“Arts & Crafts” Style Silver Traveling Inkwell

Overview This is a solid silver traveling inkwell produced by the luxury leather and silver goods makers Drew & Sons (Samuel Summers Drew & Ernest Drew). Dating to 1899, the piece bridges the gap between the Victorian era and the incoming Arts & Crafts movement, evidenced by its distinctive hand-hammered finish.

Visual Description

• Exterior: The inkwell features a cube-shaped body with a hand-planished (hammered) surface. This textured finish was a popular aesthetic choice at the turn of the century, designed to scatter light and mask fingerprints. The lid is surmounted by applied silver initials intertwined in a stylized monogram, which appears to read “FLH”.
• Mechanism: The box is secured by a push-button release mechanism on the front, fitted with a pivoting safety catch to prevent accidental opening during transport.
• Interior: Upon opening, the case reveals a richly gilded (gold-washed) interior.
• The Inkwell: Nested inside is the original glass ink reservoir. It retains its own secondary, spring-loaded hinged cover (gilded brass or silver-gilt) with a thumb release, ensuring a double seal against leaks.

Hallmarks and Identification The piece is fully hallmarked on the underside of the base and partially marked on the interior bezel.

• Maker’s Mark: [SSD over ED] in a shield, identifying Drew & Sons (Samuel Summers Drew & Ernest Drew).
• Assay Office: Leopard’s Head (London).
• Date Letter: Lowercase “d” corresponds to the year 1899.
• Silver Standard: Lion Passant (walking lion).
  • The mark is the Lion Passant (walking), which denotes English Sterling Silver (.925).
• Retailer’s Mark: The base is stamped with the firm’s prestigious address: “DREW 156 LEADENHALL ST. E.C”.
  • Drew & Sons were famous for their “En Route” tea baskets and luxury travel goods sold from this location and later Piccadilly Circus.