{"product_id":"french-ormolu-string-holder-louis-xvi-revival-circa-1880","title":"*RESERVED* Antique French Ormolu String Holder","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"[content-visibility:auto] [contain-intrinsic-size:auto_400px] px-2 -mx-2 pb-8 -mb-8 print:[content-visibility:visible]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"contents\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-6 group\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-col items-end gap-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex justify-start opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 group-focus-within:opacity-100 pointer-coarse:opacity-100 transition\" role=\"group\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-text-300\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-text-300 flex items-stretch justify-between\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eA French or Continental string holder in ormolu-mounted leather, the cylindrical body covered in deep burgundy leather and encased in layered fire-gilt bronze mounts arranged in discrete horizontal zones: a beaded base ring, a garland-and-bow frieze with pendant husks, a beaded mid-border, an open arabesque fretwork band through which the leather ground is visible, a plain collar, and a lift-off lid centered with a floral rosette medallion and beaded edge. The ornamental vocabulary is Louis XVI Revival throughout: ribbon-tied garlands, acanthus scrolls, and neoclassical husks executed in cast ormolu of good weight and definition. The friction-fit lid lifts free to allow reloading; the original ball of twine remains inside, still threaded through the scroll-form wire dispensing loop on the lid, undisturbed since the piece was last in active use. A scratched inventory notation on the base suggests the piece passed through an estate or collection at some point in its history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Type | String holder (ficelle holder)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Material | Burgundy leather body with fire-gilt ormolu mounts; gilt brass interior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Origin | France or Continental Europe\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Age | Circa 1870 to 1890, Louis XVI Revival period\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Style | Louis XVI Revival, Third Republic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Size | 3 in H x 3.25 in diameter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Lid | Friction-fit lift-off, original\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Contents | Ball of twine present, threaded through lid aperture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Provenance | Scratched estate inventory notation on base (B \/ 8 \/ 10 \/ 11)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[condition]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eGood antique condition with honest age-appropriate wear throughout. The ormolu mounts retain their original fire gilding with a warm natural patina that has developed evenly across all zones. The casting definition is good, with the garland, bow, and arabesque ornament reading crisply. No visible losses to the mounts or evidence of re-gilding. The burgundy leather body is intact and visible through the open fretwork of the upper band, showing the color and surface variation consistent with age. The gilt brass interior shows light oxidation and age spotting consistent with long use, with no damage to the vessel itself. The friction-fit lid seats correctly and lifts cleanly. Overall a presentable and structurally sound example with the exceptional distinction of retaining its original contents.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie Design","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51432761262358,"sku":"AMD-03146","price":475.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/June_Enland_2026-2723.jpg?v=1781629262","url":"https:\/\/austyn-marie-design.myshopify.com\/products\/french-ormolu-string-holder-louis-xvi-revival-circa-1880","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}