ticketsMember | Make a donation

Wine cooler (one of a pair)

1781
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 553
The wine coolers formed part of the now dispersed so-called Second Duke of Sachsen-Teschen Service, which originally included all kinds of silver tableware as befit the splendor of royal dining. The overall style is indebted to French Neoclassical designs and encapsulates the strong appreciation of contemporary French art and culture by the patrons, Duke Albert Casimir of Sachsen-Teschen (d. 1822) and his consort, Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (d. 1798), sister of Queen Marie-Antoinette and daughter of Empress Maria Theresa. Nonetheless, the vigorous design, the sparkling play of textures, and the daring juxtaposition of classical elements with whimsical sculptural details embody the freshness of the Viennese interpretation of high-style French Neoclassicism. In 1780 the duke and archduchess were appointed joint governors of the Austrian Netherlands. Imperial court goldsmith Wiirth created a magnificent service that fully exploited the light- reflective quality of the precious metal. Draped around the wine coolers' bodies are lion skins, which refer to Hercules' wearing the skin of the Nemean lion as a symbol of his strength. The lion skins also teasingly evoke insulation of the coolers. The trophies and grapevines symbolize Bacchus, god of wine and erotic ecstasy, representing the triumph of the pleasures of life over an ancient symbol of worldly power.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Wine cooler (one of a pair)
  • Maker: Ignaz Joseph Würth (Austrian, first mentioned 1769, died 1792)
  • Date: 1781
  • Culture: Austrian, Vienna
  • Medium: Silver
  • Dimensions: Overall (wt confirmed): 11 15/16 x 9 7/8 in., 6000g (30.3 x 25.1 cm, 6kg)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Silver
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Gift, 2002
  • Object Number: 2002.265.1a, b
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Wine cooler (one of a pair), Ignaz Joseph Würth Austrian, Silver, Austrian, Vienna
Wine cooler (one of a pair)
Ignaz Joseph Würth
marked 1781
Boiserie from the Palais Paar, 30 Wollzeile, Vienna, Austria, Isidor Canevale, Carved, painted, and gilded pine; plaster; gilt bronze; mirror glass; oak flooring, Austrian, Vienna
Boiserie from the Palais Paar, 30 Wollzeile, Vienna, Austria
Isidor Canevale
Johann Georg Leithner
ca. 1765–72, with later additions
Cup with cover with Hebrew inscriptions, Joachim Michael Salecker, Silver gilt, Austrian, Vienna
Cup with cover with Hebrew inscriptions
Joachim Michael Salecker
1723
Presentation medal (Gnadenpfennig) of Maximilian, Archduke of Austria (1558–1620), Alessandro Abondio Italian, Gold, partly enameled; pearl, Austrian, probably Vienna
Presentation medal (Gnadenpfennig) of Maximilian, Archduke of Austria (1558–1620)
Alessandro Abondio
ca. 1612
The Orpheus Cup, Jan Vermeyen German, Gold: cast, embossed, and engraved; enamel: ronde-bosse and painted; rubies, Austrian, Vienna
The Orpheus Cup
Multiple artists/makers
1641–42, the jeweled elements on the lid in the form of animals, amorini holding bow and quiver, and the statuettes of Orpheus and Diana, Prague, ca.1600

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.