Gilt Desk Accessories

A very finely made antique French Palais Royal ormolu mounted mother of pearl desk stand with pen dating from around 1900. The stand comprises of an ornate looped wire work carrying handle with a candle holder mounted on a shaped metal body embossed and engraved with floral designs and with a coiled pen support one with a snake head terminal and other with a flower with a polished mother of pearl bowl...

French Art Deco Gilt Bronze Standing Bird & Serpent Pocket Watch Holder France, Circa 1920s Realistically cast and modeled gilt bronze figure of a standing tall wading bird, Possibly holding a Flamingo or Stork, with a serpent in its mouth, which is the 'hook' to hold a pocketwatch. Raised on cut cornered square black glass...

A very rare and important exhibition encrier by François Linke and Léon Messagé. French, circa 1900. Index number 709. Signed to the edge 'F. Linke'. This exceptional and ambitious encrier is modelled as two putti, each holding a standard and sitting on the water's edge, the two inkwells with hinged spirally-fluted covers with glass liners. This important inkwell is based on Léon Messagé's celebrated sculptural group 'La Source' and was originally intended by Linke to form part of his spectacular Stand at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Like seven or eight other pieces originally intended for inclusion on the Stand, it would seem the encrier was a casualty of both Linke's over-ambitious production schedule and the financial burden that the manufacture of such ornate and high quality work imposed. It was eventually shown on the Stand in September after the gilding was finished by Picard at a cost of 90 French francs. The costs of the model were very high: some 2024 francs (of which Message's combined fee was 1158 francs 40 centimes), underlining the originality and complexity. The 1900 Exposition example was sold, along with three important pieces of furniture from the Stand (the Grand bureau and associated armchair, and the Bahut Louis XV Mars et Vénus), to the South African banker and diamond merchant Solomon Joel. A further six encriers were produced up until 1925. Object Literature: Payne, Christopher. François Linke, 1855-1946, The Belle Époque of French Furniture, p. 90, pl. 97; p. 149, pl. 157; p. 150; pp. 182-183, pls 197 & 198 as exhibited at the Liege exhibition in 1905 & p. 480 for the original notes in Linke's Blue daybook of the late 1890s. François Linke (1855 - 1946) was the most important Parisian cabinet maker of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and possibly the most sought after cabinet maker of his period. He was born in 1855 in the small village of Pankraz, in what is now the Czech Republic. Records show that Linke served an apprenticeship with the master cabinetmaker Neumann, then in 1875 at the age of 20 he arrived in Paris where he lived until he died in 1946. It is known that the fledgling Linke workshops were active in Paris in the Faubourg St. Antoine as early as 1881, and during this time he supplied furniture for other more established makers such as Jansen and Krieger. The quality of Linke's craftsmanship was unsurpassed by any of his contemporaries and reached its peak with his spectacular Stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, where his Grand Bureau took the Gold Medal. He gambled his fortune and reputation on this Stand, exhibiting several breathtaking items of furniture with sculptural mounts of the most exceptional quality and proportion. His gamble worked and his reputation was established to such an extent that Linke continued to be the pre-eminent furniture house in Paris until the Second World War. As the Art Journal reported in 1900 on Linke's Stand: 'The work of M. Linke ... was an example of what can be done by seeking inspiration amongst the Classic examples of Louis XV and XVI without in any great sense copying these great works. M. Linke's work was original in the true sense of the word, and as such commended itself to the intelligent seeker after the really artistic things of the Exhibition. Wonderful talent was employed in producing the magnificent pieces of furniture displayed....' The formation of Linke's distinctive style was made possible by his collaboration with the sculptor Léon Messagé. Together Linke and Messagé designed furniture for Linke's 1900 exhibition Stand, with exuberant allegorical figures cast in high relief, that exemplified Linke's ability to seamlessly merge the different mediums of wood carving, bronze and marquetry into a dynamic unified whole. Today Linke is best known for the exceptionally high quality of his work, as well as his individualism and inventiveness. All of his work has the finest, most lavish mounts, very often applied to comparatively simple carcasses. The technical brilliance of his work and the artistic change that it represented were never to be repeated. Bibliography: Payne, Christopher. François Linke, (1855 - 1946), The Belle Époque of French Furniture, Antique Collectors' Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2003. Meyer, Jonathan. Great Exhibitions - London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, 1851-1900, Antique Collectors' Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2006; pp. 298 - 300. LeDoux - Lebard, Denise. Les Ébénistes du XIXe siècle, Les Editions de l'Amateur, (Paris), 1984; pp. 439-43. Revue Artistique & Industrielle, (Paris), July-August 1900. Coral Thomsen, D. (ed), The Paris Exhibition 1900, The Art Journal, 1901; p.341. Léon Messagé (1842-1901) had a brilliant, but short lived career. He is best known for his incredible sculptural collaboration with François Linke for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A gifted sculptor, Messagé was also responsible for much of the design and creative work for Roux et Brunet and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. Messagé enjoyed great success as a designer/sculptor before his collaboration with Linke. Indeed he was mentioned as a Gold Medal winner at the 1889 International Exhibition and was especially praised for his work on a cabinet by Zwiener. He came into contact with Linke in 1885 and it appears from then on Linke employed him on a regular basis. Messagé was primarily influenced by Rococo ornament but he strove to re-interpret it. He did not produce slavish copies, and his original approach can be appreciated in Linke's celebrated Grande Bibliothèque and Grand Bureau exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A number of drawings by Messagé are recorded and after his success at the exhibition of 1889 he was encouraged to publish his designs. 'Cahier...

