During large banquets and parties, cisterns were used to chill wine bottles in cool water. This cistern was made for John Leveson-Gower, the First Earl Gower, and remained in the family until acquired by the Institute in 1961.The superbly proportioned vessel is given power and individuality by two eccentrically-shaped handles bearing animals' masks on the upper volutes. Bold, faun-like masks spring from the body to support the vigorous leaf rim. Moulded panels on a ground of Régence-style scales enclose grotesque marks, and scrolls and shells are chased on the base. The sum of the parts demonstrates Paul de Lamerie's ability to produce, even in the early years of his career, a massive piece of highest quality.

The acquisition of The Duke of Sutherland's Wine Cistern crowns the Institute's collection of English silver in much the same way that the Bell gift of Paul Revere's Templeman Tea Set¹ did for our American silver collection. Oddly, both these monuments were made by masters of Huguenot background: Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751), the creator of our wine cistern, was brought to England by his parents at the age of one; Paul Revere (1735-1818) was the son of Appollos Rivoire who had immigrated to new England from France before 1715. They shared the same background, enjoyed the same eminence in their craft, and were the acknowledged masters of their times. The differences in design and intent, however, between the wine cistern and the tea set are striking.Paul de Lamerie registered his first mark in 1712, only seven years before the creation of this masterpiece. This is the earliest known example of his highly decorative style, showing exceptional imagination and unexpected power in both form and ornaments. Similar pieces, but in the pure French taste, had been made by other goldsmiths before him but work of this importance and scale was at the time virtually unknown. Bold, faun-like masks spring from the body to support the vigorous leaf rim. Moulded panels on a Régence scale-pattern ground enclose grotesque marks, and scrolls and shells are chased on the base. The superbly proportioned vessel is given power and individuality by two eccentrically-shaped handles bearing animals' masks on the upper volutes. The sum of the parts demonstrates Paul de Lamerie's ability to produce, even in the early years of his career, a massive piece of highest quality.Our wine cistern was made for John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower, in 1719. His grandson, George Granville (1758-1833), was created 1st Duke of Sutherland in 1833. The cistern remained in the family from 1719 to 1916 when it was purchased by the Institute.Endnotes

1. Mrs. Yves Henry Buhler, “Toward a Tea Set by Paul Revere,” The Minneapolis Institute of Arts Bulletin, L:2, June, 1961, pp. 5-24.

Referenced Works of Art

1. Paul de Lamerie, English, 1688-1751. The Duke of Sutherland's Wine Cistern, 1719. Three details: Handle, Central boss, Frieze and boss. Silver, 18” x 38”. The James S. Bell Memorial Fund, 1961, 61.56.
2. Paul de Lamerie, English, 1688-1751. The Duke of Sutherland's Wine Cistern, 1719. Silver, 18” x 38”. The James S. Bell Memorial Fund, 1961, 61.56.