Mother-of-Pearl Veneer Over Wood

This is a classic example of 19th-century French luxury ware, specifically in the style associated with the Palais Royal boutiques in Paris.

Identification & Origin

• Style: French Palais Royal. These items were high-end luxury souvenirs and gifts sold in the prestigious boutiques surrounding the gardens of the Palais Royal in Paris.
• Origin: France. The specific technique of applying thin, iridescent sheets of mother-of-pearl (MOP) over a wooden core is a signature of Parisian workshops from this era.
• Date: Circa 1840–1860 (late Charles X to early Napoleon III period).

Description

Frame & Body

The inkstand is constructed with a wooden frame that has been meticulously veneered with rectangular panels of mother-of-pearl. A defining characteristic of this piece is the crenulated (serrated) top edge of the upper gallery, which provides a delicate, crown-like appearance and a place to  rest a pen.

The Drawer

The front features a functional drawer, intended for storing steel nibs, stamps, or sealing wax. The front of the drawer is also veneered in MOP to match the body, and the interior shows the original wood (likely fruitwood or pine, which was common for the structural core).

Bronze Mounts

• Lids & Handles: The lids are topped with ornate gilt bronze (ormolu) or high-quality brass handles featuring a foliate or “acanthus leaf” motif.
• Drawer Pull: The drawer pull is an elegant, cast bronze handle with a central knob and scrolled wings, typical of French Neo-Renaissance or Rococo Revival styles.
• Inkwells: The two circular glass wells are original; they are held within bronze collars that are integrated into the frame.

Feet

The stand rests on four small, rounded mother-of-pearl “bun” feet. These delicate feet are a standard feature of high-quality French desk boxes and “necessaires” from the mid-19th century.

The “377” Mark

The handwritten number “377” on the underside is almost certainly an inventory or lot number from a previous auction house, museum collection, or private estate. It is not a manufacturer’s mark, as these boutiques usually identified themselves via paper labels (which often fell off over time) or small engraved signatures on the locks (e.g., Tahan or Alphonse Giroux), though unsigned pieces were very common.

Summary Table