Mid 20th Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Wine Cooler

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Description

A Taste of La Dolce Vita

This enchanting porcelain cachepot captures the playful spirit of mid-century Italian design at its … Read more A Taste of La Dolce Vita

This enchanting porcelain cachepot captures the playful spirit of mid-century Italian design at its finest. Created exclusively by Este for Saks Fifth Avenue during the golden age of Italian ceramics, when the world's most discerning retailers sought out artisans who could transform everyday objects into works of art.

From Versailles to Fifth Avenue
Mid-Century Italian Hand-Painted Porcelain Wine Cooler

Found at a Vermont Estate Sale... A Taste of La Dolce Vita

This enchanting porcelain cachepot captures the playful spirit of mid-century Italian design at its finest. Created exclusively by Este for Saks Fifth Avenue during the golden age of Italian ceramics, when the world's most discerning retailers sought out artisans who could transform everyday objects into works of art.

From Versailles to Fifth Avenue

The cachepot—literally "hide pot" in French—was popularized by Madame de Pompadour at Versailles, where these elegant vessels concealed humble earthenware planters and doubled as wine glass rinsers between courses. By the 1950s, cachepots had evolved into versatile entertaining essentials: equally at home displaying orchids, chilling champagne, or serving as an ice bucket for an intimate cocktail hour.

The Saks Fifth Avenue Story

During the 1950s and '60s, Saks Fifth Avenue curated an exceptional home collection sourced from Europe's finest makers—pieces that exemplified both superior craftsmanship and design innovation. This cachepot represents that era when American department stores acted as tastemakers, introducing postwar shoppers to the sophisticated charm of Italian artistry.

Artisanal Details

The hand-painted cherry motif brings vintage whimsy and Continental elegance in equal measure—beautifully rendered fruit that speaks to the Italian love of natural forms and celebratory color. The lustrous glaze demonstrates the quality and attention to detail that made Italian porcelain so coveted by collectors and tastemakers alike. Every brushstroke reveals the hand of the artisan.

Versatile Elegance

The 6.25" scale makes it wonderfully adaptable—perfect as a planter for your favorite succulent or orchid, a chic ice bucket for a dinner party, a wine glass rinser for formal entertaining, or simply as a standalone accent that adds a touch of vintage Italian charm to any shelf or tabletop.

Condition: Honest and authentic. The exterior glazed surface remains in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or crazing—testament to its quality construction. The interior shows wear and staining consistent with previous use (see photos). Ideal for use with a cachepot liner or for dried botanicals.

Dimensions: 6.25"H × 6.25"W × 6 1/8" interior diameter

Made in Italy
Este for Saks Fifth Avenue
Hand-painted porcelain
Mid-century vintage, circa 1950s
Marked on base

A delightful addition for the collector who appreciates authentic Italian design and the quality of vintage Saks Fifth Avenue exclusives—when department store home goods were curated with the same care as haute couture.

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