French Art Nouveau Duke's Crown ND Silver-Plated Three-Piece Desk Set - With Original Box

French Art Nouveau Duke's Crown ND Silver-Plated Three-Piece Desk Set (Original Box) A sumptuously ornate antique desk set, featuring a dip pen holder, a letter opener, and a wax seal. Each piece is adorned with exquisite engravings, with subtle yet distinct variations across the three items. The letter opener showcases beautiful Art Nouveau botanical curves, while the dip pen holder is richly decorated with fleur-de-lis motifs—a symbol of French royalty. Both the dip pen holder and the letter opener's blade bear a ducal crown emblem marked 'ND'. The wax seal lacks the ducal crown, but its imprint features a lowercase Gothic 'nd'. This desk set is exceptionally unique, reflecting the changing times. In the late 19th century, after the empire's collapse, French nobility became merely symbolic. This set vividly conveys that transition: the enduring symbols of royal authority on personal writing instruments like the letter opener and dip pen contrast with the wax seal used for correspondence, which bears a discreet lowercase 'nd' without any royal insignia. Viewed separately, the pieces might seem unrelated, but together, their interconnected designs—where motifs subtly echo and intertwine—reveal their cohesive nature. A truly special antique, worthy of collection. Dimensions: Box: 22.3cm Dip Pen Holder: 18cm Letter Opener: 18.5cm Wax Seal: 6.5cm All items are functional. The letter opener's blade has a straight incised line on both sides near the base, appearing to be a maker's mark. Otherwise, the condition is generally good. As with all antique items, there are inevitable signs of historical craftsmanship. Please consider this before purchasing.