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ID #SA1239576
FOR SALE
£195
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Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil
For sale by In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
for sale €228     $248
£195
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2016
Browse dealers 256 items
  • About Us
    Selling good quality victorian, georgian and earlier furniture, accessories & decorative items. Ashburton, devon. LAPADA member
  • Trade Associations
    In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1239576
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Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil

1900 - 1920
Description

A good example of an antique gold propelling pencil dating from the late 19th / early 20th Century. It is good quality and the outside is beautifully decorated with fine engine turned and engraved foliate scroll decoration. It is fitted with a retractable pencil mechanism and sliding grip which is adorned with turquoise cabochons. It has a carnelian seal set into the end and there is a loop for attaching the pencil to a fob chain.

There are no hallmarks and it would have been common not to mark pieces like this however surface tests indicate 9ct gold. The total weight is 3.16g although this includes the inner workings so is not the weight of the gold.

It is in good condition for its age and it slides smoothly. There are some faint surface marks and a few small dinks but no major damages and it displays well. It has been gently cleaned and polished and is ready for use.

Approximate Dimensions :

Length : 2 1/8” (5.5cm)

The best description comes from the photos so please look at them all carefully and if you have any questions just ask.

Tracked UK Delivery £6

Rest of the world £25

Physical Dimensions
Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Declaration

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors has dated this Victorian Gold Propelling Pencil to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239576
Description
A good example of an antique gold propelling pencil dating from the late 19th / early 20th Century.
“
It is good quality and the outside is beautifully decorated with fine engine turned and engraved foliate scroll decoration.
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

It is fitted with a retractable pencil mechanism and sliding grip which is adorned with turquoise cabochons. It has a carnelian seal set into the end and there is a loop for attaching the pencil to a fob chain.

fig 1. An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.
fig 1. Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil

There are no hallmarks and it would have been common not to mark pieces like this however surface tests indicate 9ct gold. The total weight is 3.16g although this includes the inner workings so is not the weight of the gold.

fig 2. An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.
fig 2. Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil

It is in good condition for its age and it slides smoothly. There are some faint surface marks and a few small dinks but no major damages and it displays well. It has been gently cleaned and polished and is ready for use.

fig 3. An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.
fig 3. Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil

Approximate Dimensions :

Length : 2 1/8” (5.5cm)

The best description comes from the photos so please look at them all carefully and if you have any questions just ask.

Tracked UK Delivery £6

Rest of the world £25

Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Date of Manufacture

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors has dated this Victorian Gold Propelling Pencil to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239576
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2016

Selling good quality victorian, georgian and earlier furniture, accessories & decorative items. Ashburton, devon. LAPADA member

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors Profile Page

Trade Associations

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

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SAVE
An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.
1 / 9
Archive I An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.

Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil

Archive II An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View II
Archive III An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View III
Archive IV An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View IV
Archive V An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View V
Archive VI An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View VI
Archive VII An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View VII
Archive VIII An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View VIII
Archive IX An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors

In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
Telephone 07800 561 203 or 01364 654 648
Location
7 North Street
Ashburton
Devon
TQ13 7QJ
United Kingdom

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/nutshell
Verified Since Aug 2016
Items For Sale 256
Items Sold 3,750
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors
Verified Since Aug 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: 7 North Street, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7QJ, United Kingdom, , Opening hours:, Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/nutshell
Verified
Aug 2016
For Sale
256
Sold
3,750
An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.
Antique Gold and Turquoise Propelling Pencil
Ref: SA1239576
An ornate Victorian gold propelling pencil featuring engraved floral motifs, set with round turquoise cabochons and fitted with a suspension ring.
Detail View 1
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Detail View 3
Detail View 4
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Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPropelling Pencil
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialGold, Turquoise
  • ColourGold, Turquoise Blue
  • MotifsFloral engraving, Turquoise cabochons, Ring suspension loop, Slider mechanism
  • SizeH 5.5 cm (2 in)

This Victorian propelling pencil dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. Fashioned from yellow gold, the item features engraved foliate scroll decoration along the barrel, a sliding grip adorned with round turquoise cabochons, and an ornate figural top with a suspension loop attached near the end. The miniature desk accessory measures 5.5 cm in length and has a retractable pencil mechanism that operates smoothly. Designed for a gentleman's library desk, the piece can sit on a surface or hang from a fob chain by its suspension loop as a decorative antique accessory. The gold surface displays fine engine turning, delicate floral engraving, and a faceted upper terminal with multiple raised mouldings and detailed relief work. The turquoise stones provide a contrasting blue colour against the polished gold body, while faint surface marks and minor dinks reflect its age.

FAQs

Patented in the early nineteenth century, the propelling pencil is a mechanical writing instrument featuring an internal screw or slide mechanism to extend and retract graphite lead. During the Victorian era, these items were crafted as functional decorative accessories often attached to watch chains, chatelaines, or worn as pendants.

Victorian propelling pencils were commonly constructed from yellow gold, gold-fill, sterling silver, or pinchbeck. They frequently incorporated decorative hand-engraving, engine turning, and setting with gemstones such as turquoise, garnet, amethyst, or bloodstone seal tops.

Authentic pieces usually exhibit hand-engraved scrollwork, period hallmarks, or makers marks near the top mechanism or barrel. The extending mechanism should operate via a sliding collar or twist top, and gemstones like turquoise are typically cabochon cut and flush-set or bezel-set into metal bands.

These historical instruments are frequently repurposed as unique pendants worn on modern gold chains or added to charm bracelets. They are also displayed inside glass-topped collector frames or placed alongside vintage desktop accoutrements.

Clean the metal surfaces gently using a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth, taking care to avoid harsh chemical cleaners that can damage soft gemstones like turquoise. Keep the internal mechanical slide free from moisture and excess oil to prevent stiffness or corrosion.
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