Antique Victorian Mother of Pearl Aide Memoire Notebook Pencil Monogram For Sale

Beautiful antique Victorian mother-of-pearl aide-mémoire or pocket memorandum book, dating to approximately 1870–1890.

The front and back are faced with wonderfully iridescent mother-of-pearl panels. The elaborate front incorporates textured geometric decoration, an oval pearl-like border and an ornate applied metal cartouche engraved with a period script monogram.

The natural mother-of-pearl is particularly beautiful, flashing pink, green, blue and gold as the piece moves in the light.

Inside is the original-style blue silk fitted interior with pockets and loops for a writing implement. Its long cream-colored pencil remains with the piece and fits into the loops along the side. The pencil material has not been identified and is not being represented as ivory.

Aide-mémoires were elegant portable notebooks carried during the Victorian period for recording appointments, reminders, engagements and other notes. This unusually decorative example would have been a very personal accessory, personalized with its owner’s monogram.

Approximately 4 inches tall, not including the pencil.

A beautiful Victorian object of vertu combining mother-of-pearl, intricate decoration and the wonderfully personal character of a 19th-century writing accessory.

Condition: Antique condition with substantial age-related wear to the interior. Blue silk is stained, frayed, torn and separated in areas, with exposed underlying material and loose threads. Original paper/notebook contents appear to be missing. Pencil remains present and shows discoloration and wear; functionality has not been tested. Mother-of-pearl covers have scratches, small marks and natural surface irregularities but remain especially attractive and iridescent. Applied monogram decoration has tarnish and wear. Please examine all photographs closely for completeness and condition.