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Antiques & Uncommon Treasure
Best of the BEST! 17th to 19th c. French sterling silver, Georgian jewelry, sewing etc
$209 USD SaleSALE Rare 19c Gilt Bronze Souvenir Thermometer Stand
Antiques:Desktop Items
A TRULY INCREDIBLE DESKTOP TREASURE! OFFERING A GILT BRONZE FRAMED THERMOMETER, WITH SOUVENIR EMBLEM THAT IS A PHOTO ON GLASS "St. Wolfgang" - a building and mountain scene, German(?) (you experts & Euros, please clue me in to where this is, & email me so I can add to the description. Thanks!). The frame is a wonderful pines & mill setting for the great old R C glass thermometer. The set has an easel back, and stands beautifully among a collection of antique inkwells and miniature photo frames. ...
$506 USD SaleSALE PAIR Antique English Armorial Wax Seal Impressions, Framed - Fine Georgian Burled Maple Frames (2)
Antiques:Desktop Items
I have loved the look, feel and history of armorial and personalized seals forever. They conjur thoughts of quill pens, elegantly scripted prose, love letters and documents of war, love, life, death and transfer of property (including people, actually) through time. Prior to envelopes, a letter was folded and then a drop of sealing wax applied to the seam, stamped with the crest/monogram seal of the sender; not to be unsealed until the courrier had delivered it to the proper recipient. These ...
$124 USD SaleSALE RARE Antique French Thermometer Stand, Gutta Percha
Antiques:Desktop Items
A wonderful desktop accent for your collection, this is an early forerunner of plastic - the Gutta Percha or Thermoplastic out of which early photography cases were made in the 1850s, and here used as a framework for desk thermometer. The myriad of ways the earliest easily-molded substance was used are seemingly endless, and desk sets, inkwells, standish, hand mirrors, frames for photos - quite a lot of useful and decorative items that had formerly been carved in wood were now easily produced ...
$166 USD SaleSALE Rare 19th C. Gilt Bronze & Porcelain Gondola/Urn Inkwell/Stand
Antiques:Desktop Items
Fabulous & Rare 19th Century-1900 French Porcelain Ovoid Gondola or Ovoid Urn Shaped Inkwell/Inkstand with Gilt Bronze Collar & Quill Holes! Slightly flawed, with a stable stress crack but a truly beautiful old piece and suitable for display with the finest! Hand painted floral enamel, gilt trim and such a fantastic shape! Very Good Condition! As stated, there is a stress crack/fracture but the piece is as solid as new. No danger of breaking, no chips or other breaks and no repairs! See pictures ...
$251 USD SaleSALE Rare 19th C. Carved Ivory Figural Bust: a Wax Stamp, Seal or Sceau!
Antiques:Desktop Items
Wonderful & rare 19th century hand carved continental ivory figural wax stamp, seal or sceau, a wicked looking gent with ornate "R" monogram! A novelty piece perhaps, I surely hope it wasn't carved in the likeness of its owner :). The entire handle is of solid hand turned ivory, beautifully done even if the figure is a bit ghastly. Hollow eye sockets, a long hooked nose and a ragged looking grin.....a truly haunting fellow! I thought about putting tiny facet cut ruby glass 'jewels' in his eyes, ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Superb 19c French Ormolu/Alabaster Inkwell
Antiques:Desktop Items
ABSOLUTELY SUPERB 19c FRENCH INKWELL WITH ORMOLU INK POT & PEN HOLDERS AND A WHITE ALABASTER PLINTH! Wonderful! Doesn't it just look stunning with the fine mother of pearl handled quills! The PERFECT desktop accent and would mesh beautifully with those fine old Napoleon III or Grand Tour souvenir pieces with with gilt bronze/ormolu & white alabaster! The base is marked, "UNIS FRANCE". EXCELLENT CONDITION! There is just a slight discoloration on the alabaster around the ink pot (blue) which might ...
$1,101 USD SaleSALE Rare Antique French Sevres Enamel 5" Inkwell, Inkstand, HP Flowers & 'Jewels'
Antiques:Desktop Items
Absolutely gorgeous & rare antique French Napoleon III era kiln-fired enamel 5" writer's inkwell or inkstand, Sevres blue with a striking array of gold & silver foil accents, hand painted floral garland and raised bead 'jewels'! Isn't this one fabulous! One of several superb old French enamel works that we're listing today so be sure to browse some while you're with us. Thanks! This one a beautiful desk or writing table top accent. Three enameled sections including the large saucer shaped base, ...
