{"product_id":"antique-1893-victorian-hand-painted-floral-writing-portfolio-desk-blotter-pansies","title":"Antique 1893 Victorian Hand-Painted Floral Writing Portfolio Desk Blotter – Pansies","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAntique Victorian Hand-Painted Floral Writing Portfolio \/ Desk Blotter – Dated 1893\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA charming late 19th-century writing portfolio or desk blotter featuring a hand-painted arrangement of colorful pansies on a textured fabric-covered surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior retains its original-style folding writing compartments and ribbon fittings and, most importantly, an old handwritten presentation note reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“From ‘Aunt Jo’\u003cbr\u003eTo ‘Birdie’ on her sixteenth birthday.\u003cbr\u003eIndian Springs, July 16, 1893.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis surviving inscription provides a wonderful personal connection to the Victorian period and dates the portfolio to at least \u003cstrong\u003e1893\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front is decorated with individually painted purple, blue, white, yellow and burgundy pansies surrounded by delicate foliage and expressive decorative brushwork. Dark trim frames both the central panel and outer edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside is also an old label for the \u003cstrong\u003eOld England Hotel and The Belsfield Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England\u003c\/strong\u003e, apparently added during the portfolio's later history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn evocative survivor from the Victorian era combining decorative art, personal history and the culture of handwritten correspondence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for collectors of Victorian writing accessories, antique stationery, floral decorative arts, women's history and 19th-century personal objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAntique condition with substantial age-related wear consistent with a piece dating from the late 19th century.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fabric-covered surfaces show widespread spotting, staining, discoloration, foxing, ink\/paint marks, rubbing and general wear. Edges and corners show losses and fraying. Interior surfaces and ribbon fittings also show age and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hand-painted floral decoration remains attractive and retains good color. The handwritten 1893 presentation note remains attached inside and is legible. An old hotel label is also attached to the interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe piece has \u003cstrong\u003enot been cleaned or restored\u003c\/strong\u003e and is offered with its age-related surfaces and historical additions intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collexcion ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51371322704115,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0847\/0675\/4803\/files\/Carpetadeescritorioantigua.jpg?v=1789568379","url":"https:\/\/collexcion.com\/products\/antique-1893-victorian-hand-painted-floral-writing-portfolio-desk-blotter-pansies","provider":"Collexcion ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}