Thomas Cochrane Mahogany Wine Cooler

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Thomas Cochrane Mahogany Wine Cooler

About the Item

This stunning William IV-period wine cooler was almost certainly crafted for the Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, 1st Marquess of Maranhão. One of the best-known British naval officers in history, Cochrane's courageous exploits during the Napoleonic Wars earned him the French moniker Le Loup des Mers, or The Sea Wolf, and made him an inspiration for such characters of 19th and 20th-century naval fiction as C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey. Bold and stately, this incredible cellarette exhibits the best of Irish design. Crafted of luxurious Cuban mahogany, it is adorned with acanthus leaves and beading on the lid, magnificent gadrooned sides and marvelous scrolling feet. Inside, the leaded interior is divided into six slots, and the interior lid bears the exquisitely inlaid coat-of-arms and motto of Lord Cochrane. The wine cellarette was considered an essential piece of dining room furniture and was used primarily between the mid-18th to mid-19th centuries. These delightful fixtures were often displayed beneath a sideboard or side table where dining guests could easily view the eveningâ??s selections. They were both stylish and functional, allowing the host to serve a wide variety of wine and spirits directly from the comfort of the dining room while also serving as a cooler, keeping particular vintages chilled if necessary. This exceptional piece, maintained in excellent condition, is a must for wine enthusiasts and collectors. Circa 1831 27" wide x 23 3/8" deep x 29" high To say that Thomas Cochrane led a life of adventure would be a gross understatement. He was audacious to a fault, and frequently engaged ships when he was out-manned and out-gunned, relying solely on his cunning to win the day. He was personally responsible for the destruction of vast numbers of French ships in 1809, which shattered Napoleon's sea power. For this incredible feat, he was created a Knight of the Order of the Bath by King George III. A naval career marked with sensational exploits and a notorious inability to get along with anyone with whom he served led to election to the House of Commons and an even more tumultuous tenure in Parliament, where he made a considerable number of enemies. His life hit a low point when he was falsely implicated in the great Stock Exchange Fraud in 1814. This was a plot to raise the price of stocks by spreading rumors of Napoleon's death. He was sent to prison for a year, and then left England in disgrace to find his fortune in South America. He first went to Chile in 1818, where, on the invitation of independence leader Bernardo O'Higgins, he became a Chilean citizen, was appointed the first Vice Admiral, and took command of the navy in Chile's war of independence against Spain. As commander, he reorganized the Chilean navy, introducing British naval customs, and won a substantial number of victories which led to Peruvian independence, which was very advantageous for Chile. However, his suspicious and intractable nature, as well as unfortunate rumors, led to Cochrane's leaving the Chilean Navy and heading to Brazil. He took command of the Brazilian Navy on March 21, 1823, and proceeded to help free the country from Portuguese rule. Emperor Pedro I rewarded him by granting him the title of Marquess of Maranhão (Marquês do Maranhão) in the Empire of Brazil in 1824, and the accompanying coat of arms. Following service in Greece, Cochrane returned to England. Not only was Cochrane a brilliant naval officer, but a gifted inventor, as well, a trait that he shared with his father. He took out patents for tar-burning lamps, for excavation, mining and sinking machinery, and for rotary steam-engines among many others; as early as 1843 he was an advocate of the steam marine engine and screw propeller in warships and other modernizing tactics and technologies. Though possessed of a difficult personality, his tenacity and ingenuity led to far-reaching naval reforms. Cochrane inherited his peerage following his father's death in 1831, becoming the 10th Earl of Dundonald. He was restored to the Royal Navy list the following year after his name was cleared of any wrongdoing in the stock exchange fraud plot, but he refused to take a command until his knighthood had been restored. Queen Victoria relented and reinstated him as a knight in the Order of the Bath in 1847. He then served as Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies Station from 1848 to 1851. He was considered too risky for an active command during the Crimean War, and in 1854, he was appointed to the honorary office of Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom, an office that he would retain until his death. Cochrane died during a second operation for kidney stones on October 31, 1860. For his years of service to his country, he was allowed burial in Westminster Abbey. Laid to rest in the central part of the nave, Cochrane is paid respects each year in May by representatives of the Chilean Navy, who hold a wreath laying ceremony at his grave.

Dimensions:
Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 27 in (68.58 cm)Depth: 23.38 in (59.39 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1831
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 29-94021stDibs: LU8911835135