French Inkstand – Onyx with Silvered Mountings

This opulent French inkstand combines the natural beauty of onyx with elaborate silvered brass mounts.

• Materials: The primary material is a green onyx, characterized by its translucent quality and distinctive swirling patterns and veins, showcasing shades of light to medium green. This natural stone forms the flat, rectangular base of the inkstand, as well as the bodies and caps of the two inkwells. The metal components are silvered brass.
• Design and Structure: The inkstand is composed of a main rectangular onyx tray, featuring cut-out corners and a raised central platform, also of onyx.
  • Ornate Mountings: The edges of the onyx tray are adorned with silvered brass mounts, featuring intricate scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and shell motifs, typical of French Neoclassical style. The corners are accented with elaborate handles.
  • Inkwells: The inkwells are themselves miniature masterpieces: crafted from green onyx, they are fitted with matching silvered brass collars, bases, tassels, and ornate finial tops that resemble pinecones. Each inkpot stands on three delicate, scrolled feet.
  • Central Embellishment: In the front, centered on the main tray, is an applied silvered brass emblem depicting crossed torches and a quiver, a classical theme, related to love (Cupid’s quiver), enlightenment (torches), or victory.