Unusual Artifacts: An Enamel Pencil Holder, Circa 1900

Two-tone Gold and Enamel Pencil Holder
Russian, 1896-1908
The Royal Collection

Made between 1896 and 1908, this beautiful two-tone gold and guilloché enamel was clearly inspired by the work of Fabergé, and was, in fact, made a a Russian artist. The artist was known only by his initials A.R. Little else is known about this master craftsman. His work was sold by the finest shops in Europe and sold for high prices. His initials are visible beneath the enamel.


The enamel is a particularly fine color—a light robin’s egg blue. This was a particularly popular color of the era, and, later, was a favorite color of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother who was often seen wearing the hue. Perhaps it was the soft color of this unusual pencil holder that attracted the Queen Mother to it. On an unknown date, he purchased this lovely little piece ad entered it into the Royal Collection.