Cellarette, Wine Cooler, Mahogany Flame Grain, Federal Empire Period 1830

Made around 1820-30. The best matched veneers as would be expected from the highest skilled cabinet maker.

This is the most attractive cellarette I have seen, but then in the 40+ years I have been in the business I have only seen two American ones and only one on a stand. This is one of a kind, hand made, absolute and honest craftsmanship. The workmanship, wood selection, construction, everything, speaks of a maker of the quality of the shop of Quervelle.

The first pictures show the piece as it was when I bought it. The latter pictures show it in the process of conservation with the degraded coating cleaned and amalgamated then recoated with a 2 pound cut of dewaxed orange shellac. It is not completed, this is not a project to hurry. The original coating was not completely removed, only the degraded and contaminated coating which had darkened from environmental and human contamination.

The screws holding the well and base to the column are shown for authenticity. The hinges and lock are original. The lock is stamped "j Nock Philadelphia. "Journal of the Franklin Institute", 1839 Vol 23 pg 312, says; "Locks by Jos. Nock; very ingenious in construction, and good".

Cellarettes and wine coolers were used for two things. One, the cellarette, for wine bottle storage and/or liquor. Second, the wine cooler, for cooling of wines. Wine coolers generally held a fitted zinc liner that could be lifted out and emptied of water. Some had a spigot through the bottom and were lined with a non removable zinc liner. My cellarette had no liner when acquired.

Item ID: rk172