Inkstands & Desk Items
Inkstands and Inkwells
The inkstand did not enter into common household use until the 18th century. Earlier 17th century examples exist but are exceedingly rare. The main requirement was a container for ink and another for sand (or pounce) which was used for drying the ink. Also required was a space to put quills. Some inkstands also incorporated a taper stick for melting sealing wax or even a bell.
Desk Accessories, Bells, Pens, Letter Openers, Seals
Desk accessories form a wide and interesting collecting field and they make an excellent gentleman’s gift. It’s thought that the first handwritten letter was written, probably on canvas, by a Persian queen in around 500BC. Letters were vital for basic communication, both personal and formal, and the format was strictly governed by basic rules of etiquette. The equipment required to write a simple letter was quite extensive including paper, envelope, pen, ink, blotter, stamps. Once written the letter or scroll needed to be sealed using a candle wax kit. Letter openers are a useful gift
Inkstands & Desk Items
Inkstands and Inkwells
The inkstand did not enter into common household use until the 18th century. Earlier 17th century examples exist but are exceedingly rare. The main requirement was a container for ink and another for sand (or pounce) which was used for drying the ink. Also required was a space to put quills. Some inkstands also incorporated a taper stick for melting sealing wax or even a bell.
Desk Accessories, Bells, Pens, Letter Openers, Seals
Desk accessories form a wide and interesting collecting field and they make an excellent gentleman’s gift. It’s thought that the first handwritten letter was written, probably on canvas, by a Persian queen in around 500BC. Letters were vital for basic communication, both personal and formal, and the format was strictly governed by basic rules of etiquette. The equipment required to write a simple letter was quite extensive including paper, envelope, pen, ink, blotter, stamps. Once written the letter or scroll needed to be sealed using a candle wax kit. Letter openers are a useful gift
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1733
Edward Vincent
9695 George II Silver Box
£8,750
A rare antique silver box of hexagonal form with a folding strapwork catch; the hinged lid having a large drop handle supported by ball finials. Of plain form and heavy gauge silver, this unusual box is extremely heavy. The interior pull out tray has two hinged lids enclosing six compartments. Possibly a spice box, although spice boxes of this period usually had a double centrally hinged lid, could also be used for cash or jewellery. Weight 1268 grams, 40.7 troy ounces. Height 9.5cm. Top measures 17 x 12cm. London 1733. Maker Edward Vincent. Sterling silver.
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1742
Peter Archambo
9573 George II Silver Inkstand
Sold
A rare early English silver inkstand of plain rectangular design raised on four ball and claw feet. Sterling silver. Mounted on top are two cylindrical containers for ink and sand and a small detachable candlestick. Engraved to the top with a coat of arms, the two pots and taperstick with a crest. Weight 780 grams, 25 troy ounces. Height 9.5cm. Length 20.5cm. Width 13.5cm. London 1742. Maker Peter Archambo.
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1782
William Sumner
9607 Antique Silver Skewer
£350
An attractive antique silver meat skewer with decorative ring handle. Can also be used as a letter opener. Uninscribed. Weight 61 grams, 1 troy ounce. Length 24.5 cm. London 1782. Maker probably William Sumner.
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Circa 1790
Guiseppe Caltagirone
8191 Antique Italian Silver Frames
£2,250
A stylish pair of late 18th century Sicilian silver cartaglorias containing the original texts in old fashioned script. The oval bead bordered frames have applied gilt silver swags, leaves and flower motifs, the bases are raised on square supports. The sheet silver frames are pinned onto carved softwood backs. Height 26.7 cm. Width 23 cm. Marked on the bottom left hand corner with “GC” for Guiseppe Caltagirone of Trapani, Sicilia. Circa 1790.
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Circa 1795
9791 George III Old Sheffield Plate Globe Inkstand
£1,250
A rare and collectible conversation piece made in Old Sheffield plate. This elegant novelty inkstand, made to sit on an 18th century Englishman’s desk, is in the form of a globe and by pressing down the top finial the two flaps open to reveal four Bristol blue glass bottles. Two bottles are for ink, one for pounce (a fine powder to dry the ink) and a fourth to keep spare nibs. The centre rim is decorated with swags and lions masks. Height 27cm. Diameter 14cm. Bottle height 5cm. Unmarked. Old Sheffield plate. Circa 1795.
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1798
William Ely
9597 Antique Silver Skewer
£350
A good quality antique silver meat skewer with ring handle. Can also be used as a letter opener. Uninscribed. Weight 133 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Length 35 cm. London 1798. Maker William Ely II.
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1806
Arthur Murphy
7098 Antique Irish Silver Skewer
£235
A good quality antique Dublin silver meat skewer with ring handle and hand engraved crest to one end. Could be used as a letter opener.. Weight 81 grams, 2.6 troy ounces. Length 31 cm. Dublin 1806. Maker Arthur Murphy.
