This writing set was produced by Tula master smiths in the late 18th century. It consists of an oval base with bronze sockets for an ink-well, sandbox and a bell, together with a candle-stick in the form of a baluster. The rounded shoulders of the ink-well and sandbox are adorned with garlands of roses, damascened with silver and gilded copper. The sockets for the various items were made of gilded bronze in the form of leaves. The oval tray for pens and the edge of the base are decorated with a wavy pattern of acanthus leaves with spiral tendrils framed top and bottom by faceted steel. Below are open-work garlands of roses intertwined with ribbons. Such a writing set would adorn any interior, even the most exquisite.