Lovely Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ink Stand

A lovely and complete Empire Ink Stand in Gilt and Patinated Bronze.

This charming traveling inkstand is composed on several pieces.
The lower central covered bowl is beautifully chiseled in Ormolu, and contains the main elements.
Two are ink containers that can be screwed shut while the third is the sand or sawdust containers used to blot out the ink.
Three opening are present enabling one to deposit the writing quills.

This first part screws shut and is topped by three patinated bronze winged lions, holding up the last part of the inkstand.
The top part is a shallow ormolu dish, complete with a rounded lid, which might have been used as a pot pourri.

It is a superb and charming example of traveling items that became the rage at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century.
A lovely collectible!

France 19th Century c.H: 5.50"W: 3"Reference number: R-412