Early French Handset Hookswitch Phone

This model is a prime example of the "skeletal" or "handset-on-stem" design that was highly popular in France and other parts of Europe long before it became common in the United States. The hookswitch on these models is usually quite delicate, featuring an ornamental cradle that reflects the Art Nouveau influence common in French industrial design at the turn of the century. These instruments were typically finished in polished brass or nickel and mounted on a decorative wooden base.