Anchor-Shaped Inkwell from Orfear, 1890s

Details

Description

An exceptional piece: this anchor-shaped inkwell, mounted on a stand (for tilting). It bears the Orfear, Paris signature mark on … Read more An exceptional piece: this anchor-shaped inkwell, mounted on a stand (for tilting). It bears the Orfear, Paris signature mark on the underside of the inkwell; Orfear was a manufacturer specializing in high-quality office supplies and metal objects.

An object rich in symbolism linked to the French Foreign Legion and the Navy.
The spelter stand is shaped like an anchor with rope.

The illustration on the lid is one of the rare pieces, featuring a photograph under glass depicting the entrance to a barracks with two legionnaires on duty in period dress uniform (dark tunic, light trousers, kepi). The words "Légion étrangère" (Foreign Legion) are written in a fine, slanted cursive script, and below the image are the words "caserne Vienot" (Vienot Barracks), the historical home of the Legion in Algeria at that time, and the name "Perrégaux," typical of the French Foreign Legion's colonial golden age (1900-1939). The numbers ".912" for 1912 are also still legible.

Due to its age, the illustration has some orange stains.

The inkwell is a small, removable, faceted glass bottle with a hinged lid.
Height: 13.5 cm, Width: 8 cm, 5 cm deep This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less