Charming, no? This is a mid-1800s French silver plate inkwell stand and pen holder (2) with the cutest figure of a French Poodle ever, isn't he? Heavy bronze casting that has been plated in silver (you see a little bronze peeking through on places where the old silver has been polished away). The tilt-back head opens to reveal the repository for the ink pot, which would have been a small glass or ceramic insert, but we don't have the old original inset. These are usually easy to replace and several companies do make the replacements for these old wells. I have a few - if one fits, we'll add it to the dog. The tray is also a desk tray into which compartments (4) one can organize a desk top). The only maker mark we find is impressed on bottom, J L E or perhaps it's a C? I didn't find any reference to it. And in fact I've never seen another similar, so perhaps it's the artist/sculptor's signature. I'm unable to be certain. If you know or recognize it, please do email us. The tray is 6" in diameter and overall it's 5" high to top of poodle's head (closed). Purchased in Paris last year.
Very good condition for age and type. There is some loss to the silver plating from years of polishing, and the weight of this one assures us it is bronze beneath the silver. The two pen stands look like little urns resting to either side of the seated poodle. Four compartments are sectioned in the 1" deep tray, as you can see in our images. No dents, no breaks. No glass or ceramic ink pot inside, though, either. We'll try to match one, can't guarantee our extras will fit. But this one is sure to go to a poodle lover, and less likely to need to be put in use. Isn't it fabulous!
