Wine cooler, one of four
On View In:
Gallery 350
Artist:   Edward, Edward, James, and Barnard
David Ellis  
Title:   Wine cooler, one of four  
Date:   1828  
Medium:   Silver, gilt  
Dimensions:   14 1/4 x 12 x 8 3/4 in. (36.2 x 30.5 x 22.2 cm)  
Credit Line:   Gift of Ruth and John Huss  
Location:   Gallery 350  

This wine cooler is from a set of four in the Institute's collection inspired by the "Buckingham Vase" excavated on the grounds of the imperial villa at Tivoli, outside Rome (AD 118-130). The Buckingham Vase, a 46-inch high marble urn acquired by the first Marquess of Buckingham, was portayed in engravings published by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. While not exact copies of the original vase, the wine coolers retain the classical urn shape and feature the same cavorting Erotes (winged gods of love) cavorting among twining grape vines and leaves.

Artist/Creator(s)     
Name:   David Ellis  
Role:   Retailer  
Life Dates:   London  
 
Name:   Edward, Edward, James, and Barnard  
Role:   Silversmith  
Nationality:   English  
Life Dates:   London, est. c. 1680  
 

Object Description  
  
Inscriptions:   Stamps; Inscriptions; Sticker 'D.Ellis Fecit', stamped, on front of base; 'SH2097', incised on bottom of base; 'M209810 1(4)' stic  
Classification:   Metalwork  
Physical Description:   classical vase form; on square base with fluted pedestal feet; cast coat of arms; decorated with putti amidst scrolling grapevine; collars engraved on each side with two crests (dragon and lion) Description (consistent for each cooler): Classical vase form; on square base with fluted pedestal feet; cast coat of arms; decorated with putti amidst scrolling grapevine; collars engraved on each side with two crests (dragon and lion). Coat of arms: those of Sawbridge-Erle-Drax with Grosvenoer in pretence, probably for Johan Samuel Wanley Sawbridge of Olantigh Towers, Kent, Holnest House, Co. Dorset, and Ellerton Abbey, Co. York (1800-1887). He married in 1827 Jane Frances, sister and sole heiress of her brother Richerd Erle-Drax-Grosvenor, M.P., of Charlborough Park, Dorset (dd. 1828). By 1853, Burke's Visitations of Seats and Arms, vol. 2, records this latter house as the seat of John Samuel Wanley Erle-Drax, M.P., Captain of the East Kent Militia. Stamps/Inscriptions/Stickers: 1a-c) - D. ELLIS LONDON FECIT - stamped, on front of base; - SH2097 - incised on bottom of base; - A501/091 - in black, on bottom of base; - EEBJW - and three stamps near top of liner; - 2 - etched three times on bottom of removable liner. 2a-c) - D.ELLIS LONDON FECIT - stamped, on front of base; - SH2097 - incised on bottom of base; - A501/ - and illegible numbers in black, on bottom of base; - EEBJW - and three stamps near top of liner and side of collar; - A501/692 - in black, on bottom of removable liner. 3a-c) - D.ELLIS LONDON FECIT - stamped, on front of base; - SH2097 - incised on bottom of base; - A501/693 - in black, on bottom of base, bottom of liner and bottom of collar; - M209810 1(4) - on sticker on bottom of base; - EEBJW - and three stamps near top of liner and side of collar. 4a-c) - D.ELLIS LONDON FECIT - stamped, on front of base; - SH2097 - incised on bottom of base; - M209810 1(4) - sticker on bottom of base; - A501/691 - in black, on bottom of base, liner and collar; - EEBJW - and three stamps near top  
Creation Place:   Europe, England, , , London  
Accession #:   99.192.4a-c  
Owner:   The Minneapolis Institute of Arts