Fine antique Italian hallmarked .800 (nearly sterling) silver 3pc writer's set including a 6 1/8" diameter ship captain's style inkwell, letter opener & blotter and all nestled in the original fitted 14.5" storage and/or presentation case, box! These are referred to as 'boat' or 'ship captain' inkwells because of the flared base, extra wide and usually weighted so it won't tip with the rocking of the ocean waves! No weighting in this inkwell though, just the solid silver so you know what you're getting as far as the weight in troy ounces. All three pieces have hallmarks, the Italian prancing horse on the inkwell & blotter (similar to that made famous by Ferrari) and "800" on all three designating the silver content (at least 80% pure so just under the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). There is also what looks like a silversmith mark but I've been unable, to date, to find a reference online. I'm more familiar with French and English sterling silver makers so, being Italian, I haven't had much luck in my existing reference guides. This set will beautifully 'anchor' your own desktop, an elegant writing table top ensemble or wouldn't it make a wonderful gift for the yachtsman in your life....
Very good condition. As you can see in the images, the set would originally also have included a wax seal or sceau and a pen or quill handle that have gone missing over the years. All three remaining pieces are in wonderful shape, likely due to having been kept in the original box (which is also in great shape, age considered). There are some visible dark spots in the silver, likely polished out or a result of the silver alloy BUT, most of what you see in the images are simply reflections. See pictures for individual weights and measurements.
