Inkwell "a river" F Barbedienne circa 1880

Gilt bronze and red marble Griotte F Barbadian inkwell
Late 19th century, Circa 1880
Composed of a pen box and two ink cups, blue glass interior, framing an allegorical figure representing "A River" after Jean-Jacques Caffieri (1725-1792).
The river is illustrated by a naked old man crowned with reeds, sitting on an urn from which water flows. The left hand leans on an oar, the right hand holds the rim of the urn.
Signed on the side of the bronze F. BARBEDIENNE
The base is finely chiseled with shells and foliage
It rests on four feet.
In very good condition