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1807
James Turner
9604 Georgian Silver Wax Jack
£1,050
A rare antique sterling silver wax jack, or go to bed, of rectangular form. Good plain style and gadroon borders. The central wax winder supports the remains of a coil of wax, the end of which is held in place in the centre of the sconce. The small conical snuffer is attached to the top by a long silver chain. Weight including wax 163 grams, 5.2 troy ounces. Height 11 cm. Base 9.3 x 7.4 cm. London 1807. Maker probably James Turner.
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1810
Thomas Wells
8768 Antique George III Silver Inkwell
Sold
A good George III sterling silver travelling inkwell, of rectangular form, with hinged screw down cover. Lovely plain style. Weight 56 grams, 1.8 troy ounces. Height 2.5 (pot), 5 (top of screw cap) cms. Base 3.9×3.9 cms. London 1810. Maker Thomas Wells.
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1813
David Solomon
9985 George III Antique Silver Taperstick
Sold
A fine Regency taperstick in cast silver with a gilt finish. This antique figural candle holder is beautifully modelled as a gentleman or “dandy”. Ideal for a desk or table decoration. Weight 218 grams, 7 troy ounces. Height 15.1cm. Base diameter 7.7cm. London 1813. Maker David Solomon.
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1829
Jonathan Hayne
7273 Antique Silver Skewer
£275
A good quality antique silver meat skewer with ring handle and hand engraved crest to one end. Suitable for use as a paper knife. Weight 96 grams, 3 troy ounces. Length 32.5 cms. London 1829. Maker Jonathan Hayne.
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1830
Edward Barnard & Sons
9741 Antique Silver Bell
Sold
An attractive antique silver hand bell with an embossed design of flowers and foliage. Good quality construction and heavy gauge silver. To the front is an engraved crest. Weight 159 cms, 5.1 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Diameter 6.5 cms. London 1830. Edward, Edward Jnr, John and W. Barnard. Sterling silver.
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Circa 1840
8806 Antique Gold and Stone Desk Seal
£695
An antique seal with white hard stone handle and solid gold mount. The carved intaglio has an armorial, a horse crest over a crown, and the motto “Con Fide”. The stone handle could be white jade or quartz cabouchon. The intaglio is a creamier white colour and may be rock crystal. Length 6.7 cms. Unmarked gold (15 or 18 carat). French. Circa 1840.
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1849
Elkington
8994 Antique Silver Plated Ink Stand
£350
A fine quality antique inkstand with an oval pierced gallery. Silver plated. To the centre the cherub figure is holding a taper stick and can be removed to use the circular box below for pen nibs etc. The two crystal faceted ink bottles have silver plated tops and cut star bases. Length 26cms, width 20cms. The edge of the nib box has silver plate marks for Elkington & Co; date cypher for 1849.
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Circa 1880
9891 Antique French Gilt Metal Magnifying Glass
£95
A decorative antique eye glass or monocle with a decorative handle. Can be worn on a chain. Length 7.7cm. Width 3.8cm. Gold cased (gold on metal probably brass). Unmarked. French. Circa 1880.
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1882
Horton & Allday
7085 Victorian Silver Letter Opener
£475
Hunting interest. A decorative antique sterling silver page turner or letter opener with the handle in the form of a heron with a long intertwined fish tail. The blade is beautifully hand decorated with a hunting scene of horses riding to hounds. Length 35.5cm. Width 2.5cm. Birmingham 1882. Maker Horton & Allday.
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Circa 1890
9905 Antique Gold and Enamel Pencil
£225
A good quality late Victorian small 9 carat gold and enamel telescopic propelling pencil with attached suspension ring, a deep blue coloured guilloche enamel sleeve, and bullet shaped telescopic pencil with reeded barrel. Length 3cm (closed), 6.1cm (open). Maker “E.B”. England. Circa 1890.
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Circa 1900
8949 Antique Bronze Dog
£950
A striking figure of a dog raised on hind legs with one foot supported by an oval specimen of Blue John*. The modelling is very realistic. Raised on a marble resin base. Height 17.5 (total), 12.5 cms (dog) cms. Base 10.5 x 5.8 cms. Unsigned. Probably English. Circa 1900.
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Circa 1900
9966 Antique Silver Pencil
£125
An antique silver propelling pencil, would have originally hung on a lady’s chatelaine or gentleman’s watch chain. Hexagonal shaped body with hand engraved decoration around the outside. The top is inset with a purple coloured stone. The central sliding band extends & retracts the internal pencil mechanism. Length 4.3cm (closed), 5.cm (extended). English circa 1900. The pencil is unmarked. The T-bar has maker’s mark “J.K”, date letter “s” probably for Birmingham 1892. The chain links with the lion mark only. Guaranteed silver, sterling grade or similar.
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