SILVER WINE COOLER ITALY, MID-20TH CENTURY
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Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
A silver wine cooler executed in the form of a classical fluted bucket with a gently tapering body, set on a stable profiled foot. The surface is articulated with vertical fluting, enhancing the elegance of the silhouette and creating a refined play of light on the polished silver. Delicate decorative friezes with laurel leaf motifs run along the upper and lower rims, referencing Antique ornamentation and Neoclassical traditions.
The handles are sculpturally modelled as lush vegetal scrolls, distinguished by dynamic lines and subtle asymmetry, lending the object a sense of movement and plastic expressiveness. The interior retains its original finish with a natural patina consistent with the period of use. On the underside, a partially preserved and illegible paper manufacturer’s label is present, typical of Italian silverware of the mid-20th century.
Marks: Italian silver standard mark “800”; provincial registration mark of Agrigento, in use between 1944 and 1968; additional maker’s numerical mark (indistinct).
Dimensions: Height: 24 cm; Diameter: 27 cm.
Weight: 1070 g.
Condition: Good. Light signs of use and natural patina. No dents, cracks, or restorations observed.
Silver wine coolers occupy a distinguished position in the history of European decorative arts, serving not only as functional tableware but also as markers of social status, refined taste, and cultural tradition. In mid-20th-century Italy, the production of silver table objects entered a period of renewed engagement with historical forms, as silversmiths reinterpreted the legacy of Antiquity, Classicism, and Neoclassicism within the context of modern interiors.
The period between 1944 and 1968, to which this wine cooler belongs, corresponds with Italy’s post-war reconstruction and the revival of artisanal craftsmanship. During these decades, numerous regional workshops, including those in Sicily and the province of Agrigento, flourished, producing silver objects for both domestic use and international export. Their work combined traditional handcraft techniques, such as raising and chasing, with restrained forms suited to contemporary lifestyles.
The laurel leaf ornament employed on this cooler carries deep historical symbolism associated with victory, dignity, and honor, rooted in Ancient Roman culture. The vertical fluting of the body further recalls the architectural language of classical columns, reflecting the enduring Italian pursuit of proportional harmony and formal clarity. Such silver wine coolers were commonly used in formal dining settings, prestigious hotels, and private residences where wine service formed an essential element of social and ceremonial life.
Today, mid-20th-century Italian silver wine coolers are regarded as representative examples of post-war Italian decorative arts. They are valued by collectors for their quality of craftsmanship, noble material, and refined balance between tradition and functional design, embodying the aesthetic sensibilities of their era.
The silver is in good collectible condition. Minor surface wear and natural patina consistent with age. The structure is sound, with secure handles and no evidence of repair or later intervention.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
