small, movable wine cooler and, later, also a deep, metal-lined tray with compartments for holding bottles in a sideboard. Most portable cellarettes were made of mahogany, and designs were varied, the shape governed to some degree by the shapes of wine bottles. Early wine bottles were short and squat, but in the late 18th century they became progressively taller, a trend that was reflected in the depth of cellarettes.

Common varieties were circular or oval, hooped with brass bands, and provided with tapered, fluted legs with castors. Usually kept under the centre of a sideboard or side table, they were rolled out for use. Under the influence of the classical revival in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, sarcophagus shapes were popular. The movable cellarette continued in use after sideboards with built-in wine coolers were introduced in the 18th century and until the introduction of the refrigerator in the 20th century.