These are always fun, always popular and tougher to come by. This 19th century Grand Tour souvenir from France shows you why. A typical little desk stand, it's got covered original inkwell, but also the pocket watch hook up top of the mast, and the open "boat" is a cup into which one would put the contents of pockets at evening. Jewelry and pocket watch, a few coins. These old items were called "vide poche" (literally: empty pocket) in France and they still remain a staple of French homes, usually whimsical and a fun bedside accent.
The type you see here dates 19th century, and this one is in very good form for age and type. The sail is made of a rippled natural shell cut in form of shell, and it's radiant with pearlescent shimmer. Our photos often seem to not show that off well. Something in our lighting, but it's there. The sand and sailboat's body are also natural shells. Mast sports that hook for a pocket watch, as noted. Measurements are found on the photos.