$1,016 USD SaleSALE Superb Large Antique English Coromandel Slope, Lap Desk
Antiques:Desktop Items
A masterpiece of English cabinetry, mid-1800s, this Victorian 'slope' or lap desk is made of finest exotic coromandel wood, which was imported from India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) or South East Asia, where it is found. A masterfully crafted and exceptionally well preserved chest, this one has only one or two very simple flaws, and the worst being that the 2 glass inkwells are no longer in their compartments. Since this is the simplest thing to do so far as putting it back together, we're not even ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Superb Antique French Champleve Enamel Inkwell, Pen Tray
Antiques:Desktop Items
What a gorgeous one this is! A heavy thing, as well, with rich and elaborate champleve enamel (kiln-fired) on a heavy gilt-bronze base that is centered with a very fine old glass inkwell. The enamel work on this one is exquisite, unusual - certainly the work of a master. I half expected to see this one signed 'Barbedienne', as it is very similar to the enameled bronze crucifix we sold a couple of years ago which was so signed (unusual for Barbedienne enamels, after all, since they are a bronze ...
$591 USD SaleSALE RARE 3pc Antique French Gilt Bronze Desk Set: Stationery Casket, Folio & Pen Tray!
Antiques:Desktop Items
Gorgeous & rare antique French Napoleon III era three piece gilded bronze desk or writer's set including stationery casket, blotter or portfolio and pen tray with elegant matching 'gilt rope' decoration! We normally find these all separately and only on a very rare occasion are the sets still together. Here's a beautiful exception, consisting of three original matched pieces and rare to include the dome topped stationery box! All with a simple but very elegant gilded finish and the solitary gold ...
$931 USD SaleSALE Rare Antique French Green Opaline & Ormolu "Egg" Scent or Perfume Casket, Opaline Decanter
Antiques:Desktop Items
Green opaline is the rarest color, the one most collectors have the hardest time adding into their collection, so we're thrilled to bring this spectacular and pristine early 1800s Palais Royal French opaline 'egg' to our customers. The condition is, as noted, pristine. Brilliant gilt ormolu framework hasn't a flaw other than a slight bend or two, and the interior is fitted still for the attending perfume vial, flask, flacon or bottle, which is white opaline glass. Hinge and clasp are working ...
$591 USD SaleSALE Rare Antique French Champleve Enamel 6" Stationery Box, Jewelry Box, Gilded Bronze or Brass
Antiques:Desktop Items
Fabulous & rare antique French Napoleon III era 6" desk top stationery casket,a lovely gilt bronze or brass box with colorful champleve enamel straps, medallions and machined decoration! Yes, this was surely a stationery box originally, the interior would have had slots but has recently been relined with a cream colored moire silk. Great as a desk top decorative accent, especially if you happen to have other champleve enamel pieces like an inkwell or inkstand, candle holders, etc. Rare to find a ...
$1,016 USD SaleSALE Rare Antique Louis Philippe Era Burled Walnut 18" Writing Slope, Desk with Finished Interior
Antiques:Desktop Items
Fabulous HUGE antique 1820-40s Louis Philippe era burled walnut writer's slope, a table top desk with richly figured veneers, original tooled leather writing surface and finished interior compartment! We think this piece dates to the early 1800s but no later than the Victorian era. A beautiful piece of furniture really with serpentine shaped sides and those magnificent veneers! Measuring an immense 18 1/4" x 17" at the top and it weighs right at 14 pounds (kg). Thick, solid wood construction is ...
$1,016 USD SaleSALE Superb Kiln-fired Enamel Opera Glasses, Binoculars, French w Mother of Pearl, EC!
Antiques:Desktop Items
Mid to late 1800s collaboration between the Paris Optician, La Maire et Fils, and the enamel artists of Sevres (not to be confused with the porcelain firm, Manufactory Royal de Sevres), whose kiln-fired barrels, here decorated in floral bouquest and silver rocailles against a ground of Celeste Blue (also called Sevres blue), and with raised enamel bead-jewel trim in purple/lavendar. Mother of pearl eyepiece and adjustment wheel are each in fine form, as well as are the lenses. The overall look ...
$1,016 USD SaleSALE Superb Antique French Kiln-Fired Enamel Opera Glasses, Binoculars in Celeste Blue, Sevres
Antiques:Desktop Items
Mid to late 1800s collaboration between the Paris Optician, La Monte, and the enamel artists of Sevres (not to be confused with the porcelain firm, Manufactory Royal de Sevres), whose kiln-fired barrels, here decorated in floral bouquest and silver rocailles against a ground of Celeste Blue (also called Sevres blue), and with raised enamel bead-jewel trim in purple/lavendar. Mother of pearl eyepiece and adjustment wheel are each in fine form, as well as are the lenses. The overall look is one of ...
