Silver Plated Ice BucketLion Head Ring Handles, Empire Style Champagne Bucket — French, Vintage

The lion's-head ring handle is one of the oldest gestures in European silver — borrowed from Roman door knockers and carried through Empire tableware, it turned any vessel it gripped into something slightly ceremonial. French makers kept the tradition alive on their barware into the twentieth century: an ice bucket for the apéritif hour, flanked by two small lions holding the rings in their teeth, is the classic dressed exactly as the classic should be.

This ice bucket is French, in silver-plated metal: a flared tulip-form body on a reeded foot, the everted rim bordered with a band of Empire-style arcading between beading, and mounted at each side with a cast lion mask gripping a twisted rope-form ring. Look at the lions' faces — the mane worked in layered locks, the brow drawn down — cast and finished with more attention than a functional handle strictly needs, which is precisely the point of the tradition. The plating is bright and the bucket stands ready for its work.

The condition is very good, with only the lightest marks of use to the polished surface, as the photographs show. Whoever iced their champagne in this bucket before you kept it gleaming. It belongs on a bar cart, a drinks table, or the sideboard at your next dinner.

The bucket is silver-plated metal with cast lion handles, ready for use. It arrives professionally packed and fully insured — worldwide shipping and US import duties are included. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

DETAILS:
Height: 13 cm (5.1 in) · Diameter: 14 cm (5.5 in) — roughly the size of a large coffee tin; holds ice for a full evening
Silver-plated metal; cast lion mask ring handles; Empire-style arcaded border
Condition: very good condition; lightest marks of use to polished surface

Condition

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above. Transit time depends on your destination.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

Return instructions and your consumer rights