Antiques M.S. Rau | Paul Storr Silver-Gilt Wine Coolers

This Matching Pair Of Resplendent, Silver-Gilt Wine Coolers Hail From The Workshop Of The Famed Silversmith Paul Storr. The Set Was Created For Prince Christoph And Princess Dorothea Of Lieven, A Very Important 19Th-Century Russian Diplomatic Couple. The Duo Held Such A Distinguished Reputation As The Russian Ambassadors In The British Court That Rundell, Bridge And Rundell Chose Their Two Most Talented Craftsmen To Carry Out The Execution Of This Set Of Wine Coolers: Paul Storr. Each Wine Cooler Is Gloriously Adorned With Masks Of Bacchus And Ceres, Bearded Warrior Heads, Scrolling Grapevines And The Opulent Coat-Of-Arms Of The Prince And Princess Is Applied On Both Sides.

The Prince And Princess Were Both Socially And Politically Active, Counting Leading London Politicians Including The Duke Of Wellington And Lord Palmerston As Close Acquaintances. The Prince Served Honorably In The Russian Imperial Army, Enjoying Numerous Appointments Including Ambassador To London Before He Was Ennobled, Prince Lieven. As A Leader In London Society And Mistress To Both The Austrian Foreign Minister Metternich And The Duke Of Wellington Himself, Princess Lieven Is Remembered For Her Wit, Intrigue And Ambition. Perhaps Most Revered For Her Political Prowess, The “Tell All” Letters She Wrote To Her Brother, General Alexander Benckendorff, Provide The Most Valuable Insights Into Early 19Th-Century London Society. The Duke Of Wellington Once Wrote Of Her: “…She Can And Will Betray Everyone In Turn, If It Should Suit Her Purpose.” Princess Lieven Was Also Credited For Helping Introduce The Waltz To London Society In 1813 And Her Portrait By Thomas Lawrence, One Of His Best-Known Works, Resides In The National Gallery, London.

From His Neoclassical Masterpieces To His Exuberant And Ornate Vessels, Storr Is Considered One Of History’S Finest Smiths. He Imparted A Level Of Craftsmanship And Superior Quality To Each Of His Creations That Has Seldom Been Seen Since. Retained By Royal Jewelers And Silversmiths Rundell, Bridge &Amp; Rundell, Storr Was Regularly Commissioned To Create Pieces For Royalty And World Figures.

Similar Wine Coolers, Though Without Their Matching Pair, Can Be Found In The Collections Of The Victoria &Amp; Albert Museum, The Fine Arts Museum Of San Francisco And The Museum Of Fine Arts In Boston.

Stamped With Latin Signature Of Rundell, Bridge And Rundell
Hallmarked London, 1813

12″ High X 8″ Diameter Each