Victorian sterling silver wine cooler. Deep ovoid bowl on raised foot. Leaf-capped dolphin scroll-bracket side handles. Bead-and-reel and leaf-and-dart borders. Chased frieze depicting garland-entwined, barefooted, long-tressed nymphs, their loose drapery suggestive of overflowing abundance. Fin-de-siecle Classicism for a new age.

This piece was two or three years old when it was exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 10714 (first produced in 1890), director’s letter M (1873-91), and volume (11 1/2 pts). Also, Chicago World’s Fair stamp plus marks indicating that it was imported to England in 1934 by Tessiers Ltd (formerly Vander & Hedges) in London. Well-traveled and rich in history. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 12 1/2 x W 12 1/2 x D 8 in. Heavy weight: 64 troy ounces. #BZ265