Miscellaneous> 1800 > Pen-holder made from mahogany, rosewood and gilded bronze, France, late 19th/early 20th century.
Pen-holder made from mahogany, rosewood and gilded bronze, France, late 19th/early 20th century.
Description:This pen-holder, designed more as a decorative piece than as a practical device, was carved from a single piece of mahogany before the addition of a rosewood and blond mahogany veneer. The alternation in the types of wood used, and their relative positioning, endow the surface with a range of colors and undertones. The line of the pen-holder is emphasized by gilded metal profiling that highlights its shape. A laurel tree, made by "lost wax" casting followed by gilding, depicts leaves and berries, and even takes advantage of the veining and the knots in the wood to appear naturalistic. It is placed in the center to symbolize the glory and fame of the intellectual arts. On the right edge, there is a hook on which to hang a pocket watch.