$2,376 USD SaleSALE Superb Antique French TAHAN Napoleon III Era 15.5" Writer's Chest, an Opulent Kingwood Marquetry Box
Antiques:Desktop Items
Exceptional & rare antique French Napoleon III era TAHAN marked 15.5" desk or table top writer's chest with gorgeous marquetry style kingwood veneers, gilt ormolu trim, complete fitted interior with two inkwells and a lovely hand painted Sevres style plaque! Yes, marked by the world renowned TAHAN, when one looks for the best of the best, that name ranks up there with only a handful of Parisian ebanisti (Vervelle and Sormani to name a few others). Nice larger size, this one measures 15.5" wide, ...
$251 USD SaleSALE Victorian Grand Tour Souvenir, Eglomise St. Paul's Cathedral Card Tray
Antiques:Desktop Items
I believe these were mostly made in France, but this one is one of the ones depicting an architectural highlight of London, Christopher Wren's masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral. The eglomise, or 'back-painted' glass panel on which the painting is done is oversized and rather 'Turner' in the colors and light of the sky, but it does have some moisture damage around the perimeter as can be easily seen and evaluated in our photos and scans. The tray itself on this one is superb! Beautifully sculpted ...
$149 USD SaleSALE Antique French Sterling Silver Wax Seal, an Owl "M E"
Antiques:Desktop Items
A majestic owl, (chouette in French) with wings unfurled and standing atop a stand, incorporated into the French Empire motifs that normally would show a swan rather than an owl. Rare, indeed, to find an owl in a French Empire motif. There must be some special meaning or crest or association here, but I don't know what it is. In most folklore, the owl represents wisdom and helpfulness, and even a guide to 'the Underworld', also interpreted as having prophetic powers. The French belief is that if ...
$209 USD SaleSALE Antique Karlsbad Specimen Mosaic Pietra Dura Wax Seal
Antiques:Desktop Items
Wonderful & rare 19th century Victorian era Karlsbad specimen hardstone or pietra dura mosaic handled wax seal or sceau, pristine! For the collectors, this would be a fantastic addition to a fine ensemble of antique wax seals! We've had a handful of these old 'Karlsbad' marked souvenir pieces, currently only one other so be sure to browse a bit while you're with us. This one is the first seal that we've come across, very unique and in pristine condition! Don't miss it! Excellent condition! No ...
$100 USD SaleSALE Antique Sterling Silver Wax Seal or Sceau, HK Monogram
Antiques:Desktop Items
Wonderful antique English or American turn of the century sterling silver handled wax seal or sceau, classical styling with engraved monogram! One of a few fabulous old writer's implements that we're listing this week, this one in nearly perfect condition. Elegant styling, long silver handle and both the engraved monogram and seal match :). Don't miss it. Excellent condition! No chips or damage to the handle, no damage or repairs to the silver. See pictures for measurements.
$166 USD SaleSALE Antique Carved Mother of Pearl Wax Seal, Writer's Sceau
Antiques:Desktop Items
Elegant antique Napoleon III or Victorian era carved mother of pearl writer's wax seal or sceau, incised & lac filled monogram on the pearl sealing tip! In a day when the hand written letter is something we remember and long for, but seem to never quite find time to write, it's all the more interesting to note the upsurge of popularity of all things related to it. And did you know that, even today in France, the 'valor declare' method of sending a package requires it be wrapped with string and ...
$251 USD SaleSALE Antique French 1700s Billet Doux, Bodkin Case, 10k Gold
Antiques:Desktop Items
The band tests 10k yellow gold, so there is a slight possibility this may not be French, but the old Billet Doux are a French staple of the 1700s, and existed to pass letters, communication between lovers, friends, businesses alike. The note was rolled and inserted, then delivered by courrier. Often associated with the romantic French love note, who knows what clandestine meetings and flirtations this one was privy to in its time. Some would tell you this is a bodkin case, or needles case, but ...
$166 USD SaleSALE Antique Victorian Banded Agate Writer's Wax Seal or Sceau
Antiques:Desktop Items
Wonderful antique Victorian or Napoleon III era banded agate & ormolu writer's wax seal or sceau, a crisp wheel cut handle with unique shape! From a time before postage stamps, or very nearly so, when a letter folded in on itself and was sealed against prying eyes by sealing wax. The impression of the monogram seal was pressed into the hot wax as it cooled, to confirm the sender's seal in place. The note might have held arrangements for a meeting with one's lover or friend, or carry news from ...
