Wine cooler (seau à demi-bouteille) (one of a pair) 1746 - 1757

This wine cooler was made in France, at the Vincennes manufactory, sometime between 1740 and 1756. At this time, French society was highly stratified, with luxury goods like this serving as potent markers of social status. The cooler’s delicate porcelain material and the pastoral scenes painted on its surface reflect the aristocratic taste for refined elegance and leisure. The gold detailing further enhances its luxurious appeal, signaling wealth and exclusivity. The Vincennes manufactory itself was an institution closely tied to the French monarchy, receiving royal patronage and producing wares specifically for the court and elite circles. Understanding the social and economic context in which this wine cooler was made allows us to appreciate its significance as more than just a functional object. Art historians use archival records, such as inventories and sales records, to trace the provenance of such objects and to understand their original context and function. This helps reveal the complex interplay between art, power, and social identity in 18th-century France.