Thread: carved ivory John Bingham x Mottram straight razors w/ elaborate pique work

This offering of straight razors and related items is from the collection of Claude Rondeau with additions.

Claude Rondeau, who lived in France, collected fancy and unusual straight razors for over 40 years. I, Robert Doyle, met him when he visited my home in 1984 to view my collection. While he purchased some unique pieces from me over the years, he primarily assembled his collection in France. As this offering will attest, he sought the rare and unusual. French made straight razors are quite rare in the U.S. and very hard to find. One unique feature is the wooden slide top cases that house some of his straight razors. A good number of these rarities are offered in this auction. He also collected many rare genuine ivory handled 19thC examples - many one of a kind.

Item Details:
Two very ornate carved ivory handled straight razors with elaborate pique work patterns in a slide top strop top wood case. C-1825-35. 1. John Bingham with top of blade stamped “Old English.” 2. Illegible above “Cast Steel” with stamped “G. Crown R.” (G(crown)R stamped on tang dates to King George, 1760-1830). Pique Work: Note: Pique work was the art of inlaying tiny silver pins, by hand, into the predrilled holes of the pattern. It was a cottage industry done in homes around the manufacturing city of Sheffield. This artistry was popular from about 1820-1840's. Pique work was performed on horn, pearl, tortoise shell, ivory and bone. You will not find two identical pieces. Even the pins are set by hand so they are not even in height. Both beautiful patterns surround escutcheon plates. Note damage in photos.

Thanks

Cheetah

These are gorgeous, Cheetah-Did you win another big auction?!

I wish..lol No it was just these 2 razors this time.

2 side notes though:
1. The guy Robert Doyle..is probably the same guy that wrote the book that I got in the huge vintage lot that I recently won.
2. these were in a dark wood box at some point in their life (but was not a part of this collection unfortunately)

I was poking around the workshop section of the forum yesterday to see what I could learn about scales...since these obviously need some work. I didn't find a whole lot about ivory but I did garner a whole respect for those who make scale. I read through karlej's post on how he makes scales. It was a great read.

Those are really nice finds. I haven't seen pique work before, really incredible. It shows what you can accomplish when you're not watching TV or surfing the net on your phone.

Originally Posted by JellyJar

Those are really nice finds. I haven't seen pique work before, really incredible. It shows what you can accomplish when you're not watching TV or surfing the net on your phone.

True true, i wonder what were the "objects" of procrastination back in the 1800's

Just amazing. Amazing.

And I thought I had it bad - you make me look like a piker. For your recent spate of high-quality acquisitions - all due respect sir!

Originally Posted by FatboySlim

Just amazing. Amazing.

And I thought I had it bad - you make me look like a piker. For your recent spate of high-quality acquisitions - all due respect sir!

Thank you kind sir. Sometimes I just get lucky.

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

....
2 side notes though:
1. The guy Robert Doyle..is probably the same guy that wrote the book that I got in the huge vintage lot that I recently won....

You mean this book?

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

You mean this book?

That is the one

Razors like this are interesting. The holes are not drilled all the way through. Such tiny holes...
Neil Miller said they used young girls to perform the task....Best eyes!

2 ivories and 2 bones.