That cross over ribbon border might make you think this one is French, but it is only a design element borrowed from the French. We have here a remarkably fine c.1919 English inkwell with self-pen stand or tray beneath, fine solid English sterling silver framing in steam-pressed tray and lid of beautifully colored cognac to chocolate shell. I know there were wonderful faux tortoiseshell items made with casein, a milk protein composite, that are a dead mimic to tortoise shell. The mottles we see on this item might suggest it is that. In any case, the beautiful old desktop set presents to perfection, and is such a beauty, I know it won't last long. English silversmith marks for Clewley & Co., normally of Birmingham but the date letter appears to be from Chester, 1919, so “antique” (100 years or more).
Very good to excellent condition, without any flaws to note. I've run my fingers over the fine old cut glass ink pot and don't find any nips or chips there on the points, though there is a fine chip to the bottom side of one cut fluted edge, not enough to bother, but just to mention. A really fine old piece.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details. We do hold a valid USFWS license, as well, for import/export, but additional time is required for export, and we are not exporting at this time.
