AN ENGLISH GEORGE IV MICRO-MOSAIC AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE-MOUNTED ORMOLU ENCRIER

The Property of the late NIGEL G.K. CAMPBELL, ESQ. Sold by Order of the Executors (Lots 21-22)

Details

AN ENGLISH GEORGE IV MICRO-MOSAIC AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE-MOUNTED ORMOLU ENCRIER
The square plinth and stepped top with flowerheads and clover leaves to the sides, centred by a lotus-cast lid enclosing a glass well and flanked by quill-wells, the front with plaque depicting the 'Doves of Pliny', flanked by semi-precious stones including White Opals, set in pierced white-metal mounts, the sides with a medallion of flowerheads and the back with an inset plaque with the Royal coat-of-arms, the canted angles with satyr's herms, on bun feet, the micro-mosaic early 19th Century
6½in. (16.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

This inkwell, conceived as an antique altar dedicated to Peace, is embellished in bas-relief with the Royal arms adopted by King George IV (d. 1830) and King William IV (d. 1837), while its cornice is wreathed with the badges of the United Kingdom and a Tudor rose conceals its inkwell. Its sides display bas-reliefs of fruit-and-flower clusters emblematic of Peace and Plenty. The facade incorporates a fine micro-mosiac tablet after the antique mosaic found at Hadrian's villa at Tivoli and known as the 'Doves of Pliny'.

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