Rare 19th Century Russian Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell

Description

An Extremely Rare 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell. The inkwell features a circular base with a faceted crystal insert, framed by an openwork ormolu gallery with a repeating pattern of alternating raised and pierced sections. The outer edge is lined with prong-set, round-cut red gemstones. The base rests on four ormolu paw feet. Two cylindrical crystal inkwells are set within the ormolu framework. Each inkwell has a hand-cut faceted surface with intersecting diamond patterns. The inkwells are encased in ormolu mounts, adorned with vertical bands of bezel-set red gemstones. The removable ormolu lids are decorated with raised relief patterns and topped with small sculpted bird finials. At the center of the structure, a vertical ormolu column rises, featuring a sculpted winged female figure supporting a circular handle. This element is surrounded by additional ormolu mounts, including a small holder with an open ring structure. The combination of ormolu and jeweled elements in Russian objects from this period is rare, with Russian decorative arts being recognized for their exceptional quality in both materials and construction. The presence of cut crystal, ormolu, and inset gemstones in a functional desk object is an uncommon feature. Russia, Circa: 1820

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