This is an extremely rare limited edition paperweight - made by Philip Chaplain.
It is from a limited edition of only 150 and issued by the Caithness Collector's Club.
This one is No. 59.
It comes with its certificate which gives the following description for this fine weight: "Whosoever pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil, is the true born King of all England".
So obviously it shows the famous episode where King Arthur comes across the sword in the stone - and is the only person in the Kingdom able with withdraw it.
The weight is high-domed and egg shaped. The front is polished flat and around the back the surface has been acid etched away in cameo. When viewed from the front with design inside is almost 3-D in effect.
The anvil is shown in silhouette and has a green cluster with tiny peaks in the foreground. Carved into each side of the weight are images of King Arthur holding aloft the sword - the cameo cut away section is frosted in texture.
It is a hard to find this particular weight - and this one is in perfect condition. This is certainly a most complicated paperweight to create - and it is certainly a high-end example.
Obviously it is quite hard to judge the quality of this one from five photographs - and the amount of work and skill which has gone into making this exemplary example. It is probably a collector's item - for the paperweight specialist. Please ask for more photographs, if you are interested in adding this to your collection.
Height 4 1/4 inches and with a diameter of 2 1/2 inches.
A weight from a very small limited edition and this is reflected in my fair asking price.
HAPPY TO POST INTERNATIONALLY, PLEASE ASK FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE OUTSIDE OF THE UK.