Antique Victorian 1890 Turquoise Gunmetal Pencil Holder

Antique Victorian c.1890 pencil holder set in gunmetal. This rare and unusual piece features one pencil and two coloured pencils in red and blue. Each pencil can be taken out of its case, it can be twisted to reveal the lead. The gold trim it Pinchbeck. The pencils slide into a gunmetal case studded with turquoise stones.

The piece is silky satin smooth to touch, it is matte with turquoise pops of colour, the turquoise is slightly raised which can be felt when handled. It is heavy in weight and beautiful quality.

Gunmetal is a material used in the Victorian era, it is an alloy of copper, tin with a a coating of iron giving it a blue-black satin finish. The piece is marked 'ENGL', which we assume it means it is made in England, which would correspond with other examples. This piece could be worn on a heavy chain for special occasions, it is a real talking piece.

Originally it would have been worn on a chatelaine. A chatelaine was a decorative belt worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain would hold a useful item such as a pencils, perfume bottle, mirror, scissors, watches or keys.  This is a truly unique unusual collectors item or indeed gift for somebody who writes. 

MEASUREMENTS

Length - 8.5cm / 3.3"

Width -1.5cm / 0.5"

Weight - 24.63g

HALLMARKS & MARKS

ENGL, PAT8771

CONDITION

The pencils could be used if the correct lead size was found, it does hold the red lead and pencil lead. The gold trim is very slightly worn in places but is still bright and rosy. The mental casing is in fantastic condition. 

SKU

8116