Stunning 4 Bottle Silver Plated Wine Cooler Ice Bucket

This is an elegant  silver plated champagne cooler. This alluring item is perfectly suited to a party, and can accommodate four bottles. It brings with it a touch of sophistication and class that it is certain to become a talking point over any meal.

It bears a coat of arms and an inscription in front:

“I drink champagne when I win, to celebrate … and

 I drink champagne when I lose, to console myself”   

                       Napoleon Bonaparte

There is a further inscription in the back which reads:

” I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad.

Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.

When I have company I consider it obligatory.

I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and I drink it when I m.

Otherwise I never touch it unless I’m thirsty.”

                       Lilly Bollinger

 

The simplicity of the design has a wonderfully stately effect on the beholder.

Napoleon Bonaparte used to say “In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it.” Napoleon first met Champagne maker Jean-Remy Moët while at French military school. The friendship of these two men would have lasting impact on the history of the Champagne region and on the beverage itself as Napoleon actively supported his friend and stopped by his Chateau often even after becoming emperor.

Bollinger is a Champagne house founded in 1829 , a producer of sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France. They produce several labels of Champagne under the Bollinger name, including the vintage Vieille Vignes Françaises, Grand Année and R.D.

The real expansion of the house took place  in 1918 when Jacques Bollinger, the son of Georges, took over the company. Jacques married Emily Law de Lauriston Bourbers, known as “Lilly”. Jacques further expanded the facilities by building new cellars, purchasing the Tauxieres vineyards, and acquiring the assets of another Champagne house on Boulevard du Marechal de Lattire de Tassigny—where Bollinger’s officers are presently located. When Jacques Bollinger died in 1941, Lilly Bollinger took over. Lilly expanded production through the purchase of more vineyards, but is better known for traveling the world to promote the brand. Lilly was well-publicized in the Champagne region, leaving several noteworthy quotes.

Lilly managed Bollinger until 1971, when her nephews Claude d’Hautefeuille and Christian Bizot succeeded her.

Condition report:

In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition.

Additional dimensions information:

Height 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 11 inches