Art Funded by you

Great Silver Wine Cistern of Thomas Wentworth, Lord Raby

Philip Rollos the Elder, 1705–1706

This enormous cistern formed part of Lord RabyÂ’s allowance of silver plate which he took with him as Ambassador Extraordinary to Berlin in 1706 and which he was entitled to retain after his return. Such objects were an essential component in the etiquette of formal dining in the baroque period when the display of impressive plate reflected the status and importance of the host (or, in the case of ambassadors, the country he represented). Their function (in addition to being impressive) was to hold ice-packed bottles for the service of wine. This object was undoubtedly inspired by German examples seen by Lord Raby in Berlin on an earlier visit in 1701. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Great Silver Wine Cistern of Thomas Wentworth, Lord Raby, 1705–1706

Date supported

2011

Medium and material

Silver

Dimensions

129.5 x 83 cm

Grant

140000

Total cost

2073648

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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