The Cellarette

Once, when I visited Filoli, I was curious about something I saw in the dining room.  Standing on the floor, near the dining table, was a beautiful chest/box of some sort.  I asked the docent about it.  She said it was a "cellarette" for wine and champagne.  I managed to get a half-decent photo of it from behind the velvet rope.  I'm glad I did since it hasn't been on display in any visit since!  I love the shape, the carvings & brass fittings on this one.  In fact, I'd like to own one!

Filoli Cellarette

The top of the cellarette is barely visible next to gold dish.

The Encyclopedia Britannica describes a cellarette as:

"cellarette, small, movable wine cooler and, later, also a deep, metal-lined tray with compartments for holding bottles in a sideboard. Most portable cellarettes were made of mahogany, and designs were varied, the shape governed to some degree by the shapes of wine bottles. Early wine bottles were short and squat, but in the late 18th century they became progressively taller, a trend that was reflected in the depth of cellarettes.

Common varieties were circular or oval, hooped with brass bands, and provided with tapered, fluted legs with castors. Usually kept under the centre of a sideboard or side table, they were rolled out for use. Under the influence of the classical revival in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, sarcophagus shapes were popular. The movable cellarette continued in use after sideboards with built-in wine coolers were introduced in the 18th century and until the introduction of the refrigerator in the 20th century."

I've searched the internet, and discovered that I only really like the antique cellarettes, and they are way out of my budget!  So, I'll be content to admire them from afar!

You can click HERE to read brief description from Encyclopedia Britannica.

Here are a few links to some beautiful examples!

English - William IV Period Cellarette - $14,000...yikes!

Early 19th Century Cellarette

George III Mahogany Inlaid Cellarette

19th Century Regency Mahogany Cellarette - $15,000 - $16,000...double yikes!

Here's a circa 1965 Cellarette - I could afford, but it's just not the same, ya know?