English 19th Century, Copper and Brass Jardinière or Wine Cooler W/ Lion Mounts

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Description

English, 19th century, an oval copper and brass jardinière or wine cooler of refined neoclassical taste, distinguished by its finely … Read more English, 19th century, an oval copper and brass jardinière or wine cooler of refined neoclassical taste, distinguished by its finely executed proportions and striking interplay of materials. The flared rim and upper register are formed in pierced brass, intricately cut with a rhythmic pattern of alternating upright and inverted triangles, producing a decorative openwork frieze that allows for elegant shadow play when displayed in natural light. This pierced gallery surmounts a smoothly planished copper body of rich, reddish-brown hue, now attractively patinated with mottled verdigris oxidation to the interior—testament to its age and authentic use.

The sides are mounted with well-cast gilt brass lion-mask handles, each grasping a ring in its mouth, a motif deeply rooted in classical antiquity and widely favored in British metalwork throughout the Georgian and Regency periods, extending into Victorian production for pieces of refined utility. The vessel stands on a flat, oval copper base with a rolled rim, showing hand-soldered construction throughout, including visible seams and traces of tinning along the interior. The form, while functional, is elevated through the sophistication of its materials and detailing, aligning it with the domestic decorative arts traditions of late Georgian and early Victorian England.

Measuring approximately 17.25 inches wide by 12.25 inches deep and 7.5 inches high, this piece would have served as a table-top wine cooler or hearthside jardinière in a well-appointed interior. Its geometric brass gallery reflects an early flirtation with Aesthetic sensibilities, while its lion-mask mounts and copper craftsmanship firmly root it in the 19th-century English metalworking tradition. See less