Absolutely gorgeous & rare antique French hallmarked 18k gold on sterling silver or “vermeil” and oversized, heavy wheel cut crystal 4 1/8” paperweight style inkwell, Gustave Keller Paris silversmith! I’ve always had a special place in my heart for these oversized “paperweight” type inkwells, normally though we find them with English silver. This one with a rare French silver top and, even more rare, with the French vermeil or gold plating to the silver. Stunning! Thick, heavy, solid crystal that weighs a hair under 4.5 lbs and with a diamond like shimmering facet cut base. The vermeil silver top with the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the tiny number “1” within those marks means it’s in .950 silver (95% pure so above the .925 standard for “sterling” silver). The silversmith mark is for Gustave Keller, a notable French silversmith, Paris circa 1881-1922. As beautiful as any we’ve had, rare large size and fabulous condition!
Very good to excellent condition! Possibly a tiny nip or two to the base but no larger chips, no cracks or other flaws in the heavy crystal body. The vermeil sterling silver top has a bit of wear to the gold plating, the silver showing through in some areas, particularly in the bead festooned raised portions and a few spots or ‘nicks’ on the actual flat lid area. It would have had an inner glass ink pot but it’s gone missing over the years. See pictures for all measurements.
