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Lot Essay
With their rich rockwork bases, floral details and, most of all, the extravagantly rococo-inspired shape of the basin with its scrolling lip and handles, these wine coolers closely relate to English silver-work of the 1820's. Examples exist with similar elements such as a pair of silver wine coolers by Robert Garrard dated 1825 (sold Sotheby's, New York, 11 April 2000, lot 154) and another pair of silver-gilt wine coolers by Benjamin Smith of 1826 (sold Sotheby's, New York, 15 December, 1993, lot 96).
Other pieces being supplied by Paul Storr and John Bridge and retailed by the celebrated London firm of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell are also similar to the present wine coolers (see C. Hartop, Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797 - 1843, London, 2005, nos. 26 and 56, pp. 87 and 101). Among the most spectacular of these examples are the tureens, probably from John Flaxman's designs, and supplied by Rundell's to King George IV between 1826 and 1829 and still in the Royal Collection.
Other pieces being supplied by Paul Storr and John Bridge and retailed by the celebrated London firm of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell are also similar to the present wine coolers (see C. Hartop, Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797 - 1843, London, 2005, nos. 26 and 56, pp. 87 and 101). Among the most spectacular of these examples are the tureens, probably from John Flaxman's designs, and supplied by Rundell's to King George IV between 1826 and 1829 and still in the Royal Collection.