Napoleon III Black Gutta Percha Inkstand, Late 19th Century

A rectangular shaped paperweight with inset Porphyry, Siena Marble and Mother of Pearl in black marble framework

The tilt-top painted with faux marble design in the center surrounded by a vine and leaf pattern.

The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.

The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...

The profile of Caesar in profile in high relief. The yellow marble base with stepped edges.

Attributed to Leon Messager for Francois Linke, with Rococo and seashell Decoration.

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...

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Important Napoleon III Vase, 19th century A black marble casette with bronze mounts in the shape of lions, circa 1860. H.: 45 cm. Very good condition.

Beautiful antique inkstand with two crystal inkwells. The base and the lids are made of gutta-percha, a molded resin, France, circa 1880. The lids fe...