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ID #SA1201541
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£575
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Magnificent Grand Tour Brass Rococo Revival Letter Rack – Circa 1860
For sale by Kingsdown Antiques
for sale €673     $730
£575
Kingsdown Antiques

Kingsdown Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2015
Browse dealers 257 items
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Id #SA1201541
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Magnificent Grand Tour Brass Rococo Revival Letter Rack – Circa 1860

19th century
Description

A superb and richly cast brass letter rack, dating to the mid-19th century and most likely produced in Italy for the Grand Tour market. This opulent desk accessory is a fine example of Rococo Revival styling, characterised by its deeply sculpted openwork ornament and classical influences — ideal for display in a refined writing room or study.

Crafted with the flamboyant flair typical of Italian Grand Tour pieces, the letter rack features highly decorative pierced panels adorned with scrolling foliage, acanthus flourishes, fruiting vines, and stylised grotesques. These motifs draw inspiration from Baroque and Renaissance art, reinterpreted in the exuberant Rococo style popular among Grand Tour travellers.

The three-tiered compartments are fitted with removable dividers, allowing for practical use while showcasing ornate castwork on both front and back panels. It stands on finely modelled scroll feet and is finished with a twisted rope border along the base – circa 1860.

Measurements:

Height: 8 1/2" (approx. 21.5cm)

Width: 13" (approx. 33cm)

Depth: 5" (approx. 12.5cm)

Total weight: 3128g

Presented in excellent antique condition. The original brass has mellowed beautifully, with gentle wear to raised areas. All compartments and panels are complete and functional.

Date of Manufacture

Kingsdown Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Letter Rack to the 1860s.

Independent Date Guide ID 09410787
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques Date1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 135-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1860s:
Pierced Rococo scrollwork and grotesque figures: decorative casting popular in the mid-Victorian period.
Dark patina and verdigris in the recesses: natural age to brass over many decades.
Raised details worn smooth and bright: many years of handling and dusting.
Heavy unpolished reverse panel: typical foundry finishing on Victorian decorative brassware.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
21.5cm (8.46")
Width
33cm (12.99")
Depth
12.5cm (4.92")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1201541
Dealers Internal Reference
KD53056
Dealers Notes

FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

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If you would like to see our full collection, pay via bank card or purchase multiple items at once, please visit our website at www.kingsdownantiques.com

Please note that we are often out sourcing items during the day, so email is the quickest way to reach us. We aim to reply promptly. If you do call and we are unable to answer, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

We are a father and son antiques business with over 40 years of experience. We love what we do and we hope you will love it too.

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Description
A superb and richly cast brass letter rack, dating to the mid-19th century and most likely produced in Italy for the Grand Tour market. This opulent desk accessory is a fine example of Rococo Revival styling, characterised by its deeply sculpted openwork ornament and classical influences — ideal for display in a refined writing room or study.

Crafted with the flamboyant flair typical of Italian Grand Tour pieces, the letter rack features highly decorative pierced panels adorned with scrolling foliage, acanthus flourishes, fruiting vines, and stylised grotesques.

“
These motifs draw inspiration from Baroque and Renaissance art, reinterpreted in the exuberant Rococo style popular among Grand Tour travellers.
Kingsdown Antiques
fig 1. A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting.
fig 1. Magnificent Grand Tour Brass Rococo Revival Letter Rack – Circa 1860

The three-tiered compartments are fitted with removable dividers, allowing for practical use while showcasing ornate castwork on both front and back panels. It stands on finely modelled scroll feet and is finished with a twisted rope border along the base – circa 1860.

fig 2. A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting.
fig 2. Magnificent Grand Tour Brass Rococo Revival Letter Rack – Circa 1860

Measurements:

Height: 8 1/2" (approx. 21.5cm)

Width: 13" (approx. 33cm)

Depth: 5" (approx. 12.5cm)

Total weight: 3128g

Presented in excellent antique condition. The original brass has mellowed beautifully, with gentle wear to raised areas. All compartments and panels are complete and functional.

Date of Manufacture

Kingsdown Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Letter Rack to the 1860s.

Independent Date Report ID 09410787
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques dating1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 135-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1860s:
Pierced Rococo scrollwork and grotesque figures: decorative casting popular in the mid-Victorian period.
Dark patina and verdigris in the recesses: natural age to brass over many decades.
Raised details worn smooth and bright: many years of handling and dusting.
Heavy unpolished reverse panel: typical foundry finishing on Victorian decorative brassware.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
21.5cm (8.46")
Width
33cm (12.99")
Depth
12.5cm (4.92")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1201541
Dealers Internal Ref
KD53056
Kingsdown Antiques
Kingsdown Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2015

Trustworthy reliable professional. Free UK & worldwide shipping

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Kingsdown Antiques Profile Page

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A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting.
1 / 12
Archive I A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting.

Magnificent Grand Tour Brass Rococo Revival Letter Rack – Circa 1860

Archive II A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View II
Archive III A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View III
Archive IV A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View IV
Archive V A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View V
Archive VI A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View VI
Archive VII A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View VII
Archive VIII A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View VIII
Archive IX A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View IX
Archive X A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View X
Archive XI A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View XI
Archive XII A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Kingsdown Antiques

Kingsdown Antiques
Telephone 07402 643497
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/denby
Verified Since Jun 2015
Items For Sale 257
Items Sold 3,053
Kingsdown Antiques
Kingsdown Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/denby
Verified
Jun 2015
For Sale
257
Sold
3,053
A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting.
Magnificent Grand Tour Brass Rococo Revival Letter Rack – circa 1860
Ref: SA1201541
A cast brass Rococo Revival letter rack featuring three tiered compartments with intricate pierced scrollwork and foliate cresting.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesk Accessories
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRococo Revival
  • MaterialBrass
  • ColourWarm Brass
  • MotifsAcanthus leaf scrollwork, Pierced openwork, Tiered compartments, Rope-twist border
  • SizeH 21.5 cm (8 in) x W 33 cm (13 in) x D 12.5 cm (5 in)

This mid-nineteenth century letter rack originates from the Rococo Revival period and functions as a desk accessory. Formed from brass with a warm brass finish, the object displays cast acanthus leaf scrollwork, pierced openwork, tiered compartments, and a rope-twist border. Details visible in the piece include scrolling foliage, fruiting vines, stylised grotesques, removable dividers, and modelled scroll feet. The dimensions measure 21.5 cm high, 33 cm wide, and 12.5 cm deep. Suitable for placement on an office desk within a gentleman's library or study, the organiser holds correspondence and writing papers. The tiered structure creates three separate storage sections for sorting mail, while the openwork panels allow visibility of the contents. The piece stands independently on flat surfaces and functions as a desk tidy.

FAQs

Popularised during the mid-19th century, Rococo Revival letter racks are decorative desk accessories designed with elaborate asymmetrical curves, foliate motifs, and pierced openwork inspired by 18th-century French design.

These desk accessories were typically cast in solid brass, featuring hand-chased surface details and pierced openwork panels that were often finished with lacquer or protective gilding.

Authentic period examples demonstrate substantial physical weight, natural oxidisation in low-relief areas, detailed hand-finishing along the cast edges, and period-appropriate assembly screws beneath the base.

Position the piece on a modern executive desk, sideboard, or hallway console table to organise correspondence, post, or stationery while introducing warm metallic texture.

Dust regularly using a dry, soft-bristled brush to clear intricate pierced scrollwork, and avoid aggressive metal polishes that remove historic surface patina.
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