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

1707
Thomas Merry
10131 Antique Queen Anne Silver Taperstick
Sold

A charming little antique silver taperstick of plain early design with baluster stem and raised octagonal foot. Cast silver. Britannia standard silver*. Hand engraved on the foot is a lion crest. Weight 127 grams, 4.1 troy ounces. Height 11.8cm. Base diameter 7.7cm. London 1707. Maker Thomas Merry.
1711
Thomas Merry
9497 Queen Anne Silver Taperstick
Sold

A delightful little antique silver taper stick of plain early design with baluster stem and raised square foot with canted corners. Cast silver. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 104 grams, 3.3 troy ounces. Height 9.5cm. Base diameter 7cm. London 1711. Maker Thomas Merry I.
Circa 1720
Paul de Lamerie
10174 George II Antique Silver Bell
Sold

An excellent quality silver hand bell by the sought after Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie. Good plain style with concentric bands around the centre and bottom rim. Heavy cast silver. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 10.2cm. Diameter 6.7cm. London circa 1720. Maker Paul de Lamerie. Britannia Standard silver, 95.8% purity.
1733
Edward Vincent
9695 George II Silver Box
Sold

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.
1735
James Gould
10154 George II Antique Silver Taperstick
Sold

A pretty little antique silver taperstick with knopped stem and shaped rectangular base. Nice plain style. Cast silver. Weight 124 grams, 4.0 troy ounces. Height 10.8cm. Diameter of base 6.9cm. London 1735. Maker James Gould. Sterling silver.
1741
Elizabeth Godfrey
10209 George II Antique Silver Inkstand
Sold

An exceptional early English silver inkstand of oval form with a cast shell border and raised on four cast scroll feet. Gilt finish. Good gauge silver and heavy weight. To the top are two cylindrical containers for ink and sand and a detachable candlestick mounted on a circular box. Hand engraved to the top with a coat of arms and motto “Pax in Bello” for the Osborne family; the two pots and taperstick all with a matching crest. Weight 1485 grams, 47.7 troy ounces. Height 13.25cm. Length 34.4cm. Width 22.5cm. London 1741. Maker Eliza Godfrey. Sterling silver.
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.
1748
William Gould
10101 George II Antique Silver Taperstick
Sold

A delightful little antique silver taper stick with shaped base and shell corners. Cast silver. Weight 147 grams, 4.7 troy ounces. Height 12.2cm. Base diameter 7.2cm. London 1748. Maker William Gould. Sterling silver.
1754
John Café
10150 George II Antique Silver Taperstick
Sold

An attractive antique silver taperstick with hexafoil shell base, rope borders and an intricately shaped stem. Cast silver. Good size and weight. Owner’s initials “W.M” engraved underneath. Weight 180 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Height 13.3cm. Base diameter 8.7cm. London 1754. Maker John Cafe. Sterling silver.
Circa 1760
William Cafe
9440 George II Silver Harlequin Taperstick
Sold

A rare and very charming antique sterling silver taper stick, the stem modelled in the form of Harlequin. Cast silver. Excellent quality. Lovely patina. Weight 134 grams, 4.3 troy ounces. Height 13.5cm. Diameter of base 6.6cm. London circa 1760. Maker William Cafe.

This candlestick was produced over a period of about ten years, mainly by William Café and his brother John.
1765
Ebenezer Coker
10117 George III Antique Silver Tapersticks
Sold

A very attractive pair of antique silver tapersticks of substantial size and heavy weight. Cast silver. This unusual pair is particularly decorative having shaped, domed bases, gadroon edges and shell corners. Total weight 455 grams, 14.6 troy ounces. Height 16cm. Base diameter 8.8cm. London 1765. Maker Ebenezer Coker, known for his candlesticks. Sterling silver.
1767
Ebenezer Coker
9694 George III Antique Silver Snuffer Tray
Sold

A good quality antique sterling silver candle snuffer stand of rectangular shape with a flying scroll handle. Good plain design and heavy gauge silver with gadroon borders and applied shell borders. The top has a hand engraved crest. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Length 18.3cm. Width 8.8cm. London 1767. Maker Ebenezer Coker, the candlestick specialist. Sterling silver.
1771
Suzannah Barker
9456 George III Silver Wax Jack
Sold

An exceptional antique sterling silver wax jack with a scissor action and pierced drip pan. Good early date. Gilded finish. The tall column supports a coil of wax, the end of which is held in place in the centre of the drip pan. Weight including wax 239 grams, 7 troy ounces. Height 14.8cm. Spread across scissors 12.6cm. London 1771. Maker probably Suzanne Barker.
Circa 1773
James Hetherington
6108 George III Newcastle Silver Skewer
Sold

An antique provincial silver meat skewer with ring handle, feather edge and attractive engraving to one end. Weight 111 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Length 34 cms. Newcastle 1773. Maker James Hetherington.
Circa 1780

9156 Georgian Silver Travelling Scribes Box
Sold

An unusual antique sterling silver travelling case which pulls apart in 4 sections to contain pens, nibs and other writing paraphernalia. The outer case has an 8 inch rule hand engraved to the front. To each end there is an integral seal. Weight 84 grams, 2.7 troy ounces. Length 20 cm. Unmarked silver. English circa 1780.
Circa 1790
Schott
6764 Antique German Silver Inkstand
Sold

