French Sterling Silver Holly Chatelaine Pendant Slide Pencil Victorian Christmas
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:536834 | Brand: Unknown |
| Style: Victorian | Age: 1900-1940 |
| Pattern: Holly | Type: Chatelaine Pencil |
ABOUT: As you can see from my store, I love Christmas so I list quite a few holly and mistletoe pieces. Similar to the mistletoe one I have listed, I also have this holly motif antique French solid silver Victorian chatelaine pencil. It has raised holly berries and leaves. It is a very detailed piece with art nouveau styling and would be beautiful on a chain as a pendant. This is an antique piece dating to the turn of the century / Art Nouveau era. It has a... button on the side that you slide up and down to retract the pencil (it is difficult to retract, see notes below).Please note the chain is not included but is shown to demonstrate wearing options.Comes with the original pencil which is short but has a little lead remaining.NO MONOGRAMS on it.The piece alone with the pencil down inside it not adding to the length measures about 3 1/4 inches in length with the loop / bale extended. MARKS:The piece is marked with the French boars head mark for small solid silver items, I tried to show this in photos. There may also be a silversmith punch but I am unsure of the maker.IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned with some age to them so they are in estate condition. IMPORTANT NOTE: The pencil is very difficult to extend and retract. I can get it to slide part of the way but need my husbands help to get the pencil completely extended or completely nested back in the case. I think it is due to a slight bend in the chamber which I tried to show in photos. Perhaps this could be straightened out or oiled but please note that it moves with difficulty and needs some VERY firm pressure to slide.I only see one pinhead ding on the smooth area of the cover by the loop and some stubborn tarnish spots here and there. Also has some surface wear and scratching / nicks from use and polishing over the years but the holly designs are nice and crisp. As mentioned above, I can see an area in the middle where it is slightly bent. Other than that it has held its shape pretty well.But Please note this piece is not in mint condition. And again please note the difficulty in expanding and contracting it. Has been lightly hand polished and could have some tarnish removed further, but I like to leave patina so the high relief designs really stand out so I will leave the rest to the buyer. I have many more pieces of sterling flatware listed so please see my other auctions and create a set!SHIPPING:I ship internationally using the Global Shipping Program and due to the high cost of shipping, I don't allow returns so please see photos and condition notes closely!I dearly love, collect, use and sell antique American sterling silver flatware and housewares including Tiffany and Co., Gorham, Durgin, Shiebler and more! I would be delighted if you'd follow me in my new store. Thanks for stopping by!Georg Jensen, “the father of Scandinavian Silver, ” on the occasion of his 60th birthday remarked, “Silver is the best material we have. The character of silver is satisfactorily obstinate, it has to be conquered – and then it has the wonderful moonlight luster. [It] can seem like twilight, or, when it dews over, like ground mist rising.” I COULDN'T AGREE MORE : )
