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Wine cistern

After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler
Manufacturer Elkington & Co. British

ca. 1880

Not on view

This is an electrotype reproduction of the magnificent silver wine cistern commissioned by the English banker and silversmith Henry Jernegan (ca. 1688–1745/6) for his client Littleton Pointz Meynell (ca. 1695–1752) who was desirous to have the "largest and finest silver cistern that ever was or could be…" A first sketch of the design honoring the wine god Bacchus was done by the antiquarian and engraver George Vertue (1684-1756) and the wax models for the figures were executed by the Flemish-born English sculptor John Michael Rysbrack (1694–1770). The actual cistern, now in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, was the work of the silversmith Charles Frederick Kandler (act. 1720–1770s). When this remarkable piece was finally ready in 1734, Meynell had changed his mind and Jernegan was stuck with the extravagant object for which he failed to find a buyer. Offered as first price in a lottery of 1739, the wine cistern entered the collection of Empress Anne of Russia by the following year.

Wine cistern, After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler (active 1735, died 1778), Silver on base metal (copper and brass), British, Birmingham, after British, London original — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Wine cistern, After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler (active 1735, died 1778), Silver on base metal (copper and brass), British, Birmingham, after British, London original

Wine cistern, After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler (active 1735, died 1778), Silver on base metal (copper and brass), British, Birmingham, after British, London original

Wine cistern, After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler (active 1735, died 1778), Silver on base metal (copper and brass), British, Birmingham, after British, London original

Wine cistern, After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler (active 1735, died 1778), Silver on base metal (copper and brass), British, Birmingham, after British, London original

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Title: Wine cistern

Maker: After an original by Charles Frederich Kandler (active 1735, died 1778)

Manufacturer: Elkington & Co. (British, Birmingham, 1829–1963)

Date: ca. 1880

Culture: British, Birmingham, after British, London original

Medium: Silver on base metal (copper and brass)

Dimensions: Overall: 39 1/2 × 65 × 36 5/8 in., 320 lb. (100.3 × 165.1 × 93 cm, 145.2 kg)

Classification: Metalwork-Electrotype

Credit Line: Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1883

Accession Number: 83.18.290

Chronology

Great Britain and Ireland, 1800-1900 A.D.

The New British Galleries: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v.77, no. 4 (Spring, 2020)

The New British Galleries: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v.77, no. 4 (Spring, 2020)

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