What is an antique cellaret?

An antique cellaret is a specialised container built to store bottles of wine and spirits in the dining room. Historically placed beneath the sideboard or beside the table, these lockable boxes kept precious vintages secure from household staff.

How were cellarets used?

They held wine bottles ready for dinner service, often packed with ice in a metal-lined interior to chill the contents. Once dining finished, the bottles were locked away inside the heavy timber chest.

How do I tell Georgian from Regency?

Georgian cellarets often feature straight lines, octagonal shapes, and delicate stringing, reflecting eighteenth-century tastes. Regency examples tend to adopt bolder architectural forms like the sarcophagus shape, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity.

Where do I put a cellaret?

A cellaret works well as a standalone statement piece in a dining room, serving as a low table or a corner accent. Many modern collectors also use them in living spaces as side tables or discreet storage boxes.