Cherub / Angel Guarding Inkwell

This is a high-quality French gilt bronze (ormolu) and crystal inkstand, dating to the late 19th century (circa 1880–1900). It is designed in the flamboyant Rococo Revival style (also known as the Louis XV style), which was very popular in Paris during the Belle Époque. Two examples are pictured.

Physical Description

• The Figure: The centerpiece is a finely cast, winged cherub (or putto) standing in a dynamic, slightly asymmetrical pose. His right arm is outstretched, while his left hand is held near his chest. The casting shows good detail in the feathers of the wings and the curls of the hair.
• The Base: The inkstand sits on a heavily ornamented base featuring classic Rococo motifs: C-scrolls, acanthus leaves, and “rocaille” (shell-like) flourishes. The front of the base has holders to lay a dip pen horizonally.
• The Inkwell: It features a single, heavy square-cut crystal reservoir. This glass insert sits within a decorative gilt bronze ring on the right side of the stand.
• The Lid: Example #2 has a separate, unattached domed lid with a scrolling foliate finial that matches the ornate casting of the base.
• Construction: The underside shows a granular, “pebbled” texture characteristic of sand casting. The absence of a maker’s mark is typical for Parisian bronze foundries of the era (such as those in the Le Marais district), which often produced these luxury desk accessories for high-end retailers.

Origin and Date

• Where: France (Paris). The style of the scrolls and the specific quality of the gilding are hallmarks of Parisian bronze work.
• When: Circa 1880–1900. While it mimics the 1750s, the crispness of the glass and the mechanical nature of the casting point to the late Victorian/Napoleon III era.