What is a cellarette?

A cellarette is a specialised storage container built to hold wine bottles safely near the dining table. They often featured internal divisions and lockable lids. Most examples from the Georgian period incorporate metal liners to hold ice alongside the bottles during long meals.

How do I spot an original?

Look closely at the construction methods, such as hand-cut dovetails, traditional coopered staves, and period brass mountings. Timber shrinkage and patination provide clues to genuine age. Compare the proportion of the brass handles and bands to the wooden body, as later revivals often use standardised hardware.

Can I use these as planters?

Many historic wine coolers and buckets were lined with metal specifically to handle damp soil and plants. Contemporary owners frequently use them as indoor jardiniere stands. Ensure the interior zinc or metal liner is sound before adding water or earth to protect the historic timber.

What woods were used?

Mahogany remains the predominant timber found in these pieces, valued for its density and stability against moisture. Walnut, satinwood, and kingwood also appear in decorative marquetry work. Secondary woods like oak or pine often form the internal framing of the staves and bases.