AN EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY WINE COOLER

The wine cooler formed part of the collection of Dr. Rudolf Heinemann (d. 1975), who was one of the most distinguished art dealers of his generation. In the 1930s, he established himself by cataloguing Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza's collection at the Villa Favorita in Lugan. When he later set up as a dealer, his distinguished clientele included American museums such as the Frick Collection.

The Heinemanns were passionate collectors of furniture and fine art, which filled their Fifth Avenue New York apartment, an estate in Mt. Kisco and a villa near Lugano, Switzerland. The Georgian furniture was purchased primarily from major London firms such as Mallett in the early 1950s. Upon Lore Heinemann's death in 1996, generous gifts were bequeathed to the Morgan Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Christie's was honored to sell selections from their collections.