A sterling silver, gold plated, desk set with moss agate set into each of the three pieces. This is a spectacular and very rare, in fact quite possibly unique, desk set. It comprises of; a letter rack, pen tray and ink blotter. Each piece is made of sterling silver and then plated in yellow gold. This technique is known as vermeil.
Set into each of the three pieces are quite splendid, hand selected, pieces of a gemstone that is known as moss agate. This stone, also known as mocha stone, is a gemstone renowned for the greenish filaments that seem to resemble creeping moss or other vegetation. The alternative name comes from the Arabian city of Mocha in Yemen, which was an ancient source for the gemstone.
Moss agate, like most gemstones, has long been used for personal ornamentation. Some ancient cultures viewed moss agate as a healing stone. During the late 18th century, moss agate was widely regarded as a good luck stone in Britain. Due to the inclusions resembling moss or ferns, moss agate was also viewed as a stone of agriculture amongst gardeners and farmers. It's said European farmers once used to hang moss agate from trees and around the horns of oxen when plowing to encourage successful harvests.
It's no surprise that moss agate's plant-like appearance affects the perceived metaphysical properties of the stone. Moss agate is said to encourage tranquility and emotional balance. Moss agate is the perfect stone for those who experience strong aggression or overly nurturing emotions, helping to balance male and female energies whenever they become too extreme. The calming vibe of moss agate can help bring individuals closer to nature as well, and can bring a sense of focus or patience when we need to disconnect from the chaos of modern society. Making this a very obvious choice to be assembled around the area of a desk, or home office.
Moss agate is associated with the zodiac sign Aquarius, supposedly one of the more social signs that highly values friendship. Moss agate is also associated with the sign of Virgo by bringing these typically analytical minds some much-appreciated calmness.
Moss agate isn't actually moss or technically an agate, but the intriguing mottled patterns of cream, green-grey and black inclusions do have a moss-like appearance. The beautiful green shades ranging from sea green to dark forest green appear to float in the semi-translucent stone. While moss agate isn't strictly an agate because it's not banded, the stone does have the same chemical composition and intriguing patterns of agate. Moss agate is a variety of chalcedony, belonging to the quartz family, and is often found as fragments from weathered volcanic rock formed in fissures or as pebbles rather than in traditional agate layering.
The spreading moss-like dendritic inclusions you see in moss agate are mostly oxides of manganese or iron, and the colors vary depending on trace amounts of minerals or metals present, such as chrome. This choice to set this wonderful gemstone in these pieces is obvious on the letter rack and pen tray in particular where the light can pass through the large pieces and highlight the beauty of these inclusions.
The set was made in London, England, in 1908 during the reign of King Edward VII. This era is known as the Edwardian time and this piece very much typifies the aesthetic from this era. The move away from the perhaps over adorned designs from the Victoria period gave way to a more refined, paired down refinement. The letter rack and pen tray both sit on four reeded bun feet. This fine reeded pattern is also found on the base of the letter rack, and the outer lip of the pen tray. There is a slight Gothic nature to the edging to both the pen tray and rack as well. The blotter is much cleaner and more classical overall, but also sees the reproduction of the reeding around the border and the gorgeous gem set handle.
The set was made for the prestigious silversmith; Alfred Clark. Clark founded his business in 1880 and was listed as a silversmith and manufacturer of fitted travel bags, by appointment to HRH the Prince and Princess of Wales; in 1888 the Prince of Wales ordered a clock to present to the Princess on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary. Clark had several premises in the Mayfair area and moved to 33 New Bond Street in 1903 where he remained until 1916.
The desk set is in exceptional condition throughout. There is no sign of wear to the thick gold plating. All of the hallmarks littered over each of the three pieces are sharp and crisp which illustrates the fact that the set has never seen a polishing wheel. All of the panels of hand selected, cut and set moss agate stones are superb looking, as one would come to expect, and are all perfect. This is a stunning and unique set, the likes of which we have not seen prior.
