Fine George III Period Mahogany Navette-shaped Wine Cooler or Jardiniere on Stand c.1770

A fine 18th Century (circa 1770) George III period mahogany Navette-shaped wine cooler or jardiniere on Stand of navette (tapering oval) form with integral carved scrolling handles. The piece of coopered construction with two wide brass brands and with an integral shaped liner made to match. The stand with chamfered square sectioned legs joined by a turned cross stretcher of elegant and refined proportions. This form of open wine cooler or jardiniere is highly unusual. Designs featuring the same basic form were illustrated in Chippendale’s 1762 edition of the Director but, as the image below demonstrates, the forms were complicated with a lot of superfluous ornament that was not particularly well conceived. It is likely that the navette form of this piece was inspired by Louis XV period sauce boats, popular on the most fashionable French dinner tables. Sometimes these pieces have side handles but many have just the side pouring lips. An example is in the Mtropolitan Museum. The maker of the present piece was likely also inspired by designs for trays or ‘voiders’ such as those published in 1762 by Ince and Mayhew in their Universal System. Tray designs frequently incorporated scrolling, carved, handles, something which is much rarer on wine coolers and jardinieres. There is a small group of what the trade has termed “bottle stands”, shallow wine coolers with scroll handles, set on conforming stands. The most famous of these was in the Samuel Messer collection and sold at Christie’s in 1991. It is also illustrated in the Hotspur 80th Anniversary book. Another example was at Shrublands Park. All of these pieces are of more conventional oval form, however, illustrating further the rarity of this particular design which is likely to have been the result of a one-off commission. Although likely originally intended as a wine cooler/bottle stand, the piece would be equally useful today as an attractive jardiniere. It is a remarkable example of English design of the 18th century that would enhance any collection.