Antique Double Inkstand With Glass Inserts, Gutta-Percha, France, Circa 1880

Exceptional Gutta-Percha inkwell with original glass inserts.  

Beautiful antique inkstand with one glass for the ink in the center. Made of Gutta-Percha in a very nice condition.

Beautiful antique box made of gutta-percha, France, around 1880. Former used as a pyrogene and to put matches in, can now also be used wonderfully as a jewelry box. Exceptional ornam...

Beautiful picture frame from France circa 1880. The antique Gutta Percha is in a very good condition.

Beautiful victorian picture frame from France circa 1880. Made of the particular material Gutta-Percha.

Beautiful victorian picture frame from France circa 1880. Made of the particular material Gutta-Percha.

This superb Napoleon III Gutta Percha pen holder was handcrafted in France in the 1880s. The antique desk accessory is exquisitely crafted with different molded designs on each side and delicate ornamentation throughout. There is no known maker. This desk accessory is in overall good condition for a 150-year-old piece. The material is still shiny, with minor scratches and scuffs, but they do not significantly affect the overall appearance. Check the close-up. Measurements: 12.19 in wide (31 cm) x 3.94 in deep (10 cm) x 1.75 in high (4.5 cm). Note: Gutta-percha is a tree of the genus Palaquium in the family Sapotaceae. The name also refers to the rigid, naturally biologically inert, resilient, electrically nonconductive, thermoplastic latex derived from the tree. It is a polymer of isoprene that forms a rubber-like elastomer. The word "gutta-percha" comes from the plant's name in Malay: "Getah" translates as "latex." Percha or Perca is an older name for Sumatra. Long before Gutta-percha was introduced into the Western world, it was used in a less processed form by the natives of the Malaysian archipelago for making knife handles, walking sticks, and other purposes.  William Montgomerie, a Scottish medical officer in imperial service, introduced gutta-percha into practical use in the West. He was the first to appreciate the potential of this material in medicine, and he was awarded the gold medal by the Royal Society of Arts, London, in 1843. This material was scientifically classified in 1843 and was recognized as a valuable natural thermoplastic. During the second half of the 19th century, gutta-percha was used for many domestic and industrial purposes. Gutta-percha was particularly important for the manufacture of underwater telegraph cables...

The black inkstand with a molded lion decoration with a shell pen tray. The two glass inkwells on either end.

A truly unusual and quite spectacular Victorian inkstand made from cast polished bronze standing on cast reticulated feet. The gallery around the back is also pierced or reticulated ...

American Civil War era gutta-percha inkwell with a screw off top. In the mid 19th century, gutta-percha (hard rubber) became very popular. For Civi...

A magnificent English Victorian inkwell made from solid English brass having been professionally polished to gleam. This grand figural dog inkwell was modelled in the form of an E...

Decorative Victorian brass inkwell with a glass insert a nice size and good conversation piece for any desk. This inkwell could use a good cleaning or po...