Mahogany Sarcophagus Cellaret
A mahogany sarcophagus cellaret is a classical wine cooler designed to hold bottles securely at the dining table, combining architectural dignity with practical utility.
Mahogany Sarcophagus Cellaret
A mahogany sarcophagus cellaret takes the form of an antique classical tomb, constructed as a deep wooden box intended for chilling and storing wine during formal dining. These pieces emerge predominantly from the Georgian, Regency, and 18th to 19th Century periods, reflecting classical architectural influence in British domestic interiors.
Buyers will encounter variations ranging from serpentine fronted George III examples to classical Regency models mounted in brass and ormolu. Interiors frequently retain lead linings designed to hold ice and water for cooling bottles before service.
Factors of quality
Quality rests upon the selection of figured mahogany timber, the crispness of classical carving, and the integrity of internal lead linings. Finer specimens display harmonious proportions, substantial brass carrying handles, and integrated castors beneath paw feet.
Secondary details such as satinwood banding and ebony inlay distinguish superior cabinet work from plain vernacular boxes. The survival of original locking mechanisms and interior divisions also marks a higher standard of preservation.
Mahogany Sarcophagus Cellaret Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for mahogany sarcophagus cellaret 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.
Listings feature mahogany timbers combined with brass, ormolu, lead, and satinwood inlay across Georgian and Regency periods.
Robert Strahan and Co
The Mahogany Sarcophagus Cellaret Glossary
- Cellaret
- A lockable container used for storing wine bottles near the dining table. They frequently incorporate internal divisions and lead linings.
- Sarcophagus form
- A classical shape derived from ancient stone coffins featuring a stepped lid and tapering sides, popular in furniture design of the Regency period.
- Ormolu
- Gilt bronze mounts applied to furniture for decorative effect. It contrasts sharply with dark mahogany timbers.
- Serpentine front
- A curved furniture front curving outward in the centre and inward at the sides. This contour appears on select Georgian examples.
- Satinwood
- A pale exotic hardwood utilised for contrasting inlay and banding on mahogany furniture.
Mahogany Sarcophagus Cellaret: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mahogany sarcophagus cellaret?
It is a classical wine cooler shaped like a small tomb, designed to hold bottles at the dining table during the Georgian and Regency eras.
Cabinet makers constructed these heavy boxes from dense timbers to keep wine cool using ice and internal lead linings.
How were cellarets used originally?
Servants filled the internal lead-lined compartments with ice and water to chill wine bottles before bringing them to the dining room.
The lockable lid secured expensive vintages away from staff when the dining room was unattended.
How do I tell Georgian from Regency examples?
Georgian cellarets often feature serpentine fronts and simpler bracket feet, dating from the eighteenth century.
Regency models lean harder into classical antiquity with bold brass mounts, paw feet, and pronounced sarcophagus profiles.