Octagonal Wine Cellarette
An octagonal wine cellarette is a capacious vessel designed to hold bottles and ice near the dining table, offering robust timber construction and secure metal banding.
Octagonal Wine Cellarette
Buyers seeking an octagonal wine cellarette encounter traditional storage pieces originating primarily from the Georgian, Regency, and 18th-century periods, alongside later revivals from the 1920s. These vessels take the form of wine coolers, cellarettes, and trunks designed to house bottles securely in dining spaces.
The most frequently encountered examples on this page are mahogany vessels featuring characteristic eight-sided bodies, often enhanced by brass binding or wood inlay. Pieces emerge in various historical interpretations, ranging from authentic George III items to Anglo-Indian colonial variants and early twentieth-century revivals.
Object categories span across wine coolers and cellarettes, sometimes categorised broadly under trunks and chests due to their hinged lift-up tops. Selecting a piece involves recognising the distinct geometric proportions that separate these eight-sided designs from rectangular or oval cooling vessels.
Materials and construction
Cabinetmakers utilised dense timbers such as mahogany, padouk, teak, and satinwood to construct the eight-sided bodies of these vessels. Wood veneer and intricate wood inlay further decorated the surfaces, particularly on formal Georgian and Regency examples.
Metal components played a structural and decorative role, with brass banding securing the stave construction much like a coopered cask. Hinged lift-up tops allowed access to the internal compartments while maintaining the solid exterior aesthetic.
Octagonal Wine Cellarette Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for octagonal wine cellarette 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.
Current listings feature pieces spanning the 18th century, Georgian era, Regency period, and 1920s revivals.
Evaluating craftsmanship
The standard of timber selection and joinery marks the primary division between standard and superior examples. Finer pieces display carefully matched grain patterns, precise inlay work, and robust internal framing capable of holding heavy glass bottles.
The integration of brass mounts and hardware distinguishes regional workshops and period pieces from later revivals. Original mounts that fit the timber contours tightly demonstrate superior execution compared to replacement or loosely fitted metalwork.
The Octagonal Wine Cellarette Glossary
- Cellarette
- A lockable container used to store wine bottles near the dining table before refrigeration became common. These vessels often contained lead-lined interiors to hold ice.
- Brass Bound
- A construction method where metal hoops or straps encircle wooden staves to reinforce the body. This technique derives from cooperage used for casks and buckets.
- Padouk
- A heavy tropical hardwood valued for its durability and rich colour. It appears frequently in Anglo-Indian colonial furniture.
- Satinwood
- A yellowish timber used for decorative veneers and inlay work on high-status furniture. It provides strong visual contrast against darker woods like mahogany.
- Campaign Chest
- A modular chest of drawers or trunk designed to be dismantled for military travel. Versions with hinged lift-up tops overlap functionally with wine storage.
Octagonal Wine Cellarette: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an octagonal wine cellarette used for?
These vessels were originally manufactured to keep wine bottles chilled and secure in the dining room during long meals.
Today, owners often repurpose them as planters, side tables, or standalone storage trunks in living spaces.
How do I date an octagonal wine cellarette?
Dating relies on examining the timber species, joinery techniques, and metal hardware relative to documented stylistic periods like George III or Regency.
Later 1920s revivals typically display different interior construction methods and secondary woods compared to 18th-century originals.
Are all these cellarettes lined with lead?
Many period examples featured internal lead linings designed to hold melted ice water safely without rotting the surrounding wood.
Over the centuries, some linings have been removed or replaced, altering the interior appearance.
Can I use a cellarette as a coffee table?
Because of their height and hinged lift-up tops, most cellarettes function better as side tables or corner pieces rather than standard coffee tables.
Placing a glass top over the lid can protect the antique wood surface from daily use.
What distinguishes Regency style from Georgian pieces?
Georgian pieces from the 18th century often exhibit restrained classical proportions and rich mahogany patination.
Regency examples tend toward bolder architectural influences, sometimes incorporating elaborate brass inlay and exotic woods.