Renaissance Desk Accessories

Vintage 1970s Franklin Mint 1976 Baccarat France Julius Caesar Purple Sulphide Glass Paperweight with Original Box. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 2.5" H x 4.25" W x 4.2...

Inkwell Calamelli workshop (attr.). Faenza, second half of the 16th century Height 4.33 in; length 8.07 in; depth 2.95 in (11 cm; 20.5 cm; 7.5 cm) Weight: 0.800 lb (363 g) State of conservation: some chipping to the top of the mask around the mouth. Handle glued, without any restorations; minor chips in some raised areas. This object has the shape of a foot wearing Greek-style footwear, as can be seen in some raised areas. The foot is anatomically modeled with bare toes, while the ankle is partially covered by the footwear. On the heel, there is a small circular handle to support the object. The mouth of the container is shaped like a mask. The interior, completely enameled, suggests that the piece was intended to be used as an inkwell or to contain some other liquid. The base, however, is not enamelled. The painted decoration, scant and brief, consists of rapid cobalt blue shading between the toes of the foot, with more precise emphasis on the nails. It is accompanied by yellow citrine accents to enhance the forms. The mask is painted with the tip of the brush, to accentuate the tense nature of the eyes and to accentuate their outline. Thin strokes of yellow-orange line the interior of the mouth. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. This artwork finds parallels in similar objects all characterized by this refined style and produced in the city of Faenza and other Italian centers starting from the mid-16th century. The closest comparable example in majolica is a foot acquired by the British Museum in 2011 (inv. 2011, 8008.1). This was previously published by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti in 1996 and later by Dora Thornton in 2016 during the conference on Renaissance ceramics...

19th Century English Silvered Metal 'Worried Knight' Inkwell Add a touch of classical whimsy to your home or office with our tole figural knight inkwell. Made in later 19th century ...

Table lectern of Garcilaso de la Vega. Spain, wrought iron, circa first third of the 16th century. Bibliography: MARQUÉS DE SIERRA BULLONES, “Garcilaso: Four Notes on the Occasion o...

A beautiful and substantial marble decorative object or paperweight with brass putti and grapevine relief design, in the Renaissance style, circa mid to late-20th century. This piece...

Vintage 1970s Cristal D'Albret France Limited Edition Christopher Columbus Glass Faceted Cobalt Blue Paperweight in Original Box. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: (Box) 2" H x ...

Vintage 1970s Cristal D'Albret France Limited Edition Christopher Columbus Sulphide Glass Faceted Cobalt Blue Paperweight (No box or COA). Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 1.75...

An antique ink stand, made of polished brass, completely in Renaissance style, with richly pieced scroll motifs. The inkwell has two removable ink we...

Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) blue swirl design colored crystal paperweight.

Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) multi colored round crystal paperweight with 5 bubbles.

Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) multi colored round crystal paperweight with floral design.

Vintage French Renaissance Silver Plated Figural Italian Inkstand Desk Double Inkwell. Item features double inkwell with inserts, central can...

Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) round colored crystal paperweight with pink, yellow, and blue flowers.

Italian Venetian-style (20th Century) round colored crystal paperweight with 3 blue flowers.

Wonderful signed patina bronze sculpture by Juan Clara Ayats on an onyx base of two girls playing with a chair, Spanish artist (1875-1958).   

Patinated bronze urn-shaped inkwell rests on three winged-horses evoking movement and action. The body of the inkwell is decorated with faces among garlands and the lid is topped by a seated putti holding fruitVenetian patinated bronze figural inkwell...