French Empire Ormolu Mounted Inkwell w/ Porcelain Plaque of Alexander Mosaic

Description

Early 19th C. French Empire Ormolu Mounted Inkwell with Porcelain Plaque of the Alexander Mosaic. This French ormolu mounted inkwell is of rectangular form and is centered by a porcelain plaque depicting the Alexander Mosaic, showing Alexander the Great advancing into battle in a chariot surrounded by cavalry, infantry, horses, shields, and raised spears. The plaque is enclosed within a geometric border and surrounded by a porcelain surface decorated with raised gilt scrolling ornament. Five smaller porcelain reserves frame the central scene, including oval medallions with classical figures against cobalt blue grounds, vertical portrait medallions at each side, and a central octagonal reserve with a mythological figure. Pierced ormolu galleries with Gothic inspired arches and foliate tracery surround the perimeter. The four corner inkwells are fitted with hinged ormolu lids decorated with scrolling foliage and acorn finials. The base is supported on four substantial ormolu paw feet with acanthus leaf carving, while the gilt surface retains chased decoration throughout the mounts. This inkwell is French and combines porcelain painting with cast and chased ormolu mounts typical of luxury desk accessories produced during the nineteenth century. The central porcelain plaque reproduces the celebrated Alexander Mosaic discovered at Pompeii, while the surrounding painted reserves depict classical figures consistent with Neoclassical decorative themes. The ormolu framework is assembled around the porcelain panels, with the hinged corner covers serving as inkwell compartments. The quality of the chasing is evident throughout the pierced galleries, foliate borders, and sculptural feet. French workshops producing mounted porcelain objects specialized in combining hand painted porcelain with fire gilt bronze mounts for decorative furnishings and writing accessories. This example incorporates multiple porcelain panels within a unified ormolu framework, requiring each reserve to be fitted precisely within the cast mounts. The pierced gallery, chased ornament, hinged covers, and cast paw feet demonstrate the complex metalwork associated with high quality French ormolu production during the nineteenth century. Dimensions: 3.5" Height 11" Width 8.5" Depth

Details

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