Looking for something RARE? This late 1800s, early 1900s French mail holder and ink well, featuring a hand-painted sailing ship, is it. The style is called Rocaille, meaning a mix of stone and seashells. The inkwell is built on a scallop shell. The other shells provide support for the mail—an antique souvenir from the seaside.
This remarkable piece of early 20th-century seaside folk art, often crafted by mariners and coastal artisans, dates back to the Edwardian or interwar years. It features a glass inkwell set into a richly textured base made from natural shells and crushed coral. Large scallop shells form a dramatic backdrop to the prominent shell, which displays a hand-painted steamship scene in a classic folk-art style.
The painted vessel captures the essence of early ocean travel, complete with billowing sales. It reflects a time when sailing ships traversed the seas for global travel and commerce. Many retired sailors or those displaced by the shift from sail to steam turned to crafting items like this to earn a living. At the same time, as tourism grew, they began selling souvenirs at coastal ports and resorts, as well as to steamship passengers.
The inkwell itself features a fluted glass base and a metal flip lid. The combination of materials and design evokes the handmade charm and nautical heritage of a bygone era. This captivating souvenir serves as a striking example of early 20th-century seaside folk art.
Measuring 5" x 3" x 2.5".
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