French Champlevé Enamel Inkstand

This French Champlevé enamel pen tray and inkwell is finished with a vibrant combination of blue, white, and red enamel work on a bronze base, complemented by white stone and brass elements.

The pen tray forms the base of the piece. It has a distinctive, somewhat curvilinear shape with extended wings or arms on either side. The bronze framework of the tray is intricately decorated using the Champlevé technique. This involves carving or etching depressions into the bronze and then filling these areas with enamel. The enamel work on the tray features a rich tapestry of blue, white, and red hues, arranged in stylized designs characteristic of the Champlevé style.

The central inkwell is elevated on a brass stem. The inkwell itself is also decorated using the Champlevé enamel technique, continuing the color scheme of blue, white, and red in elaborate patterns. It has a hinged lid, also enameled and topped with a decorative finial.

The base of the pen tray incorporates a panel of white stone, possibly onyx, which provides a smooth and contrasting surface for resting pens. The white stone panel is set within a brass framework that matches the detailing on the rest of the piece. Additionally, the pen tray features a brass pen holder – a curved post attached to the tray at each end.