antique brass notepad case

This antique French notepad holder borrows from Louis XVI, featuring a symmetrical oval medallion, scrolling foliage, rosettes, and a delicate ribbon crest. The structured, *neoclassical design reflects the 18th and 19th-century French fascination with classical antiquity, blending practicality with timeless ornamentation. Dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, this piece would have been a staple on a well-appointed desk, holding a stack of notepaper for correspondence, memos, or daily notes. Made from brass, it has both a functional weightiness and an aesthetic sophistication, making it as much a decorative object as a practical accessory. It even holds a pen!

Styling Ideas

Elevate your workspace by pairing it with an antique inkwell, letter opener, or leather blotter. Use it in an entry hall to hold small notepads for jotting down reminders or messages, or display it atop a stack of antique books for an elegant vignette. It also makes a thoughtful gift for lovers of Neoclassical design, antique stationery, or elegant desk accessories.

*The Neoclassical Revival, which gained momentum in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was a return to classical design principles inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. The movement’s influence on decorative arts can be seen in the clean lines, balanced proportions, and the use of motifs such as ribbon bows, garlands, and laurel wreaths, all of which were prominent in the Louis XVI period. The revival sought to recapture the elegance and restraint of the earlier era, with a focus on refined ornamentation. While Louis XVI pieces were often grand in scale, the Neoclassical Revival made these motifs accessible in both smaller decorative objects and functional items, bringing timeless beauty into everyday life.

Does not include paper or pen.