18th/19th Century French Provincial Rafraichissoir Wine Cooler

Hand-crafted in Provincial France in the late 18th / early 19th century, having a quality pegged solid wood frame in the original dark red painted finish with gilt accents, partial Rosso Verona marble top with serpentine shaped front, inset rectangular compartment / ice bin / chiller, over a single drawer with hand cut dovetail joinery, over medial shelf, rising on cabriole legs.

Dimensions: (approx)
27.5″ high, 30.5″ wide, 27″ dDeep

Great antique condition with warm rustic patina over the whole. Retaining original antique character marks throughout, including organically distressed chippy paint patina, old restoration to marble top. Wear consistent with age and use.

What is a Rafraichissoir?
Considered an “essential” serving table in 18th century France, the rafraîchissoir did serve a very specific purpose for certain members of French society at the time. Having one of these small refreshment tables parked near the dining table gave French nobility or the bourgeoisie and their guests the opportunity to dine alone — meaning waiters and other domestic servants were not privy to the confidential conversations and rumblings of the rich and famous.

Most often made with a marble top and brass gallery to accommodate spills, rafraîchissoirs (sometimes called servantes) were fitted with two or more wells that held removable brass or silver plated buckets for chilling wine. They also included a drawer for storing corkscrews, cutlery, extra napkins, and anything else that might be needed during dinner. They also had a shelf or shelves below to hold covered dishes or extra plates for later courses, thus allowing the host and his guests more privacy by providing all the required items for the duration of the dinner without the prying eyes and ears of the help.