Chinoiserie Inkstand with Dragon Chamberstick

This Victorian Aesthetic Movement inkstand dates to the height of the “Chinoiserie” craze in the late 19th century.

Description & Components

• The Stand: A pierced or “openwork” brass base with a scrolling, scalloped gallery. The intricate pattern reflects the Victorian era’s fascination with Japanese and Chinese design motifs.
• The Inkwells: Two lidded porcelain pots in the “Prunus” or “Hawthorn” pattern. This blue-and-white “cracked ice” design with white cherry blossoms was popular in the 1880s and was often imported from China or manufactured by English potteries (like Worcester or Wileman) to be mounted into brass sets.
• The Central Dragon: A cast brass dragon that doubles as a chamberstick. This was practical as well as decorative; a small candle would be placed there to melt sealing wax for letters.

Deciphering the Registry Mark

The mark on the underside is a British Diamond Registration Mark (or “Kitemark”), used by the Patent Office to protect designs from being copied. Based on the 1868–1883 layout, here is the breakdown:

• Circle on Top: IV — This represents Class IV (Ceramics). It is interesting to see the ceramic mark stamped into the metal, suggesting the set was registered as a complete unit by the pottery or that the design was centered around the porcelain wells.
• Top (Inside Diamond): 15 — The day of the month.
• Right Corner: J — The year code for 1880.
• Bottom Corner: K — The month code for November.
• Left Corner: 3 — The bundle/parcel number.

Registration Date: This design was officially registered on November 15, 1880.

Maker & Origin

The piece was made in Birmingham, England, which was the world’s center for high-quality brass founding at the time.

While the “A” inside a diamond mark can occasionally be found on pieces by Hukin & Heath (noted for their collaborations with Christopher Dresser), this specific style of dragon and pierced brass is most often attributed to William Tonks & Sons (W.T.&S.) or Townshend & Co. both of whom specialized in “Artistic Brassware” for the Victorian desk.