Footed Brass Wine Cooler
These footed brass wine cooler examples combine sturdy metalwork with rich timbers, designed to keep bottles chilled at the dining table.
Materials and construction methods
The makers relied on solid mahogany, walnut, and box tree timbers, often shaping them through traditional coopered construction using tight staves held by metal bands. Satinwood inlay and ebonised wood details frequently accent the primary wood bodies.
Metal components involve heavy brass and copper, shaped via repoussé work, piercing, and casting. Raised footed mounts elevate the main body, while some iterations incorporate animal head motifs into the metalwork.
Markers of distinction
Quality rests in the crispness of the repoussé detail on the brass bodies and the selection of figured mahogany for the timber elements. Pieces featuring refined inlay and robust original mounts stand apart from simpler utilitarian versions.
The balance of proportions between the vessel and its stand dictates the visual success of the piece. Superior examples display careful joinery and well-cast decorative hardware rather than hasty assembly.
Footed Brass Wine Cooler Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for footed brass wine cooler among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Materials span solid mahogany, walnut, box tree, brass, and copper across the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.
Edwards and Roberts
The Footed Brass Wine Cooler Glossary
- Cellarette
- A lockable container used for holding bottles of wine near the dining table. They frequently incorporate lead linings to hold ice.
- Coopered
- Built from curved staves of timber fitted together and bound by metal hoops, much like a traditional wooden barrel. This technique ensures liquid containment.
- Repoussé
- A metalworking technique where the artisan hammers the design from the reverse side to form a raised pattern on the front. This creates textured decoration on brass and copper surfaces.
- Jardinière
- An ornamental pot or stand designed to hold plants or flowers indoors. They share similar forms and metals with traditional wine cooling vessels.
Footed Brass Wine Cooler: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a footed brass wine cooler?
It is a serving vessel designed to hold wine bottles and ice during meals, raised on feet for table or floor placement.
Many examples double as decorative planters or jardinières, utilising copper and brass combined with timber frames.
How were these coolers used originally?
Servants filled the wooden or metal interiors with ice and water to chill wine before serving it to diners.
They stood near the dining table or sideboard, keeping bottles accessible throughout long meals.
How do I clean brass and copper?
Dust gently with a soft cloth and avoid harsh chemical polishes that strip away the aged surface appearance.
Preserving the natural patina maintains the historical character of the metal panels.
Can I use these for plants?
Many examples are suitable for holding potted plants, provided you use an inner liner to protect the timber and metal.
Historical usage often overlapped between holding bottles and displaying indoor foliage.