A wonderful Grand Tour souvenir, this French double inkwell and pen stand is hand made with natural sea shells, mother of pearl remains highly pearlescent and a shimmer of rainbow in the pink to green predominant coloration. Ormolu, silver plated metal and twisted brass wires form a form and rigging for the flowing sails, and a platform into which the 2 original glass inkwells rest. Their caps are the old original and are modeled in the old French sailor's hat style. A little anchor hanging on the front, a round fitting that surely once held a small working compass (no longer with it) and 2 small silver dolphins that form the holder for a pen. The pen shown is not included. It's a prop only, shown for ambiance and scale.
Very good to excellent for age and type. I can disclose that one of the old original glass ink pots is broken, and we've shown it well in our photos. You might be able to find a replacement. The caps are original and still with the set. There is a round fitting that I'm quite sure one had a small compass that has gone missing. One of the nicest of this type of old souvenir, it's incised with a destination name, but I'm unable to make sense of it. Ste. Albresse or something similar, but I'm just not getting it. Perhaps you know the French coastline better than I do and can help us identify this location. Measurements are noted on the photos, but it is almost 9" tallest. There might be some slight roughness to cut edges of the mother of pearl, but I don't find any chips of note. Look it over carefully, please.
Our photos are large and clear. We do expect our customers to review them all, evaluate the item based on both our description and our images. Thanks for all the compliments - we love what we do! Antiques & Uncommon Treasure - all the best, all the time!
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