19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE WINE COOLER

A BRIEF HISTORY

The oldest wine coolers date back to the Middle Ages, but it was in the 17th and 18th centuries that they took the form of a round bucket, serving as a table ornament, often sumptuous and crafted in gold or silver. Examples also exist in decorated faience, lined internally with copper or zinc, which were filled with ice, cold water, and salt. They were used to keep wine, liqueurs, and other beverages cool.

Here, we have what is also referred to by abbreviation as a “wine cooler.”

That is to say, a compartmentalized table holding one or more metal basins.

A NOTE ON CONSERVATION/RESTORATION

Working on such an object is always an exceptional moment for me. The goal is to restore its original life without betraying its aesthetic message. In this case, the patina had largely disappeared, with only a few traces remaining. Oxidation had also begun its undermining work.

Faced with this challenge, I disassembled the bronze, degreased it with a mild solvent, then proceeded with spot deoxidation through chemical treatment while monitoring its neutralization.

The patina, for reasons of reversibility, was applied using pigments incorporated into an acrylic binder. Given the conservation environment of this charming piece, I opted for protection using a wax blend.