Large 8 Bottle Champagne Cooler Ice Bucket, 20th Century

This is an elegant and stylish large vintage champagne cooler dating from the late 20th Century. This alluring item is perfectly suited to a party, and can easily accommodate eight bottles. It brings with it a touch of sophistication and class and 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 am. Otherwise I never touch it unless I'm thirsty." Lily Bollinger The simplicity of the design coupled with the inscriptions, has a wonderfully stately effect on the beholder. Condition: In excellent condition - please see photos for confirmation of condition. Dimensions in cm: Height 30 x Width 65 x Depth 38 Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot x Width 2 foot, 2 inches x Depth 1 foot, 3 inches 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 Boubers, 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 Maréchal 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.