Silver Baradelle, Paris, C. 1745

An early small set of mathematical and writing instruments made of silver, fitted with an inkwell at the bottom. The small cylindrical case measures 13.3 cm in height. Constructed of wood but fitted with silver and covered in black leather, it contains small mathematical and writing instruments including: a small compass with a silver point and steel points, a silver folding ruler (half a king's foot), a silver quill, a silver awl, and a silver pencil holder. It should be noted that in this Baradelle set, the instruments are made entirely of silver and not of ebony and silver. This set of mathematical and writing instruments bears a single uniform hallmark, repeated three times: inside the lid of the case, on the compass, and on the folding ruler. The hallmark is the salmon head, that is to say, the discharge hallmark for small gold and silver works in Paris, 1744-1750. There is a small piece of leather missing from the base of the inkwell, and a few silver nails are missing from the case; otherwise, this perfectly uniform set is in fine condition.