Chased by Eugene J. Soligny (American, c. 1833–1901)
Tiffany and Company (American, founded 1837)
New York
Pair of Wine Coolers
INV-1443
Chased by Eugene J. Soligny (American, c. 1833–1901)
Tiffany and Company (American, founded 1837)
New York1873
Pair of Wine Coolers
Chased by Eugene J. Soligny (American, c. 1833–1901) Tiffany and Company (American, founded 1837) New York →containersilver
Date
1873
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Each h: H.: 35 cm (13 3/8 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Purchased with funds provided by the Antiquarian Society
Executed in the “neo-grec” style, this suite of silver was commissioned by the United States government and presented to Viscount d’Itajubá of Brazil in gratitude for his role in arbitrating grievances between the United States and Great Britain after the American Civil War. It was the first of three identical suites made by Tiffany and Company, as indicated on each piece by the “No. 1” stamped on the underside. Figures and symbols decorating these objects represent ancient Greek themes. The handles on the punch bowl (1985.221.3) portray Dionysus, the god of wine, and the wine coolers depict facemasks of Silenus, a woodland god and Dionysus’s constant companion. The full-figure, chased plaques on the wine coolers represent Agriculture and Commerce and were meant to symbolize the continued stability and prosperity of the United States after the Civil War.
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