A very handsome and unusual table top dressing mirror likely made in Austria in the early to mid 19thC. The shield shaped mirror has a gilded...

Italian silver gilt grand-tour bell, ca 1920. Figural handle in form of piping faun with puffed out cheeks and hoofed and hirsute hindquarters. Based on Greek statuette excavated in ...

A very fine, rare and unusual antique English Derby partners porcelain inkwell and quill pen holder decorated in the Imari pattern and dating from the early ...

A gilt bronze poudrier box with cast poem on surface by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The poem "Les 4 ages de la Femme" was an old French lyrical poem th...

A fabulous and quite fine pair of 19th century Louis XVI style English turtle-form Ormolu Mounted Blue John (Fluorspar) Obelisks. Each obelisk is finely hand-carved with the finest quality English blue...

A Rare and Marvelous Signed Baccarat Crystal Nautical Inkwell with a Dore Bronze Maiden and Patinated and Dore Bronze Ink Pots. The body is made up of...

An English Victorian black and gilt decorated mother-of-pearl and papier mâché stationary letter / card holder or desk stand with stunning, exceptionally executed city scape hand pai...

French inkwell in gilt bronze. Classical lady after the antique to the lid. She lying back against a rock with sandals and long robes and her arm over her head. To the inkwell front is an applied gilt bronze mount of palm fronds. The base has a fine decorative moulding...

A French dore bronze mounted blue opalescent and dore bronze finial covered box. This round form box is very unusual with a blue opalescent color and dore bronze mount. The top is fi...

A vintage Continental (most likey Italian) gilt tooled and embossed leather and marbleized paper five piece desk accessories set, decorated in gilt armorial motif with royal crown ov...

Early 19th Century Jewish Glass Ink pot dating back to the Biedermeier period, of European Austro-Hungarian origin. Circular shape, this clear jacketed gl...

A beautiful, small. French gilt bronze statue in the style of sculptor Hippolyte Francois Moreau, circa late-19th century, France. This gilt ...

A fantastic 1980's sculptural gilt table lamp by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, signed. Heavy, cast bronze object, fire-gilded. The electrics have been completely reworked, 2 transver...

Early 20th century Art Nouveau style gilt bronze / black marble base lion sculpture decorative piece. The piece is in great condition. Minor wear consistent with age / use. Maker's m...

A very fine quality, exquisitely hand-crafted, late nineteenth century bronze doré mounted Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (KPM) porcelain five piece desk set. The breathtaking anti...

White ceramic cup with black and golden decoration produced in Italy in the manner of Piero Fornasetti. The style of the decoration is classic and is...

A beautiful late 19th century gilt and patina bronze inkwell Depicting a bronze sleeping cherub lying on a gilt bronze settee, opening up to two ink holders.

Set of four and priced as a set of four, custom made by a foundry taking my period candlestick and making duplicates at great expense from my original model. Gold plated by electroly...

A fine ornate antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze photo frame with back easel stand, Napoleon III era, circa 1880. Richly decorated with neoclassical style motifs such as faces...

Gilt leather bound sturdy / library room complete collection set. The set include twenty 28 volumes. Funk & Wagnalls, New Encyclopedia. Each book is in gr...

A beautiful double deck set of vintage game playing cards in black and gold with Greek-Key design, circa mid-20th century, Europe, possibly Italy. This set of two decks reside in ori...

Decorate your sturdy / Library room with this collection set of gilt leather bound library book set of eighteen volumes. Germany in storm and stress ...

Very unusual antique continental gilt metal pedestal Rheinstone set globe shaped inkwell dating from the 19th century. The inkwell, possibly Russian or French stands raised on four b...

