19th Century Palais Royal Inkwell and Watch Holder

Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...

This superlative, Georgian-period silver inkwell was crafted by 18th century London silversmith James Young. Of exceptional size and quality, this large inkwell is perfectly appointed to draft important correspondence, complete with a sand shaker and compartments for writing utensils. A masterpiece of the restrained Georgian style, the inkwell bears the marital coat-of-arms of the Gresley and Coventry families with the motto “Meliore fyde quam fortuna,” or “With better fidelity than fortune.” Hallmarked London, 1782 11 1/4” wide x 7 1/2” deep x 5 1/2” high The armorial bearings almost certainly commemorate the marriage of Sir Roger Gresley, the 8th Baronet of Drakelowe, and Lady Sophia Coventry, youngest daughter of the 7th Earl of Coventry...

Malachite is one of Russia’s most prestigious stones, and its use in the creation of this rare and opulent inkwell indicates commission and ownership by an individual of considerable status. Wonderful doré bronze accents are the perfect complement to the vivid green stone. Two dipping wells and pen tray make this inkwell as functional as it is beautiful, circa 1890. Dimensions: 18 1/4” wide x 11” deep x 5 1/2” high. The 19th century proved to be the golden age of Russian malachite. The stone became a sign of prestige and a token of wealth so much so that Russian papers of the time wrote: “To afford having a big piece wrought in malachite is synonymous to owning diamonds.” Due to malachite's relatively close proximity, Russian tsars could easily obtain the malachite they needed to decorate their lavish palaces, such as the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, paneling walls and commissioning beautiful inlaid works of art. Year after year the Russian (Romanov) treasury paid increasingly unreasonable prices to hoard the best malachite, much of which went into Romanov palaces and extravagant objects d’art. The Hermitage Museum possesses a collection of over 200 examples of this “palatial” malachite...

This incredible Grand Tour inkwell relic takes the form of the ancient Tomb of the Scipios, a family of Roman war heroes and generals. Beautifully carved ent...

Wonderfully charming and boasting a high level of detail, this bronze walrus also serves as an inkwell. The incredible artistry of Viennese bronze work i...

This extraordinary crystal inkwell from the renowned Baccarat is a piece of exquisite charm and grace. Featuring a doré bronze mermaid languishing upon the crest of a rolling wave, i...

Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.

19th century Spanish bronze and mother of pearl watch stand topped with a parrot.

A 19th century cloisonné bronze watch-holder, onyx base, Napoleon III period.

A beautifully hand painted Royal Vienna double inkwell. The floral decoration on the stand and the two removable original ink holders with hinged lids. The Royal Vienna beehive...

A fine quality late 19th century gilded ormolu desk inkwell, stamped; Sormani, Paris. Having wonderful stylized scrolling foliate and shell like decoration, with a hinged central lid...

Richly chiseled and gilded bronze inkwell. Basin with lion's mouth, arched feet with scrolls and acanthus leaves, resting on an oval marble base rimmed with bronze. 19th century peri...