Wine Cistern

Materials: Copper.
Dimensions: Length 50cm, depth 42cm, height 23cm (excluding handle attachments).
Place of Origin: English/Dutch.
Date: c1700.
Maker/retailer: Probable maker’s mark of EB or ER (unidentified).
Present Location: Unknown.

Explanation:

The traces of japanning to this cistern, the very faint remains of gilt Chinoiserie flowers, and its overall size and form relate it to a group of japanned copper cisterns used in England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. As far as is known, japanners did not make the wares they decorated and it is possible that these cisterns were Dutch products imported to Britain for decoration.

The maker’s mark within a circle of pellets conforms to conventional marks found on metalware at this period.

©Bonhams

References:

Butler, R., 2001. A study collection of marked domestic brass and other base metalware c1600 – c1900.
Gentle, R. & Feild, R., 1994. Domestic Metalwork 1640 -1820.
Bonhams ‘The Oak Interior’ Sale, 24th Feb 2016. Lot 336.