Antique School Slate with Two Sets of Carved Initials portrait frames 5" tall not including sword

5" tall not including sword

but to me this makes it rather all the more beautiful

I found it with a bunch of stencils inside

which I have fallen in love with of late

but certainly much of its inspiration comes from traditional Japanese pottery

Antique School Slate with Two Sets of Carved Initials portrait frames 5" tall not including swordI always keep an eye out for beautiful old school slates, and specifically ones that have been personalized one way or another (or mended and mended again.) This one, late 19th century I would guess, has held together very well, no mends required, but was used by at least two different students, who left their initials carved into the frame. (It looks to me like MDW on one side and N, plus maybe also a a PF on one long side, an a few other more