Silverplate Inkstand – James Deakin & Sons

James Deakin & Sons was founded in Sheffield in 1866 by James Deakin and William Pitchford Deakin. They registered their mark in the Sheffield assay office in 1878. In 1886 two sons, John and Albert Deakin entered the firm’s partnership and the firm became James Deakin & Sons. James retired in 1893, and the business continued with his sons, William, John and Albert. The company converted into a limited liability company in 1897 and became James Deakin & Sons Ltd.

This rectangular inkstand has a heavy metal base with little wear on the silverplating. The base has gadroon edging with a central handle flanked by the two inkwells and by two pen channels. The inkwells are made of lead crystal glass with a square profile and faceted edges. The inkwells are fitted with silverplated collars supporting the hinged lids that have baluster finials. The base is supported on four bunt feet.

The base has the James Deakin & Sons mark that was employed in the late 1800s, somewhere between 1893 when the company became Deakin & Sons and before it became a limited company in 1897. The base also has a product style number: ‘M880’. The fitting holding the handle in position is held in place with wing nuts and washers marked ‘SHEFFIELD’.