Signature on bronze inkstand

Hi folks,

Struggling with the siggy on this French bronze and marble ink stand, tried lots of combinations but can't get a match. Any ideas? Ty.

 

C. Bonnot. C for Claude. Above the signature I think I can also see writing - starting with a B then 3rd letter y ***, but because of Covid I am about two years out of date with my eye test. So I could be wasting your time. It;s rather nice.

 

Tell me about it, eye test, dentist. And maybe a few more years stuck at home.

 

Many thanks, I can't find any reference to bronze with that name though sadly.

 

Could that possibly say "Fr Bonnot"???? Tried darkening & enhancing, but not everything....it just looks like a sort of Script 'F' to me in front and am guessing at the 'r'.......may also be something small in front of the F, but so far can't quite make it out!

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Just found a possibility, Marcel Bonnot - known for Deco car mascots, not too similar stylistically, but the nearest I have got so far - any thoughts on that name?

 

With multiple searches, so far, I'm just coming up with the painter, Leon Bonnot.... not much help.....your guy did nice work, so he should show up....befuddled!!!!!

 

I went down the same path/rabbit hole.

 

“A Bonnot? (French 19th century), a brown patinated bronze inkwell, cast with fruiting branches, hinged cover, rosso antico marble base, 23.5cm wide, c.1890”
https://www.easyliveauction.com/cat...&utm_campaign=barnebys&utm_content=2022-05-05

Looks like you are not alone in your confusion.

 

This appears to be the OP's identical item. Compare the grain in the marble.

 

I’m pretty much positive you’re right.

 

I think the something small in front of the "F" may just be a curl to start the long underline.

 

I love it. I like the way the space to lay your pen has flower petals to keep it from rolling off. At least I am guessing that is what that blank space is for.