Combination Inkwell and Pocket Watch

This is a remarkable Edwardian sterling silver and cobalt blue ceramic combination inkwell, featuring an integrated pocket watch.

General Description

This “combination” desk accessory was a luxury item produced during the Edwardian era (1901–1910). It served as both a functional inkwell and a desk clock. The square (cuboid) ceramic base is finished in a deep cobalt blue glaze, embellished with hand-painted gold gilt depicting evergreen/pine branches and blue forget-me-not flowers.

The silver mount consists of a cylindrical collar with a hinged lid that opens to reveal a top-wind pocket watch embedded in the underside of the lid. When the lid is propped open, the watch face is positioned for easy viewing by the writer.

Hallmarks & Identification

• Maker: J G & S – This stands for John Grinsell & Sons. They were a prestigious firm founded in Birmingham (Victoria Works) with significant showrooms in London. They were renowned for high-quality “mounted” items—combining silver with glass, ceramics, or leather.
• City Mark: Leopard’s Head – This confirms the silver was assayed in London.
• Purity Mark: Lion Passant – Denotes .925 Sterling Silver.
• Date Letter: “i” – Specifically for the year 1904.
• Watch Movement: The watch is a standard high-quality Swiss or English lever movement of the period. The “S” and “F” (Slow/Fast) are the regulator marks used to adjust the timing.

Ceramic & Pattern

The ceramic base is most likely Doulton Burslem (Royal Doulton). John Grinsell & Sons had a long-standing partnership with the Doulton factory, frequently mounting silver onto their stoneware and porcelain.

• The Glaze: This deep “Cobalt Blue” was a hallmark of Doulton’s high-end decorative wares at the turn of the century.
• The Pattern: The combination of pine needles (and sometimes cones) with forget-me-nots is a classic Aesthetic Movement motif, often influenced by “Japonisme” (Japanese art styles). Forget-me-nots were highly symbolic in this period, representing lasting memory and friendship.

Unusual Features

• Removable Watch: The pocket watch is designed to be removable. This allowed the owner to use it as a standard pocket watch or to wind/set it more easily.
• Integrated Winding: The silver collar features a small “U” shaped notch or a specific crown access point which allows the watch to be wound while seated in the lid.
• “Traveling” Heritage: While this is a desk piece, the “watch-in-lid” design was originally popularized for traveling inkwells, ensuring that a gentleman or lady had both time and ink in a single, compact unit.

Historical Context

By 1904, John Grinsell & Sons was at the peak of its popularity, specializing in these “novelty” combinations (clock-inkwells, barometer-inkwells, and even inkwell-stamp boxes). A piece like this would have been a high-end gift or a luxury purchase from a London jeweler.