Liqueur Bottle Cooler (seau ovale à liqueur)

This shape is meant to hold icy water in which two bottles of liquor could stand and be cooled. The central perforated divider allowed for the free flow of water and served to keep the bottles upright.

Inscription

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Collection of Edwin Marriott Hodgkins (1860–1932), by 1909 [1] until 1928 [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; with A. Seligmann, Rey and Co., by 1928 [mode of acquisition unknown], New York; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1928; by bequest to the Walters Art Museum, 1931.

[1]. “Special Exhibition of Sèvres Porcelaine on View at the Galleries of E. M. Hodgkins, 18, rue de la Ville l’Évêque, Paris” (London: Chiswick Press, 1909), p. 52-54: “Pair of Oblong Jardinières. Turquoise œil-de-perdrix ground, decorated with reserves painted with cupids in the front panel, and trophies of art in the reserves. These panels are bordered with a green laurel wreath. The interior is divided by a pierced porcelain partition. Painted by Dutanda. Height, 4 1/2 in.; length, 12 1/4 in. Date letter N N (1789)."