A most attractive Early 19th Century Antique Dutch or Flemish Brass Wine Cooler standing upon four brass ball feet, one side of which is emblazoned with an impressive repousse armorial, the coat-of-arms of the Della Faille family of Belgium, { Flanders }, members of which were Barons of Nevele, Barons of Huysse, Counts of Assenede and Counts of Leverghem. A branch of this Flemish family, established in the Netherlands is called “Baart della Faille” and bears the same coat-of-arms. { If you google "della Faille" and "blason", you will see various images. } Therefore, one can safely assume this cooler to be either Dutch or Flemish. With "Lion's Head" ring handles to each end, the back, as well as the underside of the base, would appear to have been decorated in a stamped diaper pattern, faint traces of which may still be seen, despite decades of hand polishing. This piece may well originally have had either a lead liner or a cover, possibly both, and today is most likely to find a new lease of life as a jardiniere. We would like here to record our sincere thanks to M. Olivier Mertens who kindly provided the heraldic information pertaining to this piece, { email ~ 27 August 2014 }. For a comparable example, see :- P., N. and H. Schiffer ~ The Brass Book ~ Page 390 C ~ Schiffer ~ Exton, PA. 1978.
Overall Length ~ 44.50 cm. / 17.50 inches ~ Width ~ 27.90 cm. / 11.00 inches ~ Depth ~ 24.10 cm. / 9.50 inches ~ Length at base, { ie. at and including button feet } ~ 24.10 cm. / 9.50 inches ~ Width at base, { at and including button feet } ~ 18.40 cm. / 7.25 inches ~Year ~ Circa 1820.
