Details
A gold-mounted memorial paperknife, 19th century
The tapering chalcedony handle with applied chased and engraved decoration depicting scrolls, foliage, architectural details and animals, the scroll finial with concealed locket compartment enclosing a lock of hair of the Lord High Chancellor Eldon's hair, the handle with engraved inscription "John Earl of Eldon, born June 4th 1751, died Jan'y 13th 1838", the silver-gilt blade with engraved foliate decoration, in a fitted case, with manuscript note written by the Earl of Eldon's grandson
The tapering chalcedony handle with applied chased and engraved decoration depicting scrolls, foliage, architectural details and animals, the scroll finial with concealed locket compartment enclosing a lock of hair of the Lord High Chancellor Eldon's hair, the handle with engraved inscription "John Earl of Eldon, born June 4th 1751, died Jan'y 13th 1838", the silver-gilt blade with engraved foliate decoration, in a fitted case, with manuscript note written by the Earl of Eldon's grandson