Late 19th-Century French Gilt and Patinated Bronze “Cockerel” Inkstand

Description: This Empire Revival inkstand, dating to approximately 1880, features a dual-toned bronze construction set upon a substantial Vert de Mer marble base. The focal point is a superbly cast patinated bronze rooster (cockerel) in a triumphant, crowing pose with wings outstretched, standing atop a rugged, rocky outcrop. The sculpture bears the cast signature “Melotte” on its base.

The rooster is flanked by two gilt-bronze (ormolu) ink reservoirs. These circular containers are ornately cast with acanthus leaf swags and gadrooned borders, topped with hinged, domed lids featuring classical finials. Inside, the reservoirs contain white porcelain inserts. The marble base is designed with a broad, recessed pen tray at the front and sits on four turned gilt-bronze toupie feet.

Details

• The Signature “Melotte”: The signature belongs to a documented but relatively elusive sculptor of the late 19th-century French/Belgian school. While less famous than animalier masters like Barye, “Melotte” pieces appear in high-end European collections, often featuring birds or classical figures. The style and casting quality suggest a professional foundry-level artist active in the 1870s–1890s.
• Style & Dating: The piece is a textbook example of Empire Revival. The use of green marble paired with gilt-bronze accents and acanthus motifs was intended to evoke the grandeur of Napoleon I’s reign (early 1800s), but the specific casting techniques and the “naturalist” style of the rooster place it firmly in the Belle Époque/Napoleon III period (circa 1880).
• Marble Type: Based on the deep forest-green hue and the intricate white veining, the stone is almost certainly Vert de Mer marble, a favorite in French luxury goods for its regal appearance.