Early 19th Century Antique George III Mahogany Cellaret

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Description

Offered is a fine Regency cellaret, in the manner of C.H. Tatham.

This fine piece is a quality example of … Read more Offered is a fine Regency cellaret, in the manner of C.H. Tatham.

This fine piece is a quality example of early 19th century English hand-carved and crafted mahogany workmanship. This wine cooler or cellaret has generous proportions, after a design by Charles Heathcote Tatham. The storage chest has a flat hinged lid, above a flat moulded front, features Trafalgar rope trim on lower front area of chest and front supports above lion's paw feet, rear supports turned, gilt brass lion handles at sides, a lock mechanism with key at front, metal casters. The interior has two removable lead liners and 5 stationary mahogany compartments. Circa 1810.

Notes:
It is a beautiful decorative and useful piece, that has seen quite a few parties in its lifetime, 200+ years. The piece has a remarkable graphic and architectural design, strongly influenced by Roman antiquity. Such a smart and sophisticated cellar would likely have graced a fashionable Regency interior of great refinement.
Amazing state of preservation, too: desirable rich colour and splendid figuring to veneers. Fully original and functional lead linings. A rare opportunity to own this remarkable design.

Conceived in the 'Antiquarian' manner, popularised in the late 18th - early 19th centuries by England's leading architects and designers, such as Henry Holland, Charles Heathcote Tatham, Thomas Hope, George Smith and etc., this cellaret's features are modelled after an ancient Roman porphyry sarcophagus known as the “Tomb of Agrippa.” Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (c. 64/62 BC–12 BC) was a Roman statesman and general who played an instrumental role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Principate by aiding Octavian, later known as Augustus, first emperor of the Roman Empire. Arguably the most notable contribution, however, was the building complex constructed on his own land in the Campus Martius, consisting of the Basilica of Neptune, the Baths of Agrippa and the Pantheon. The ‘sarcophagus’ was, in fact, a basin from the Baths. It was discovered in the fifteenth century, and was “admired not only for its artistic merit, but for the porphyry out of which it was made, and the great name with which it was associated.” After its discovery, the sarcophagus was displayed in Rome, and has served as the tomb of Pope Clement XII since 1730's. The model was imitated in various forms, from marble tombs and basins, to decorative objects like salt cellars, mantel ornaments, hob grates, and stools.

This design is derived from C. H. Tatham's etchings representing the best examples of ancient ornamental architecture drawn from the originals in Rome and other parts of Italy, during the years 1794, 1795 and 1796, 1799, pl. 77. Tatham had been encouraged by his mentor, the architect Henry Holland, to study and collect antique fragments and sculpture: the editions of etchings, which appeared from 1799-1810 are of the first importance in forming the new archaeological appreciation which Thomas Hope would go onto synthesize so dramatically. See less