1870s Paperweights

From France, a signed Palissy style majolica paperweight, a lizard on a mound, Thomas Sergent, School of Paris, circa 1875-1879. Thomas-Victor Sergent developed an enthusiasm for cr...

An extremely scarce glazed earthenware desk weight or paperweight of a Stag Beetle, from the workshop of Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, circa. 1870-80. In the Palissy style, the life cast beetle is molded in a naturalistic manner, and glazed in tones of brown. The insect sits on an oval base of green extruded clay creating a moss effect, he holds something yellow in his front pincers. The base has a blue scalloped rim. The clear glazed underside is indented. Manuel Cipriano Gomes (1831-1905) was born near Mafra. In 1850, he moved to Caldas da Rainha, a spa town in central west Portugal known for ceramic making. He adopted the name Mafra and set up his workshop in 1853, having purchased the existing workshop of Maria dos Cacos, for whom he had at first worked. In 1870, he gained royal patronage. The artisanal workshop specialized in zoomorphic vessels...

This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour Micro-Mosaic inset serpentine black marble desk weight, circa 1870 in date. The cartouche shaped top features micromosaic decoration depicting "The Doves of Pliny" which depicts four doves drinking water from an ornate bowl...

Antique bell shaped brass 2 LB grocers weight, marked 2 Lb on top. The weight can make a wonderful paper weight, decorative sculpture or door stopper. S...

Marble and bronze gilded letter holders (Original Gilding), Napoleon III period, 19th century Measures: H 24cm, W 32cm, P 16cm.

This 19th century cast iron paper press on painted stand is amazingly well preserved, and still perfectly functional after well over a hundred years of ser...