American History: Premier Auction

Lot of 5, including a Georgian cut glass wine rinser owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, dia. 4.5 in. Double-lipped vessel used to chill or rinse wineglasses at table, particularly when different wines are served in the same glass.

Practiced entertainers, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor frequently hosted lavish dinner parties at their villa in the Bois de Boulogne, just outside of Paris. They maintained a well-stocked wine cellar for these occasions, as well as a substantial collection of fine linens, china, crystal, silver, and glassware. The Duchess delighted in elaborate tableware, painstakingly selecting and arranging each piece herself. The Windsors owned several wine rinsers, including this Georgian example, which would have been stationed at each place setting with a wine glass reversed inside. 

Also with four printed paper luggage tags, reading, "The Duchess of Windsor," "The Duke of Windsor, K.G.," "H.R.H. The Duke of Windsor / 4 Rte. du Champ d'Entrainement / Bois de Boulogne / Paris 16, France," and "The Duchess of Windsor" with handwritten address below, "The Waldorf Astoria Towers / 50th Street, Park Ave / New York, N.Y. 10022."

The wine rinser was offered at auction as Lot 946 in Sotheby’s landmark sale of property from the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, September 11-19, 1997.