A PAIR OF CAPODIMONTE WINE COOLERS MOUNTED WITH PORCELAIN FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS THE WINE COOLERS CIRCA 1755, THE FLOWERS 18TH CENTURY AND LATER

each comprised of a large bouquet of various hard- and soft-paste flowers profusely mounted on leafy tôle peinte stems in a gilt metal-mounted bucket-form cooler set on either side with a gilt twig-form handle and applied with fruiting grapevines.

Christie's London, June 20, 1985, lot 15, illustrated

Wine coolers: Please note that the porcelain has not been examined beneath the mounts. Both have minor wear to the gilding and typical chips to the flowers and occasional larger chips and restored petals. The handle of one cooler has a crack around the base where it joins the body; the other handle has been broken off and restored and there is a bunch of grapes missing below that handle. Otherwise, just minor small chips and losses to the applied decoration and an area of brown speckling to the past on one side of the body. The other cooer has one handle broken off and restored back and some typical minor chips and losses to the applied fruit and leaves.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similar pair of coolers is illustrated in Porcellane di Capodimonte, La Real Fabbrica di Carlo di Borbone 1743-1759, pp. 216-17.