Elegant paperweight in the Louis XVI style.

Marble, fire-gilded bronze. Narrow, elongated rectangular base with beveled edges. Centrally mounted is the fully sculpted representation of an intertwined snake, biting its own tail. The underside is covered in green velvet. On top are two old inventory labels: "Kgl. Marienburg. Haupt-Inventar. Inv.-No. 955/2." and "2211. H. 9 cm. 7 cm x 33 cm." Provenance: Royal House of Hanover, Auction "The Royal House of Hanover/Das Königshaus von Hannover", Sotheby's, Schloss Marienburg, 5-15 October 2005, under additional lots: Lot 5316/9. An elegant French Louis XVI style gilt bronze and marble paperweight with a snake. With old inventory labels and numbers. France. 19th century.