek and Roman traditions. The surface is adorned with intricate, repoussé decoration of grapevines, emphasizing the piece's function as a wine cooler. The inscription on the base, "The Right Honourable Thompsons," indicates its connection to a prominent family. The "Wine Cooler" is a testament to Storr's skill and artistry, embodying both functionality and aesthetic refinement.
Comments
The wine cooler, or ice pail, was a French refinement for keeping wines cold at the dining table. By the Regency period in England, the wine cooler had become an important part of the decorative scheme, almost a piece of sculpture that was left out for the entire meal. Storr's Neoclassical design echoes a classical Greek vase. The handles are cast in the shape of twining grape stems, and the body is elaborately decorated with a profusion of cast and chased grapevines, acanthus leaves, scrolls, and vases of fruit. This wine cooler was repurposed as a racing trophy for the Ayr Gold Cup the same year it was made. The horse race has been held in Ayr, Scotland, since 1804 and still takes place each September. The inscription notes that John Anstruther Thomson was the owner of the winning steed, Lancer.
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