American Sterling Silver and Cut Crystal Inkwell

1. Identification: The Markings

• Retailer: “THEODORE B. STARR NEW YORK”.
  • History: Theodore B. Starr was a prestigious New York City jeweler and silversmith firm (active 1877–1923) located on 5th Avenue. They were a direct competitor to Tiffany & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost, known for selling only the highest quality silver and bronzes.
• The Mark: This mark appears to be “B & Z” inside a rectangle.
  • Maker: This is the mark of Buchholz & Zelt, a New York silversmith firm active around 1900. They were a high-end “trade shop” that manufactured luxury silver goods specifically for elite retailers like Theodore B. Starr to brand as their own.
• “1033”: This is the pattern number or model number.

2. Visual Description

• The Lid (Repoussé): The hinged sterling silver lid features elaborate Rococo Revival ornamentation.
  • The Medallion: The centerpiece is a high-relief profile portrait of a woman in 18th-century court dress. This is likely a depiction of Marie Antoinette or a generic “Court Lady,” a very popular motif in the 1890s “Louis XV” style.
  • Decoration: Surrounding the portrait are dense floral garlands (roses and anemones) and C-scroll curves, created using the repoussé technique (hammered from the inside to create relief).
• The Glass Body: The base is a massive block of heavy lead crystal.
  • Shape: It features a “Melon” or “Pumpkin” ribbed design with deep, polished lobes. The weight and optical clarity suggest high-quality American glass.
  • Base: The bottom is polished smooth with a recessed center (pontil), typical of blown and cut glass.

3. Assessment

• Quality: Theodore B. Starr pieces are considered “tier one” American silver, equal in quality to Tiffany. The heavy gauge of the silver and the deep cutting of the glass confirm this was a luxury object for a wealthy household’s desk.

Summary: This is a Turn-of-the-Century “Marie Antoinette” Inkwell, retailed by Theodore B. Starr and likely manufactured by Buchholz & Zelt (B&Z) of New York, circa 1900.