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Lot Essay
These wine-cisterns, intended to accompany sideboard tables, are likely to have been commissioned by Edward Eliot (d. 1804), 1st Baron Eliot of St. Germans, for the family seat at Port Eliot, which he inherited in 1748. Port Eliot underwent a series of modifications in the 17th and 18th century followed by a significant alterations by the architect Sir John Soane from 1802 which included the refurbishment of the Round Dining Room. This room had been conceived some years earlier by John Johnson (d. 1814), county surveyor of Essex and a local architect. The wine coolers may have been supplied at the time of this previous renovation.
The distinctive lion's mask ring handles are featured on wine coolers supplied by Thomas Chippendale for Cannon Hall and Dumfries House (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, pp.78-9, figs. 120-124). This model was also used by Gillows (S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London Vol. I, Suffolk, 2008, p.307, pls. 337 and 338).
The distinctive lion's mask ring handles are featured on wine coolers supplied by Thomas Chippendale for Cannon Hall and Dumfries House (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, pp.78-9, figs. 120-124). This model was also used by Gillows (S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London Vol. I, Suffolk, 2008, p.307, pls. 337 and 338).