$421 USD SaleSALE Antique French Champleve Enamel 8" Inkwell, Lg Oval Shape
Antiques:Desktop Items
Elegant antique French Napoleon III to Belle Epoque era 8" champleve enamel and gilded bronze or brass desk top inkwell, an expansive oval shaped piece with urn style inkwell & original ink pot and in wonderful condition! A must have in our inventory, it seems we can't keep any of these wonderful old champleve inkwells in stock. This one a great find, the size, condition and unique styling all combine to make it one of the most elegant pieces we've had in some time. Often confused with Cloisonne ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Antique French Empire Style Candle Holder Pair, Red Marble
Antiques:Desktop Items
Elegant antique French Napoleon III era Empire style candlestick or candle holder pair, solid red marble columns with gilt ormolu laurel accenting! A pair that would surely work great as garnitures for a fine old Empire style mantel clock, equally impressive displayed alongside a writer's ensemble including inkwell and implements. Of course, they'd also be lovely all by themselves :). Solid red, nearly salmon colored, marble with classical columnar shaping, turned marble bases and foliate ...
$166 USD SaleSALE Antique Banded Agate Writer's Wax Seal, Sceau: Flower Seal
Antiques:Desktop Items
Wonderful antique Victorian or Napoleon III era banded agate & ormolu writer's wax seal or sceau, a crisp wheel cut handle with a solitary rose seal tip! From a time before postage stamps, or very nearly so, when a letter folded in on itself and was sealed against prying eyes by sealing wax. The impression of the monogram seal was pressed into the hot wax as it cooled, to confirm the sender's seal in place. The note might have held arrangements for a meeting with one's lover or friend, or carry ...
$209 USD SaleSALE Antique French Gilt Ormolu Ring Tree, Parrot or Bird Figure
Antiques:Desktop Items
Whimsical & rare antique French Napoleon III era gilt bronze ormolu ring or jewelry 'tree', a wonderful little bedside or boudoir stand in the shape of a perch with parrot at the top, turned base and even a go-to-bed sized candle holder! Lovely decorative pieces but they really do end up being useful, whether you have them in your bath to hold rings & bracelets, etc. while bathing or at the bedside, you simply can't beat them. This one in great shape with a rich gilded finish, footed base and ...
$421 USD SaleSALE Antique Georgian 1700s Shagreen Drafting Tools Etui, Silver
Antiques:Desktop Items
A fabulous and slightly smaller than usual Georgian era (1700s) drafting tools or calipers for measuring maps or ?? A wonderful set with great age, and of interest to architects, engineers, designers, and anyone who loves fine old treasures. The case, itself, is in marvelous condition, heavy larger scale shagreen (shark or stingray leather) that is sturdy and remains unscathed by time. Interior is still lined in the original paper and silks, and has the several sections into which rulers and ...
$336 USD SaleSALE Antique Cut Crystal Double Inkwell & Thermometer Obelisk Set
Antiques:Desktop Items
Very similar to a single obelisk shaped desk top thermometer stand we have available, this one unique and COMPLETE with a black glass base, two cut crystal inkwells AND the thermometer stand obelisk! All in thick, heavy wheel cut glass or crystal, all in great shape and definitely one for the inkwell buffs out there. Great with a collection of cut crystal, electric blue & green glass inkwells and a real value at the price I've set. I was surprised that I didn't see a pictured reference to a ...
$166 USD SaleSALE Antique Napoleon III Writer's Wax Seal or Sceau, Exotic Wood
Antiques:Desktop Items
Elegant & rare antique Napoleon III or Victorian era writer's wax seal or sceau with a beautiful two-toned exotic wood handle and unique full name "W.S. Phillips" monogrammed bronze seal! One of several fabulous old wax seals that we currently have available, this definitely one of the more attractive of the wood handled bunch with its striking two tone or heart wood cut grain pattern and wonderful condition. Large gilt bronze seal tip, elegant scrolling script and perfect for all of you W.S. ...
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Shop Details
Member since Sep 2002
Susan Dean
We have offices in Utah and California. 979 Woodland Pkwy, Ste 168
San Marcos, CA92069
Email only, please: susandean-aut@cox.net
View Location
We have offices in Utah and California. 979 Woodland Pkwy, Ste 168
San Marcos, CA
Email only, please: susandean-aut@cox.net
View Location