A Charles X Period Paperweight In Patinated And Gilt Bronze, France, Circa 1825.

An elegant Charles X period paperweight in finely chased bronze, combining a deep brown patina with well-preserved original gilding, revealing high-quality craftsmanship. The sculpture depicts a handshake, an emblematic motif of the early 19th century, a symbol of unity, fidelity, and commitment. This iconography, very fashionable during the Restoration, can be interpreted as an evocation of the concord and stability sought after the political upheavals of the Revolution and the Empire. It also reflects the romantic and "troubadour" taste of the Charles X period, nourished by a revisited medieval imagination. The handles are adorned with richly chased cuffs decorated with foliage, demonstrating particularly meticulous bronze work, characteristic of high-quality Parisian production intended for desks and cabinets. The piece rests on its original base of red griotte marble from Campan, sourced from the historic quarries of Campan. This Pyrenean marble, quarried since antiquity and widely used until the 19th century, is prized for its deep red hue, enlivened by natural veins of white calcite, offering a particularly elegant contrast with the patinated and gilded bronze. The base features an old crack, characteristic of this type of marble, which is perfectly stable and undamaged, attesting to the piece's authenticity and age. Dimensions: Width: 12.8 cm Depth: 8.4 cm Height: 7 cm. Good overall condition. Period patina and gilding. A rare and symbolic desk item, typical of the refinement of the Charles X period, combining quality of sculpture, powerful iconography, and the nobility of the materials.