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ID #SA1238172
FOR SALE
£1,400
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Poseidon and Amphritrite Inkwell in Bronze
For sale by Cella
for sale €1,638     $1,778
£1,400
Cella

Cella

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2019
Browse dealers 75 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in the grand tour and french decorative objects, clocks and furniture, circa 1780-1880.
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Id #SA1238172
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Poseidon and Amphritrite Inkwell in Bronze

19th century
For Sale by Cella
Description

Fascinating, unusual late 19th century patinated bronze encrier or inkwell depicting Poseidon and Amphritrite figures riding a ketos - a large sea monster in Greek and Roman mythology. Finely cast and chased example with the body of a large dragon turtle and four turtle feet. Sitting on a platform base which in turn sits on a probably later Marmo Verde Antico block base. French or Italian, circa 1890.

Physical Dimensions
Height
14.5cm (5.71")
Width
18.5cm (7.28")
Depth
11.8cm (4.65")
Declaration

Cella has dated this Antique Bronze Mythological Inkwell to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1238172
Dealers Internal Reference
CA1154
Dealers Notes

Based in London, we are dealers in fine decorative antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. We specialise in this era of enlightenment, neoclassicism and the Grand Tour, with its far reaching influence on style and taste in Britain, Continental Europe and beyond: elegance in the age of Napoleon. Our extensive stock covers all aspects of this period and decorative antiques influenced by the period. We constantly source new, beautiful items and upload to our site regularly. We are first and foremost antique collectors with over thirty years of experience; we only buy what we love and we hope you will too. Additional images can be supplied on request. More items are available on our website http://www.cellantiques.co.uk. We ship worldwide.

Description
Fascinating, unusual late 19th century patinated bronze encrier or inkwell depicting Poseidon and Amphritrite figures riding a ketos - a large sea monster in Greek and Roman mythology. Finely cast and chased example with the body of a large dragon turtle and four turtle feet. Sitting on a platform base which in turn sits on a probably later Marmo Verde Antico block base. French or Italian, circa 1890.
Height
14.5cm (5.71")
Width
18.5cm (7.28")
Depth
11.8cm (4.65")
Date of Manufacture

Cella has dated this Antique Bronze Mythological Inkwell to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1238172
Dealers Internal Ref
CA1154
Cella
Cella
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2019

Specialists in the grand tour and french decorative objects, clocks and furniture, circa 1780-1880.

Dealer Profile

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

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A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth.
1 / 6
Archive I A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth.

Poseidon and Amphritrite Inkwell in Bronze

Archive II A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth. View II
Archive III A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth. View III
Archive IV A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth. View IV
Archive V A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth. View V
Archive VI A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Cella

Cella
Telephone 020 8299 4945
Location
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/cellantiques
Verified Since May 2019
Items For Sale 75
Items Sold 304
Cella
Cella
Verified Since May 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/cellantiques
Verified
May 2019
For Sale
75
Sold
304
A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth.
Poseidon and Amphritrite inkwell in bronze
Ref: SA1238172
A dark bronze figural sculpture of Poseidon and Amphitrite resting on a large detailed tortoise, mounted on a green marble rectangular plinth.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectInkwells
  • Period19th century
  • StyleClassical Revival
  • MaterialBronze, Marble
  • ColourDark Brown, Green
  • MotifsMythological figures, Tortoise form, Green marble plinth, Chased drapery
  • SizeH 14.5 cm (6 in) x W 18.5 cm (7 in) x D 11.8 cm (5 in)

This late 19th-century Classical Revival patinated bronze inkwell depicts the mythological figures Poseidon and Amphritrite riding atop a sea monster shaped like a large dragon turtle, which is supported by four smaller tortoise feet on a platform base. The sculpture rests upon a rectangular green marble block base, displaying a dark brown finish across the metal figures and shell, with textured chased drapery around the seated characters and detailed shell patterns. The piece measures 14.5 cm high, 18.5 cm wide, and 11.8 cm deep. Suitable for use in a gentleman's library or office desk, the inkwell serves as a functional writing accessory and sculptural display piece. It functions well on a study desk, writing table, or library bookshelf, bringing classical mythological motifs and detailed bronze work into a traditional interior setting.

FAQs

Mythological inkwells gained prominence during the Renaissance and 19th-century Grand Tour eras, referencing classical Greek and Roman iconography to decorate scholarly writing spaces.

These objects were crafted using the lost-wax or sand-casting methods, after which craftsmen refined surface details by hand chasing prior to mounting the metalwork onto marble bases.

Genuine period bronzes display crisp hand-chased surface details, natural patination variations from handling, and historic mounting hardware beneath the base rather than modern cast seams.

An ornamental bronze inkwell functions well on an executive study desk, a dark wood console table, or arranged amongst leather-bound books on a bookshelf.

Regular dusting with a soft, dry microfibre cloth is recommended, alongside occasional applications of clear microcrystalline wax to preserve the bronze surface without damaging the marble.
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