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Description:
A stunning antique French Napoleon III bookmark / letter opener. Made from gilt bronze there is a flat page marker / letter opener section and a stunning pierced filigree style top. It is incredibly ornate and both are decorated with enamel and set with glass faux gemstones.
This piece may have originally been part of a larger desk set.
Identifying Marks / Makers Marks:Unmarked.
Age / date of manufacture:
c1848-70.
Size:Total length is 5 3/8\" (13.7 cm). The page marker section measures 3 3/4\" (9.5 cm) and is approximately 5/8\" (1.5 cm) across at the widest point of the flat section. The filigree top section measures 2\" (5 cm) x 1\" (2.5 cm) it overlaps the flat section.Condition:In good antique used condition. The gilt bronze is in good condition with only some minor wear on the reverse of the flat section, has some fine surface scuff marks. The wider plain flat page marker section has a gentle bend in it from use. The decorated section is incredibly ornate, I have shown a close up it so show the condition. I have looked at it with a magnifying lens and can see a small section of green enamel missing from the bottom of the green oval at the top. It also looks like both green ovals and the top blue circle may have had tiny applied enamel or glass beads as there is only 1 remaining on both the top circle and the bottom oval, there are just tiny blank dots on the enamel where I believe they may have been. Otherwise it is complete with all the pieces of enamel, glass beads and cut paste glass stones.
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