French Louis XVI Style Bronze Ormolu and Rouge Marble Inkwell By Susse Frères

Dimensions: Height: 6 1/2 in Width: 15 3/4 in Depth: 9 in This antique French Louis XV style bronze ormolu inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at the photos prov...

Dimensions - H: 19 1/2 in W: 21 1/2 in D: 21 1/2 in An extraordinary Antique French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Marble Top Pedestal by François Linke, dating to the final decade of the...

Dimensions - H: 4 1/2 in W: 6 3/4 in D: 4 1/2 in This exquisite Antique French Napoleonic Style bronze box captures the imperial grandeur and refined craftsmanship associated with ...

Dimensions - H: 5 in W: 8 3/4 in D: 3 1/2 in This beautiful antique 19th century bronze ormolu interior fitted jewelry casket with Wedgewood plaque inserts is made of the highest qu...

Rouge marble and gilt bronze inkwell with seated angel, in the neoclassical style, signed "Francois Flamand".

Crafted in France circa 1880, this elegant desk inkwell is a refined example of Louis XVI style design. The square base is fashioned from richly veined dark green marble with molded ...

A striking French 19th century Louis XVI st. Alabastro marble and ormolu inkwell. The inkwell is raised by elegant topie shaped ormolu feet below the beautiful Alabastro marble suppo...

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...