Antique French Letter Opener

A French letter opener that has apparently spent the better part of a century opening letters.

The blade is carved ivory, long, slim, and pleasantly unhurried. It rises to a crowned collar and an ankh finial, the ancient Egyptian symbol for life. The French loved that motif during their Egyptian Revival years, and it apparently never occurred to anyone that a letter opener didn’t need it.

It has warmed to a soft, creamy tone with a gentle patina from years of handling. That’s the kind of character you can’t fake, though plenty of people try.

It works perfectly well on today’s envelopes. It also does very nicely just lying on a desk looking like it knows something.

Details

• Origin: France
  
• Length: 8.5"
• Condition: Antique, with age-appropriate patina and wear consistent with use