19th Century Grand Tour Imperial Austrian helmet inkwell. Apparently unmarked. Dimensions: H 8" x W 8" x D 5.5" Condition: Signs of age and use includ...

This antique paper binding press was forged in France, circa 1860. The Classic "Presse a Relier" made of solid iron is almost square in shape and features scrolled decor on the facad...

Extremely fine cherub figural two-tone doré bronze with original crystal inkwells and ink inserts attributed to F. Linke. The two cherubs sit atop this beautiful bronze piece which i...

Inkwell with large base in green serpentine marble surmounted by two cup-shaped vases with lids and lion handles with the function of inkwells. In the center, a statue of Mercury wit...

19th century black marble inkwell surmounted by a patinated bronze statue featuring Moses by Michelangelo. The statue of Moses, commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb an...

This antique pen rest or holder is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in the United States in approximately 1900 in the period Edwardian style. ...

French Empire style (19th Cent) bronze dore inkwell with perched eagle and acorn finial (signed A. MARIONNETt)

Portuguese Baroque style solid gilt bronze desk set of double inkwell Stand, ink blotter and candleholder, Portugal 1870-1880 All three pieces richly decorated with foliage features,...

Collection of gilt leather bound library book set of thirteen volumes. The works of William Shakespeare / The Cambridge text. Each boo...

We bought a nice collection of letter openers and a few were very special, this is one of them. A nice presentation of an adorable dog moving along on the handle portion of the lette...

A fine and large 19th century Chinoiserie inkwell with raised decoration and fine gilt bronze mounts. Porcelain inkpots and a porcelain bell.

Late Victorian or Aesthetic Movement gilt bronze trinket dish or vide poche or calling card dish. With a little detailed sparrow on the branche an...

An American Art Nouveau gilt bronze and mosaic inlaid TIffany Favrile "Swirl Paperweight" by, Tiffany Studios decorated with an organic swirl pattern...

Beautiful mid-19th century gilt bronze French inkwell. Measures: 6 1/2' wide by 4" deep by 4 3/4" tall.

Collection of gilt leather bound library book set of ten volumes. The complete works of George Eliot with photogravire illustrations from new drawing...

A very nice late 19th century bronze and marble 3 piece desk set. The large Chinese designed rectangular desk set centered with a bronze crane and two ...

This charming encrier, or inkwell, is made from silvered brass and gilt bronze. A central gilded figure holding a shepherd’s crook stands on top of a hexagonal pedestal with supporti...

Gilt-bronze, onyx and enamel cloisonné centerpiece. France, Late 19th century.

Antique Italian green marble and 'lava cameo' inkstand Italian, 19th century Measures: Height 10cm, diameter 14cm This charming inkstand is crafted from green marble and gilt metal....

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver posy holder; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. T...

An early 20th century American Art Nouveau Abalone pattern picture frame by, Tiffany Studios decorated in the 'Abalone" desk set pattern decorated with inlaid abalone and finished in...

Marvelously detailed French antique desk accessory inkwell made of gilt bronze and nickel plate having sculptural horseman in period outfit acco...

**There're two (2) available, each sold separately, as per listing. A Danish Faience ceramic pottery jewelry vide-poche square dish, from Denmark. Each dish has an internal band in...

Gilt bronze inkwell in the Louis XVI style, representing Love seated with two sticks in his hands, surrounded by timbales. The circular timbales in gilt bronze, are decorated with dr...

Empire bronze writing set inkwell 19th century fire-gilt Beautiful Empire inkwell with finely chased and fire-gilt bronze. Green-black mottled marble plinth. (T-48).  

This vintage 19th century inkwell is beautifully designed with a detailed sculpted doré' bronze reminiscent the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The figure is costumed in a draped g...

Small bronze inkwell dating from the first part of the 19th century. The lid of the inkwell represents a bed on which a putto is dozing. The whole rests on a rectangular base decorat...

Complete collection set of gilt leather bound library book set of one hundred twenty nine volumes. PURDON'S Pennsylvania Statutes & Consolidated Statutes Annotated. Copyright 2003 by...

A Fabulous pair of French Louis XVI style dore bronze mounted hand carved rock crystal swirling spiked candlesticks, attributed to Baguès. Each candlestick is exceptionally hand carv...

Collection of gilt leather bound library book set of eighteen. Army Life In A Black Regiment By Thomas Went Wentworth Higginson "Collector's Library ...

A gorgeous and very unusual 19th century French dore bronze mounted Sevres white porcelain three-piece clock and three-light candelabra garniture set. The Lyre shaped clock and cande...

A rare totally original French 19th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze and marble ink well with griotte and green marble marble inlay.