A delightful 18th century gilt silver desk set of compact oval shape with a low gallery and tongue and dart border. Complete with inkwell, sander, taperstick box and hand bell. The workmanship of this piece is remarkable. Excellent weight and very high gold finish. There is a hand engraved crest in front of the taperstick of a crown over the initial “L”. Weight 905 grams, 29 troy ounces. Height 12 cms to top of bell. Base 22 x 15.5 cms. Marked underneath with German silver marks for Frankfurt, circa 1790. Maker Schott.
1794
George Smith II & Thomas Hayter
9602 Antique Silver Skewer
Sold

A good antique silver meat skewer with ring handle. Can also be used as a letter opener. Uninscribed. Weight 63 grams, 2 troy ounces. Length 26.5 cm. London 1794. Maker George Smith & Thomas Hayter.
1799
Thomas Wallis I
7652 Antique Silver Skewer
Sold

An attractive antique sterling silver meat skewer (or could be used as a letter opener) with excellent quality cast shell handle and hand engraved snake crest. Weight 98 grams, 3 troy ounces. Length 30.5 cms. London 1799. Maker Thomas Wallis II.
1806
Arthur Murphy
7098 Antique Irish Silver Skewer
Sold

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.
1807
James Turner
9604 Georgian Silver Wax Jack
Sold

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
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.
1810
Joseph Willmore
7956 Georgian Silver Bosuns Whistle
Sold

Of nautical interest. A large size antique silver whistle with traditional curved design, scrolled wire work detail and engraved basket weave design. Complete with suspension ring. Weight 21 grams. Length 13 cms. Birmingham 1810. Maker Joseph Willmore.
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.
1820

8589 Antique Italian Silver Bell
Sold

An excellent quality antique cast silver bell, the handle fashioned as a classical Roman maiden scantily draped with a robe. The bell is decorated with cherubs, animals, classical head motifs, reclining figures and much more. Inside the bell there is an inscription engraved in old fashioned script*. Weight 268 grams, 8.6 troy ounces. Height 13.5 cms. Diameter 6.7 cms. Marked around the base edge with the Italian silver mark for Rome. Circa 1820.
1820
Samuel Wheatley
8063 Antique Silver Inkstand
Sold

An elegant antique sterling silver inkstand with shaped sides, reeded borders and mounted on elegant splay feet. Fitted each side with a pen tray. Original gilt finish. Mounted with a pair of cut crystal ink bottles and a central hinged top box for pen nibs etc. Hand engraved with armorials to the front, back and on the box top, Weight 530 grams, 17 troy ounces. Length 23 cms. Width 14 cms. Marked on each piece with English silver stamps for London 1820 (1 lid 1835). Maker Samuel Wheatley.
1825
John Bridge
9342 George IV Antique Silver Inkstand
Sold

An exquisite antique silver inkstand by the master craftsman John Bridge. Sterling silver with the original bright gilt finish. All contained within a boat shaped dish, this charming piece has a carrying handle surmounted by a model bee. The cut crystal inkwell sits within a decorative raised gallery, the candle holder is formed as a flower raised on a leafy stalk, and the candle snuffer nestles alongside a second flower tendril. Excellent fine quality. Weight 542 grams, 17.4 troy ounces. Height 7.8 cm. Spread 20.5 cm. Top 18.5 x 10 cm. London 1825. By the prestigious John Bridge, royal goldsmith to King George III and IV.
1829
Jonathan Hayne
7273 Antique Silver Skewer
Sold

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.
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 grams, 5.1 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Diameter 6.5 cms. London 1830. Edward, Edward Jnr, John and W. Barnard. Sterling silver.
1838
Edward Barnard & Sons
8417 Antique Silver Inkstand
Sold

An attractive William IV silver inkstand having a shaped edge with scroll and flower decoration. Mounted with 2 cut crystal bottles and a central lidded box for nibs etc. Underneath is an interesting inscription in old fashioned script. Weight of silver 857 grams, 27.5 troy ounces. Base 26 x 19 cms. Height 11 cms (highest point). London 1838. Maker Barnard Brothers.
Circa 1840

8820 Antique Gold Mounted Desk Seal
Sold

An antique seal with green serpentine handle and solid gold mount. The carved intaglio has a dragon crest over a monogram and the motto “Nunc Aut Nunguam”. Length 7.3 cms. Unmarked gold (15 or 18 carat). French. Circa 1840.
Circa 1840

9310 Antique Silver Bell
Sold

An attractive antique sterling silver bell, the handle fashioned as a classical young man. Weight 265 grams, 8.5 troy ounces. Height 12.7 cm. Diameter 4 cm. Stamped round the base with Italian silver stamps for Rome. Circa 1840.
Circa 1850

6416 Antique Silver Seal
Sold

An antique silver seal in the form of a Roman lady dressed in robes and carrying a dagger and hanging scales (portraying Justice?). Very unusual. The base of the seal is engraved with a decorative monogram. Weight 59 grams, 1.9 troy ounces. Height 11 cms. Seal 2.5 x 2 cms. Unmarked silver. Probably continental and circa 1850.