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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Inkstands & Desk Items

1686

10450 James II Antique Silver Chamberstick
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A distinctive little chamberstick (or “go to bed”) with the solid design and heavy gauge silver you’d expect from this date. It has the early form with a flat teardrop handle engraved with a family coat of arms. The circular pan has a gadrooned border and ribbed sconce, all mounted on three small stump feet. Weight 187g, 6 troy oz. Height 4.3cm. Diameter 9.7cm. Spread 15cm, 5.9ins. London 1686. Maker’s mark unclear. Sterling silver.
1701 - 1720
David Greene
10384 George I Antique Silver Bell
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A rare early English silver hand bell from the early 1700’s. Lovely plain style with concentric bands around the centre and bottom rim. Heavy cast silver. Weight 207g, 6.6 troy oz. Height 13.3cm. Diameter 6.7cm. Owner’s initials “MP” engraved to the top of the handle. London circa 1701-1720. Maker David Green. Britannia Standard silver, 95.8% purity.
1712
Joseph Bird
10232 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tapersticks
£5,850

A rare pair of dainty little antique silver tapersticks with the desirable octagonal shape. Superb quality. Lovely crisp finish. The straight lined form features a faceted sconce and foot and a plain knopped tapering stem. Total weight 200 grams, 6.4 troy ounces. Height 12cm. Base diameter 7.1cm. London 1712. Maker Joseph Bird. Britannia standard silver. 18^th century.
1716
George Gillingham
10418 George I Antique Silver Snuffer Tray and Scissors
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It’s unusual to find a completely matching candle snuffer set from this early date, particularly with these attractive features. The scissor stand has an hour glass form, with the flat teardrop handle and small ball feet similar to early chambersticks of that date. The candle douter and wick trimmer has a simple open and shut mechanism and retains the original steel cutting plates, the pointed end was used to loosen and remove candle stubs from the socket. Both pieces bear the attractive hand engraved crest of a stallion horse.
1717
William Scarlett
10469 George I Antique Silver Taperstick
£1,950

An interesting form of early English taperstick with a fixed sconce, tubular stem and splayed hexagonal foot. This unusual little taper holder is raised from sheet silver in the Old English style of “monument” candlestick which was popular circa 1690-1710 whereas tapersticks of this period are normally made from cast silver in the Huguenot style. The good gauge silver makes it feel solid in the hand. The hand beaten silver and engraved dog crest both add charm. Weight 55g, 1.7 troy oz. Height 7.5cm, 3ins. Base diameter 5.7cm. London circa 1716-19. Maker William Scarlett. Britannia standard silver, 95.8% pure.
1722
Matthew Cooper
10448 George I Antique Silver Taperstick
£1,250

An elegant little antique silver taperstick with knopped stem and rectangular base. Classic plain style and straight lines. Hand engraved to the foot is the crest of a fleur de lys with crown below. Cast silver. Weight 101 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Height 9.8cm, 3.8ins. Diameter of base 6.7cm, 2.6ins. London 1722. Maker Matthew Cooper. Sterling silver.
1724
John Bache
10302 George I Antique Silver Tapersticks
£3,350

A delightful pair of little antique silver taper sticks with the plain hexagonal design typical of the early 1700’s. Cast silver. Total weight 235 grams, 7.5 troy ounces. Height 11.4cm. Base measures 7 x 8cm. London 1724. Maker John Bache. Britannia standard silver – 95.8% purity*. 18th century.
1730
John Bache
10363 George II Antique Silver Taperstick
£1,050

A delightful little antique silver taper stick of plain early design with baluster stem and square octagonal foot with a sunken well. Nice plain style and straight lines. Cast silver. Hand engraved within the well is a “hand” crest. Weight 94g, 3.0 troy oz. Height 10.5cm. Base diameter 6.5cm. London 1730. Maker John Bache. Sterling silver. This taperstick would make a good pair with #10360 (minor differences).
1733
Edward Vincent
9695 George II Silver Box
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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.
1739
John Luff
10482 George II Antique Silver Inkstand
£6,750

A fabulous quality early English silver inkstand of shaped rectangular design raised on four cast ball and claw feet. The tray has 2 integral pen trays and is mounted on top with two cylindrical containers for ink and sand. The charming little hand bell in the centre was used to call the servant. Each piece bears the hand engraved crest of a griffin. Weight 1550g, 49.8 troy oz. Height 16.5cm. Length 28.3cm (11.1ins). Width 21.8cm. London 1739. Maker John Luff. Sterling silver.
1765 - 1767
Johann Jakob Adam
10375 Antique Novelty Silver Bell Inkstand
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An unusual mid 18th century antique German inkstand modelled as 3 fruits sitting on vine leaf. It comprises a pomegranate inkwell and cover, an apple pounce pot, and the pear shaped bell acts as the cover of the nib box. Rising from the centre is a tall naturalistic cast silver taperstick with leafy drip pan. Excellent weight and quality modelling. Weight 819g, 26.3 troy oz. Height 15.2cm. Base 21.5cm x 19.5cm. Augsburg, Germany. 1765-67. Maker Johann Jakob Adam.
1769
William & Aaron Lestourgeon
10282 George III Antique Silver Box
£795

An attractive antique silver toilet box of plain cylindrical form with pull off lid and reeded rims. The top is hand engraved with a stag crest. Useful size suitable as a jewellery box or for cuff links. Weight 231 grams, 7.4 troy ounces. Height 4.7cm. Diameter 10.1cm. London 1769. Maker William & Aaron Lestourgeon. Sterling silver. 18^th century.
1774
James Harmar
10464 George III Antique Silver Taperstick
£785

An attractive little antique silver taperstick with shell base and detachable nozzle. Made of cast silver. Very pretty detail with a rope twist ornament to the top and column. Weight 193g, 6.2 troy oz. Height 14cm, 5.5ins. Diameter of base 7.7cm, 3ins. London 1774. Maker James Harmar. Sterling silver.
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.
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.
Circa 1795

9791 George III Old Sheffield Plate Globe Inkstand
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A rare and collectible conversation piece made in Old Sheffield plate. This elegant novelty inkstand, made to sit on an 18^th 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.
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.
Circa 1800

10443 French Antique Gold Aide Memoire
Reserved

A very beautiful Palais Royal solid gold and real mother of pearl writing companion in the form of a book. Superbly engraved on both sides with sprays of flowers and fitted with a solid gold propelling pencil. By removing the pen, this fine piece opens to reveal a yellow silk interior with blank notepaper. Weight of pen 8g, 0.25 troy oz. Weight of book including pearl and interior 143g, 4.59 troy oz. Length 10.5cm, 4.1ins. Width 7.3cm, 2.8ins. France circa 1820. Pen and Book with French gold marks.
1807
James Turner
9604 Georgian Silver Wax Jack
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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.
1810
Thomas Wells
8768 Antique George III Silver Inkwell
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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.
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 surmounted by a griffin crest, and motto below “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.
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.
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.
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.