Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is a very fine quality French 19th Century Empire Style Inkwell in Bronze and Marble. The Empire Style takes its name from the First French Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte and formally lasted from around 1800 to the fall of Napoleon in 1815 but in practice it was a feature of French design well into the 1820s and 1830s.

This wonderful inkwell sits on a round stepped grey marble base. It is supported by two legs featuring lion's paw feet and roaring lion heads. The inkwell sits inside a cup of grey marble and has two handles rising from a central bronze belt. The lid again has a curved grey marble outer and there is a finial of a bird with spread tail and upraised wings. It is a very well crafted item that would look superb on a desk today. It is still usable as an inkwell, it could be used to hold paper clips, drawing pins or any small accessory or is just a magnificent ornamental piece.

Condition is very good with no dings or dents to the metal and no chips or cracks in the marble. The inkwell is securely fitted to the base by two original bolts and the whole piece has a very solid, quality feel to it. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The inkwell stands 17cm / 6.75" high to the top of the finial, it is 14.5cm / 5.75" from handle to handle and the marble base is 12cm / 4.75" in diameter. It weighs a hefty 1.29Kg / 45.5oz.

Shipping in the UK is £16 by Royal Mail Special Delivery Parcel Post, which covers the weight and insurance for the value of the item.

Overseas customers please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.