Rare Pair of Louis XIV Brass Wine-Coolers or Cache-Pots
A pair of brass wine coolers or cache-pots with embossed decoration incorporating a cartouche of the French Royal Arms, with waisted socles and mask carrying handles at the side
Height 25 cm (10 inches) 19 cm internal depth
Width 24 cm (9.5 inches)
Length 19 cm internal depth
Depth 20 cm (8 inches)
Diameter 18 cm (7 inches) internal diameter
French, late 17th century
The presence of the French Royal arms and crossed Ls suggests that these may have been made for use in the garden and park at one of the Royal residences, such as Versailles or Marly, where there were gilded iron torchères supporting gilded brass candelabra for outside festivities, and other accoutrements in brass, often gilded, rather than silver or gold. There are traces of former gilding on the present wine-coolers. They may also have been made for use in some important civic building with Royal connections or patronage, such as the École de St. Cyr