French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell

An elegant French 19th century Charles X st. patinated bronze, ormolu and Sienna marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a rectangular Sienna marble base. The pedestal displays an e...

An elegant and charming French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by Fine topie shaped feet below the elegantly shaped wrap ...

An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and crystal inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a fine circular ormolu base with a lovely reeded and richly chased palmette design. Above the fine mottled base is the beautiful crystal bowl with a lovely spiral fluted design. The top rim displays a superb and richly chased wrap around band with charming flowers. Above are the three removable lidded vessels, two for ink, one for pounce, each set within a pierced tray...

A charming and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, stamped, P.C.G. The inkwell is raised by Fine fluted bun shaped feet below the beau...

A Fine Gilt Bronze and Onyx Inkwell Surmounted by Michelangelo's Lorenzo de Medici Constructed from a dished piece of onyx, raised on ormolu stepped feet with carrying handles to th...

Inkwell in yellow Siena marble with a gilt bronze bust of Napoleon at the top. On the sides, gilded bronze inkwells with finely chiseled fret decorations and leafy scrolls. The inkwe...

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...

This handsome inkwell has well-defined lines and includes spots for four writing pieces. The marble is a soft grey color and the inkwell itself nicely crafted.