Four (4) Grand Tour desk accessories, including bronze magazine holder, busts, and inkstand. 1st item: Intricate, pierced bronze magazine or file holder modeled after Antonio Gai's (Italy, 1686-1769) bronze gates of the Loggetta built by Jacopo Sansovino in St. Mark's Square, Venice, Italy, having hinged front with swivel latches, leather-covered wood backing with bronze flourish corners and mask handle, and foliate scroll feet. Illegible maker's mark to underside. 14 7/8" H x 14 1/2" W x 4" D. Late 19th/Early 20th century. 2nd item: Bronze portrait bust sculpture of Julius Caesar, mounted on a circular, wooden pedestal base. Illegibly inscribed and dated "1830" to underside with additional numbered sticker label. 8" H x 4 3/4" dia. Late 19th/Early 20th century. 3rd item: Bronze portrait bust sculpture of Benjamin Franklin depicting with loose, shoulder-length hair, a period coat, and cravat, titled FRANKLIN in embossed letters along lower front edge and mounted onto a circular, pedestal base. 6 1/4" H x 4 1/8" W x 3 1/2" D. 20th century. 4th item: Victorian iron inkstand with Aesthetic movement foliate and geometric designs having three pen rests; a letter holder with gothic arch design; and two crystal inkpots having lobed body and block cut base with hinged, iron lids. Stamped with illegible mark and patent date "Nov. 25 1879" to underside. 5 1/8" H x 9 3/8" W x 6 1/2" D. Circa 1879.
The collection of a Tennessee institution.
Condition
All items in overall good condition. 1st item: Leather-covered backing with scattered surface scratches and wear, slight warping, splits to wood throughout, and slightly loose in setting. Swivel latches slightly loose. 2nd item: Minor loss measuring 3/8" x 1/8" and scattered flaws in the making. Wooden base with minor splitting. 4th item: Vertical components slightly loose in setting; loss of one arch decoration measuring 3/4" L. One crystal inkpot with surface hairline measuring approximately 1 1/4' L; one inkpot with previous repair and corresponding hairline.