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19th Century Ink Well

Sterling Silver Inkstand - Antique Victorian (1876)

An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual and rare antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection

SKU C7617

SORRY ITEM SOLD

This exceptional, unusual and rare antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has an oval form.


Either end of this antique silver inkstand is embellished with impressive engraved decoration depicting bird designs with snake tails, amidst a spray of pales.


The stand is further ornamented with a wrigglework decorated border, in addition to two plain oval recess composing ink pen wells.


The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand is ornamented with a plain applied moulded border.


This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive cast bracket style feet embellished with scrolling decoration and floral motifs, all on a matte background.


The stand features a fixed central plain oval vessel representing an Egyptian sarcophagus, elevated on exceptional cast figural legs, modelled in the form of Egyptian stylised birds to a claw and ball style foot; the ball feet secure to the base with a screw fitment to the underside.


This central vessel is fitted with a push fit cover, surmounted with an impressive cast sterling silver model of an Egyptian sphinx.


The push fit cover allows access to the two recess cylindrical receivers to accommodate the inkpots, in addition to a central recessed receptacle/stamp holder.


The antique silver inkwells are fitted with the original cylindrical glass liners.


Maker: Horace Woodward & Co

Date: 1876

This antique inkstand is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.

The cast decoration is very sharp and the engraved ornamentation is very crisp.

One ink bottle liner has a slight loss to the rim, the other is in perfect condition.

Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the stand, in addition to the part hallmarks to the interior of the cover and underside of the central vessel are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply due to the exceptional gauge of silver.


Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this 19th century ink well.


Length 29.7cm/11.7"

Width 17.1cm/6.7"

Height 14.1cm/5.6"


36.4 troy ounces/1133g (excluding glass liners)


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Proud Members of

International Federation of Art and Antique Dealer Associations CINOA
LAPADA THE ASSOCIATION OF ART & ANTIQUES DEALERS
National Association of Jewellery UK's trade association NAJ