19th C. Bronze Rococo Stamp Box With Mythical Hippocampus & Cherub Detailing

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This stunning 19th century stamp box, cast in bronze, features an ornate and unusual portrait of a cherub riding a … Read more This stunning 19th century stamp box, cast in bronze, features an ornate and unusual portrait of a cherub riding a winged hippocampus, a mythical creature that has the upper body of a horse and the tail of a fish or dolphin. The hippocampus in this depiction has long, flowing fins that more closely resemble wings. The cherub mounted on his back wears a top hat, a symbol of his authority over the beast and, perhaps, wealth. The box sits upon four Louis XV style curved cabriole legs. The box opens up to three evenly separated slots which, historically, were used to store stamps. The curved bottom of the box allowed for stamps to slide out of the box easily. The backside of the box also has two sets of markings: PEG and 985, almost certainly the initials of the maker/manufacturer and a stock item number or serial number. See less