Fabulous & rare antique French sterling) silver 5pc writer's desk set including silver topped cut crystal inkwell, wax seal or sceau, dip pen, paper knife (scraper/eraser) and letter opener, all with an elegant ever-so-French acanthus accented bead festooned pattern and all beautifully kept in the original fitted storage and/or presentation box! Superb! It always seems hard to find lovely old French sterling silver inkwells and, when we do, they usually sell quickly. This quite rare in that it's French AND the set includes all of the desk top or writer's accoutrement and all still in the original box. Inkwell and several handles bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the tiny number "1" within those marks means they're in .950 silver (95% pure and higher than the .925 standard for "sterling" silver (a few handles bear the tiny French boar's head hallmark for .800 or better). The silversmith marks are for Maison Joseph Crossard, Paris circa 1900-1920. A wonderful gift for the writer in your family OR, a fabulous ensemble for the inkwell & desk top items collectors. Don't miss it!
Very good to excellent condition. Possibly a tiny nip or two to the inkwell but no chips, cracks or damage to note. There is a very slight bend to the bottom edge of the silver cap, near the right rear hinge area but the lid closes completely and securely, also rare that it has the inner glass ink pot. The scraper or eraser blade is pre-stainless so it does have some age/tarnish spots. The box is in fine shape with just some surface marks evidencing its age. No other damage to note. See pictures for all measurements.
