Pardon me as I cannot seem to get off this alcohol theme. Holidays are around the corner and I must subconsciously be thinking about spending time with the family -- which means lots of alcohol. (I'm part Irish, you know.)
Above is a George III figured mahogany cellarette. The lid opens to reveal a lead-lined divided interior. This failed to sell at Sotheby's in October 2007. Perhaps I'm reading into it too much, but I love the radiating heart-shaped form in the veneer. It is as if the little cellarette is saying 'I love wine'.
An English mahogany sarcophagus form cellarette. With a renewed verve for all things Roman, the sarcophagus shape was very trendy during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The rectangular top has canted corners over a conforming case with lead lining and supported by carved paw feet. Northeast Auctions, Ronald Bourgeault Auctioneer in May 2008.
Brunk Auctions characterized the above cellerette as "An important North Carolina cellarette". Made of walnut with hinged top, it opens to reveal a fitted interior. It has a drawer underneath to tuck away utensils. This cellarette has blind dovetailing at all four corners. Note the sweet pierced brackets. This one was attributed to "WH" cabinetmaker, from the Roanoke River Basin in North Carolina, and dated around 1790-1800.
In January of this year it had an estimated value between $15,000 to $30,000. It fetched over $97,000. My my, an important cellarette indeed.
A few centuries ago, there was no Two Buck Chuck. In this country and in Britain, wine was a luxury. Such issues as weather, disease, weak grapes and aphids could not be controlled. Even though Franciscan missionaries had established vineyards in California, it was not until the nineteenth century that wine was really produced in America. People prized their wine and stored the bottles tightly away in lavishly decorated containers called cellarettes. They had lids and could be locked. They were usually made in the form of a wooden chest, lined with wood or lead and fitted with individual compartments. (Not to be confused with a wine cooler, which is open and metal lined, and often the terms are interchangeable.)
How convenient these things might have been, especially if on rollers. Wouldn't it be nice today to have a cellarette wheeled out to you to choose a bottle of wine? Isn't anyone curious about what the labels look like when you order off a menu?
Cellarettes existed in the late seventeenth century, sometimes made from marble or a solid metal, but it wasn't until the end of following century and into the first quarter of the next that they reached their heyday. The most common form is a hexagonal or oval body made from mahogany and often banded together with two or three brass bands.
Cellarettes existed in the late seventeenth century, sometimes made from marble or a solid metal, but it wasn't until the end of following century and into the first quarter of the next that they reached their heyday. The most common form is a hexagonal or oval body made from mahogany and often banded together with two or three brass bands.
Above is a George III figured mahogany cellarette. The lid opens to reveal a lead-lined divided interior. This failed to sell at Sotheby's in October 2007. Perhaps I'm reading into it too much, but I love the radiating heart-shaped form in the veneer. It is as if the little cellarette is saying 'I love wine'. 
This example is the most common form. This British version is hexagonal in shape and banded in brass with carrying handles. Made from mahogany which was a popular wood used during the Regency period. It sits on three molded legs. Sold at Brunk Auctions this month.
Most cellarettes were predominantly mahogany, but other woods such as satinwood, rosewood or padouk were used.
Circa 1830, this American mahogany one is D-shaped with brass stringing inlay on the top and body. The body conforms in shape and decoration to the lid. It is raised on turned legs terminating in casters, which can be wheeled about. Sold at Charlton Hall Galleries, Inc. in June 2000.
An English mahogany sarcophagus form cellarette. With a renewed verve for all things Roman, the sarcophagus shape was very trendy during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The rectangular top has canted corners over a conforming case with lead lining and supported by carved paw feet. Northeast Auctions, Ronald Bourgeault Auctioneer in May 2008. Cellarettes fell out of fashion with the importance of the sideboard during the Victorian times. Often a cellarette type drawer was included in many of the massive pieces.
However, they remained popular in the American South even as late as the end of the nineteenth century. Drinking a little vino or spirit was seen as a healthy way to escape the dripping summer heat.
However, they remained popular in the American South even as late as the end of the nineteenth century. Drinking a little vino or spirit was seen as a healthy way to escape the dripping summer heat.
Brunk Auctions characterized the above cellerette as "An important North Carolina cellarette". Made of walnut with hinged top, it opens to reveal a fitted interior. It has a drawer underneath to tuck away utensils. This cellarette has blind dovetailing at all four corners. Note the sweet pierced brackets. This one was attributed to "WH" cabinetmaker, from the Roanoke River Basin in North Carolina, and dated around 1790-1800.In January of this year it had an estimated value between $15,000 to $30,000. It fetched over $97,000. My my, an important cellarette indeed.