19th Century Desk Accessories

An antique rotating small book mill for your desk, including the small books. The book mill is made of mahogany wood with brass inlays. Including small books...

Victorian gilt silver plate engraved bird calling card case. Lovely engraved bird design with crosshatch background. The back and front have mirror engravings...

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...

This is a rare and unusual antique French novelty 'pen and pencil' walking cane, circa 1890 in date. The stick with one section unscrewing to reveal a fountain pen, another a prop...

Set of old books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are called for example "Sermons". T...

Fine French late 19th century ormolu mounted photo frame. The frame beautifully cast with a gilded bronze scrolling patterned surround. The boarder sweeping across the top of the frame in three separate sections hinged from top to bottom between each panel. The ormolu boarding beautiful glass panels with pressed flowers...

19th Century French long handled magnifying glass with metal frame and wooden handle. There is a very elegant horn knob figuring a greyhound with really vivid eyes. All the details a...

A brush pot, such as this one made in Hainan province, may once have sat on the desk of a learned scholar next to his brushes, inkpot, and ink stone. Made of rustic, gnarled wood...

19th century English brass resting dog double inkwell, the wells opening to the left and the right.

Emerald green glass mounted inkwell with ormolu frieze of laurels, demigods and an eagle (lid). minor wear, interior ink reservoir chipped. Minor wear to gilding. Good overall cond...

French late 19th century cut crystal and ormolu inkwell.

19th century grand tour bronze and marble roman soldier. Great quality and detail.

This compelling, small scale bronze sculpture depicts ‘The Rape of the Sabines’, after a monumental work by the Renaissance artist, Giambologna (152...

Grand tour models of Trajan's column & Cleopatra's needle, a pair Both with fine detail, and remnants of a thermometer standing 7.5" H x 3" square black marble base affixed with a bronze fence...

Magnifier with Victorian carved wood dog head accent handle with glass eyes. The magnifier portion is a later day addition to the incredible antique ha...