19th Century Victorian Malachite and Ormolu-Mounted Inkwell

The ormolu inkwell has a decorative inset turquoise cabochon gemstone with a chain link border, above a chain link base. There is no mistaking the unique quality and design, which is sure to make this set a treasured piece by any discerning collector.
Provenance:
The collection of the late Ronnie Kirkwood and George Dixon.

Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:
Height 8 x width 14 x depth 14

Dimensions in inches:
Height 3 inches x width 5 inches x depth 5 inches

Malachite is an opaque, green banded mineral. It is believed to be a strong protector of children. It protects the wearer from accidents and protects travelers. Malachite has been used to aid success in business and protect against undesirable business associations. It is a stone of balance in relationships.

Malachite is always green, usually in banded tones varying from very dark green to a mellow green. Most malachite comes from Zaire, Chile and Australia.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used malachite for jewelry and ground it to use as eye shadow. It is used in amulets to protect against the evil eye. In the Middle Ages it was used to protect children from witches and other dangers.

Cabochon
In the gemstone world, a cabochon is a stone that is cut with a highly polished, rounded or convex top with no faceting and a flat or slightly domed base. A cabochon may be cut in any shape, though oval is by far the most common. The term comes from the French caboche, meaning knob or small dome. Certain stones are almost always cut “en cabochon”, including opal, turquoise, onyx, moonstone, and star sapphire.