Antique WW1 Era Marble & Brass Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry Paperweight - Unusual
Item History & Price
Antique WW1 Era Marble & BrassRoyal First Devon Yeomanry Paperweight
~Welcome to my auction for this very unusual world war one era military paperweight~
I've sold a few antique military paperweights in the past and they've all been cast brass examples or glass ones containing cap badges or buttons.This example appears to be made of a turned piece of cream coloured marble with a perfectly contoured brass cap applied to the top centre.
The insignia is that of the 1st Royal ...Devon Yeomanry - the central boss is modelled on the cap badge or button insignia of the regiment, this domed boss looks like a button, but at 3.4cm wide it's too big to be a tunic button so I can only conclude it must of been specially made for the purpose.
The main body of the piece is made from appears to be a domed piece of cream marble - most of the base is darker in colour and there are natural striations running through the stone.At over half a kilo the stone is heavy for its size - it is also cold to the touch and doesn't have the glossy appearance of lookalike stones, more of matt lustre to the surface.
As can be seen in the pictures there is an old collectors label attached to the bottom - I acquired this and another piece (listed separately) from a gentleman's old collection - naturally this can easily be removed if desired.
It's difficult to precisely date this piece - the insignia used matches that used in the early 20th century - the wear, polishing and patina to the brass suggests a good age, plus the normal wear to the base where is has been constantly moved across a desk is also consistent with a good degree of age - from 1920 the regiment was amalgamated and essentially became part of the R.F.A. and henceforth there was a change in insignia.It certainly would pre-date 1920 but could be as early as 1902 on account of the Kings crown motif used.
I can only speculate exactly why this item was made - it seems to be too good to class it as 'trench art' - I can imagine it was made perhaps for an officer of the regiment and it sat on his desk weighing down piles of paperwork.
The weight measures approximately 9cm across and is approximately 4.5cm in height - the total unpacked weight is 515.7g.
The condition of the item all round is good with no faults to report - the brass elements have a good colour and patina and there are traces old polish in amongst the design where it has been cleaned over many years.In the first and last image you'll notice a darker line crossing over one edge of the marble - please not this is not a crack, it's smooth to the touch and just appears to be a natural striation to the stone.The whole piece is very tactile and most unusual - it would make a good desk ornament for a military enthusiast, especially if you have an interest in Devon's military heritage.
Please study the images provided to satisfy yourself as to the condition of the item - if you have any further questions please ask and I'll be happy to oblige.
Postage to U.K. addresses is £4.45 (signed for) - postage to international addresses is £16.95 (tracked / signed for).
Thanks for looking!
~Welcome to my auction for this very unusual world war one era military paperweight~
I've sold a few antique military paperweights in the past and they've all been cast brass examples or glass ones containing cap badges or buttons.This example appears to be made of a turned piece of cream coloured marble with a perfectly contoured brass cap applied to the top centre.
The insignia is that of the 1st Royal ...Devon Yeomanry - the central boss is modelled on the cap badge or button insignia of the regiment, this domed boss looks like a button, but at 3.4cm wide it's too big to be a tunic button so I can only conclude it must of been specially made for the purpose.
The main body of the piece is made from appears to be a domed piece of cream marble - most of the base is darker in colour and there are natural striations running through the stone.At over half a kilo the stone is heavy for its size - it is also cold to the touch and doesn't have the glossy appearance of lookalike stones, more of matt lustre to the surface.
As can be seen in the pictures there is an old collectors label attached to the bottom - I acquired this and another piece (listed separately) from a gentleman's old collection - naturally this can easily be removed if desired.
It's difficult to precisely date this piece - the insignia used matches that used in the early 20th century - the wear, polishing and patina to the brass suggests a good age, plus the normal wear to the base where is has been constantly moved across a desk is also consistent with a good degree of age - from 1920 the regiment was amalgamated and essentially became part of the R.F.A. and henceforth there was a change in insignia.It certainly would pre-date 1920 but could be as early as 1902 on account of the Kings crown motif used.
I can only speculate exactly why this item was made - it seems to be too good to class it as 'trench art' - I can imagine it was made perhaps for an officer of the regiment and it sat on his desk weighing down piles of paperwork.
The weight measures approximately 9cm across and is approximately 4.5cm in height - the total unpacked weight is 515.7g.
The condition of the item all round is good with no faults to report - the brass elements have a good colour and patina and there are traces old polish in amongst the design where it has been cleaned over many years.In the first and last image you'll notice a darker line crossing over one edge of the marble - please not this is not a crack, it's smooth to the touch and just appears to be a natural striation to the stone.The whole piece is very tactile and most unusual - it would make a good desk ornament for a military enthusiast, especially if you have an interest in Devon's military heritage.
Please study the images provided to satisfy yourself as to the condition of the item - if you have any further questions please ask and I'll be happy to oblige.
Postage to U.K. addresses is £4.45 (signed for) - postage to international addresses is £16.95 (tracked / signed for).
Thanks for looking!
