Pair 194oz Wine Coolers by Benjamin Smith

These are an exceptional Georgian pair of silver wine coolers made by Benjamin Smith and almost certainly retailed by the Royal Goldsmiths - Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. The quality is of the highest standard as one might expect from Benjamin Smith - one of the most important English silversmiths and a contemporary of Paul Storr. One wine cooler is marked for Benjamin Smith in partnership with his brother James (partnership 1809-12) and the other on his own account nine years later.

These coolers are identical in appearance and have the most sumptuous Regency style decoration with a trellis band around the upper section adorned with vine and grapes, Egyptian style gadrooning to the top and two finely modelled reeded handles. There are 3 sections to each cooler: the main body, a removable top rim and a removable inner sleeve. The quality is reflected in the very heavy weight of over 3kg per cooler, the superb decoration which remains crisp throughout and the superbly executed engraved coat-of-arms - twice to each cooler. The condition is fabulous throughout, with the only issue to mention is the rubbed Sterling hallmarks to the body - although they are also appropriately and clearly marked to the component pieces.

The top rim is engraved with a stork crest (twice) and the body is engraved with a superb coat-of-arms to both sides. The arms may be blazoned as "Sable a fess chequy argent and azure between three bezants" and supported by a falcon (dexter) and unicorn (sinister). The motto reads "AEquam servare mentum" (To preserve an equal mind). The crest and arms are ensigned with a Baron's coronet. These are the arms of George Pitt (1751-1828), the 2nd Baron Rivers - a relative of William Pitt the Elder, the 9th Prime Minister of Great Britain and an MP representing Dorset. During the period that these coolers were made, he was a Lord of the Bedchamber to George III (1804 to 1819). We will provide the buyer with a pdf report about the coat-of-arms and George Pitt.