Mahogany and White Pine Cellaret

Description:

Mahogany and White Pine Cellaret, Boston, late 18th century, the hexagonal hinged top has an inlaid holly edge that opens to a tin-lined sectioned interior for wine bottles with a drainage hole, the facade includes three brass straps and brass carrying handles, the cooler sits on a mahogany stand with three splayed, reeded legs having arched returns, old surface, (minor surface imperfections, stand may be of different origin),ht. 28 3/4, wd. 19 1/8, dp. 19 in.

Provenance: Family descent as described in a note found in the cellaret by its owner. The transcription reads: "By Mrs. Mary Swett's will you are to receive a brass banded wine refrigerator which belonged to (your) father's grandfather Gray and given to me (Mrs. Swett) by Colonel S. Swett." Colonel Samuel Swett of Boston and Cambridge was a writer on maritime affairs who married Lucia Gray, daughter of William Gray, a Boston merchant. The wine cooler was passed to Lucia Gray Swett who was the wife of Francis Alexander, the well-known and highly respected portrait artist, and thence to the consignor.
Estimate $8,000-12,000

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