Boxed gilt bronze letter opener and seal by G A Chenus

Description

Boxed gilt bronze letter opener and seal by G A Chenus. Item 3423.

This boxed set of a letter opener and seal is made of gilt bronze and both pieces are signed by G A Chenus, a French sculptor of the Art Nouveau period. Both pieces are decorated with the leaves and blossoms of an Australian eucalypt tree done with vigour and style. The very fine detail shows the ribs of the leaves and the stamens of the flowers. The seal is decorated on both sides, whilst the paper knife is only decorated on one side. There is a nice touch on the seal where the branch holding a blossom on one side continues over the top to another blossom on the other side. The paper knife is 196 mm (7.75 inches) long and measures 22 mm (7/8ths of an inch) at its widest. The seal, with the base yet to be engraved, stands 80 mm (3.25 inches) high, is 25 mm (1 inch) at its widest and 20 mm (.75 inch) deep. Both pieces are in very good condition but unfortunately the box does show some signs of wear. c1910.