Art Nouveau Nautical Objects

An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual antique Victorian English sterling silver magnifying glass / hand lens with nautical interest - boxed; an addition to our range of ornamental office silverware. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver magnifying glass/hand lens has a plain circular form. The broad sterling silver rim encircling the magnification glass is embellished with three wire work scrolling motifs in the Art Nouveau style. The magnifying lens is fitted with a fine and impressive Art Nouveau style wirework handle featuring a central bead ornamentation with an elongated rounded scrolling lozenge design to either side and a lobed tortuous terminal. This piece of antique silverware is fitted to the original hinged leatherette box with satin and velvet lined interior. The exterior surface of the box is ornamented with an impressive coat of arms depicting a coronet surmounting an anchor with a rose seeded within the garter, incorporating the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ - ‘Shamed be he who thinks evil of it’. The cover of the box secures with a fully working push fit catch; the cover does not close perfectly due to a minor distortion. This magnifying glass is an exceptional and unusual example of its type. The rose seeded within the garter is used for the company badge of the 6th Captain, first pertained to Henry IV. The garter is a reference to The Order of the Garter, a ‘belt’ and motto for one of the most senior orders of chivalry which was inspired by Author and the Knights of the Round Table. The order was established by Edward III but added to the Royal Arms by King Henry VIII. Dimensions: Length 19.5cm/7.7" Length of handle 10.2cm/4" Diameter of glass 8.6cm/3.4" Width 10cm/3.9" Height 1.5cm/0.6" Maker: Alfred Clark...