Writing Instrument Handle Appraisal

Vintage Guilloche Enamel Dip Pen Handle with Silver Finial

This item appears to be the handle and a separate finial component of a vintage dip pen. The handle is primarily constructed from metal, likely sterling silver or a silver alloy, beneath a vibrant blue guilloche enamel. The guilloche pattern is a wave-like or wavy-line design, creating a textured and shimmering effect beneath the translucent enamel. The enamel exhibits significant areas of loss and chipping, particularly around the tip of the handle and a prominent chip on the side, revealing the underlying metal. The metalwork at the very end of the handle, where the nib holder would typically attach, shows noticeable tarnishing and some minor pitting or surface irregularities. The separate finial component is also made of a silver-colored metal, heavily tarnished, and features a series of concentric rings and a bulbous, spherical section. It terminates in a threaded post, suggesting it was designed to screw into or onto another part of the pen, likely the top of the handle itself. The overall condition suggests considerable age and use, indicative of an item from the late 19th or early 20th century. The intricate guilloche work points to a degree of craftsmanship often associated with higher-end writing implements of that era. Despite the enamel damage, the visible portions of the patterned surface still convey a sense of its original aesthetic appeal. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures in the provided images, but the material and construction suggest quality typical of fine writing instruments.