These magnificent antique George III sterling silver wine coolers have a classic campania shaped form onto a knopped pedestal foot.
The lower bulbous portion of each antique wine cooler is embellished with magnificent chased decoration displaying scrolling leaf designs orienting towards the central point.
The surface of each body is embellished with the contemporary engraved inscription 'Presented by the Inhabitants of St Helena to Colonel Mark Wilks, late Governor of that Island, in Memorial of their Esteem, Respect & Gratitude, 1816'* to one side.
The other side of each piece features the very fine and impressive contemporary flat engraved coat of arms depicting party per pale, to the dexter three heraldic roses above a paly of 8, to the sinister a bend charged with three escallops between three lozenge to the chief and base.
The aforementioned coat of arms is surmounted with the crest of a wolf rampant collared, all above the bannered motto 'Pro Rege' - For the King.
The upper rim of each piece is encircled with a convex band ornamented with exceptional chased evolute spiralling foliate designs accented with floral motifs.
Each antique wine cooler is fitted with an exceptional pair of cast handles embellished with scrolling leaf emanating towards a central knop.
The impressive sockets of each handle are ornamented with a magnificent cast and applied Bacchanal style bearded mask design.
The flared, shaped knops to the pedestals are encircled with exceptional cast egg decorated borders.
These antique silver wine coolers are supported by domed circular spreading feet embellished with foliate and dart decoration above the plain collet style rims.
This exceptional pair of Georgian wine coolers retain the original, hallmarked detachable rims and liners.
The cylindrical solid silver rim of each piece is encircled with a band of applied gadroon decoration to the upper portion; this component frames the upper portion of the liner to allow for easy access.
The surface of each component of the lining is plain and unembellished, apart from the featured hallmarks.
The components of these magnificent antique wine coolers were made by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell I.
* Mark Wilks was Governor and The Crowns official representative of Saint Helena Island for the term of 22nd June 1813 - 15th April 1816. During his time in this role he established the St Helena Library and the Post Office. After the British government took temporary control of St Helena in Napoleons time, Wilks returned to England in 1816 and was elected to the Manx parliament, the House of Keys - the parliament of the Isle of Man.
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