Antique 19th Century Herb Chopper - Unusual Style

This antique herb chopper or sugar cleaver oozes quality and style. 

Dating from the late 19th Century, this is a wonderful tactile herb chopper in an unusual shape. 

Likely to be French in origin, there is a faint maker's mark on the steel blade chopper although I don't recognise this.  The steel is encased in a wonderfully tactile treen handle, which has been fixed together with brass rivets, adding an element of sophistication and added quality to the piece.  

The steel blade is a little pitted and stained in places, and there are also some patches of staining on the handle. However, it is still a very usable and decorative item for the kitchen.

Length, 19.5cm; Width, 14cm, Depth, 2.3cm at handle