ONE MARK OF PAUL STORR, LONDON, 1811; ONE LONDON, 1834, MARK E.B

Details

A PAIR OF REGENCY/WILLIAM IV SILVER-GILT WINE COOLERS
One mark of Paul Storr, London, 1811; one London, 1834, mark E.B
Of campana form, each on spreading circular foot chased with tied laurel-leaf band, the lower body with acanthus leaf calyx beneath an applied ovolo band, the upper body applied with grapevine festoons and ram's-mask handles, with egg-and-dart everted rim, the removable collars applied with grapevines and with cylindrical liners, each marked on base, collar and liner, the 1834 cooler also marked on shoulder
11in. (28cm.) high; 376oz. (11709gr.) (2)

Provenance

Christie's, London, July 26, 1939 (two of a set of four, three Paul Storr, 1811, one mark E.B., 1834)
S. J. Shrubsole

Lot Essay

The form and design of these wine coolers is based upon the work of Piranesi, who published his highly influential Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi in 1778. Looking to antiquity for inspiration, silver designers used engravings of Roman archaeological discoveries. It is known, for example, that Paul Storr's workshop had a number of Piranesi's engravings. This particular model ranks as one of the grandest of Regency silver designs.

A pair of wine coolers of the same design, dating to 1813 sold at Christie's, New York on January 10, 1991, on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines. Four wine coolers, also dating to 1813, from the Knole estates, are illustrated in The Glory of the Goldsmith: Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection. Another three are in the Frick Collection.

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