Brass Lion Mask Cellarette
A brass lion mask cellarette is a stately piece built to cool wine, and every dining room gains presence with one.
Brass Lion Mask Cellarette
A brass lion mask cellarette provides a dedicated vessel for holding wine bottles during dining, often taking oval, round or sarcophagus forms. These pieces anchor the dining room, frequently standing upon separate wooden stands or integrated legs.
The materials and styles seen here span Georgian, Regency, Edwardian and Victorian eras. Mahogany forms the primary timber, enriched with brass mounts and occasionally boxwood stringing.
Buyers encounter forms that double as planters or jardinières alongside traditional wine coolers. The lion masks serve as functional handles while lending a neoclassical dignity to the piece.
How they were made
Cabinet makers built these vessels using solid or veneered mahogany, often employing coopered construction akin to barrel-making for the rounded bodies. Brass bands reinforced the staves, securing the heavy timber against moisture and temperature shifts.
Cast brass lion masks were affixed to the sides to act as sturdy handles for lifting the heavy vessel. Interiors frequently utilised zinc linings to hold ice and water safely without damaging the surrounding wood.
Some pieces have spent more time holding potted ferns than claret bottles.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the brass casting and the depth of the mahogany grain. Finer examples display carefully chased details on the lion masks and precise dovetailing or cooperage.
The presence of original stands and intact internal metal linings elevates an example considerably. Proportion and restraint in the brass binding separate master craftsmanship from later revival interpretations.
The Brass Lion Mask Cellarette Glossary
- Cellarette
- A chest or cooler designed specifically to hold bottles of wine near the dining table. They frequently feature internal divisions or metal liners.
- Coopered
- Constructed from curved wooden staves joined tightly together like a barrel. This technique provided the strength needed to hold heavy loads of ice and liquid.
- Sarcophagus
- A monumental chest shape with a domed or pitched lid, popular during the Regency period. These forms borrow their outline from classical stone tombs.
- Jardinière
- An ornamental stand or container for holding plants or flowers. Many period wine coolers were later adapted for this dual purpose.
- Stringing
- A narrow inlay of contrasting wood, such as boxwood, used to outline panels and edges on fine cabinet work. It adds a subtle linear definition to the mahogany surfaces.
Brass Lion Mask Cellarette: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cellarette used for?
These vessels held bottles of wine and ice near the dining table before modern refrigeration existed. Diners accessed chilled wine without needing to summon servants from the cellars.
Today, they function as striking decorative storage pieces or occasional planters within reception rooms.
How do I tell a Regency cellarette apart?
Regency pieces often favour classical architectural shapes like the sarcophagus, drawing inspiration from ancient Roman and Greek designs. They frequently utilise bold mahogany veneers and restrained brass accents.
Earlier Georgian versions tend toward oval or octagonal coopered shapes with pronounced brass bands and ring handles.
Are these pieces waterproof inside?
Original interiors often feature zinc or lead linings designed to contain melting ice and water without rotting the timber staves. Over centuries, these linings may have been replaced or sealed.
Buyers intending to use them for actual cooling should inspect the internal metalwork carefully to ensure it remains watertight.
Where should I place a cellarette?
They suit grand dining rooms, positioned neatly beneath sideboards or beside serving tables where their proportion shines. Their substantial presence also allows them to stand alone in a hallway or study.
Ensure placement avoids direct sunlight and intense heat sources to protect the polished mahogany finish.