A Small French Louis XV Style Carved Marble and Gilt Bronze Letter Carrier, 20th C.

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A wonderful accessory for any office, desk, or writing table, this French marble letter carrier from the 1900s has three … Read more A wonderful accessory for any office, desk, or writing table, this French marble letter carrier from the 1900s has three gilt bronze guides in the style of Louis XV. Each of the guides has a foliate crest with a floral finial that hangs down from the shaped top. Additional leaf tips adorn the incurving sides of the guides, which are arranged in a graduated stance that creates slots that accommodate different-sized envelopes. The smallest guide, which is in front, is also embellished with a large, asymmetrical leaf. Beneath the bright ormolu guides is a shapely base, hand-carved in marbre vert de maurin, which is a jade-colored marble with light green veining. This marble would have been quarried in the French Alps, near the Italian border. Two thin layers of cavetto over quarter-round molding enhance the curvaceous shape of the base, which is supported by four small toupie feet. Our small letter carrier can be used to hold outgoing mail, stationery, or any form of paper, although most will use it decoratively. See less