Bicyclist Inkstand with Bell

This inkstand dates from the height of the “Bicycle Craze” in the late 1890s.

Description

The piece is crafted from cast spelter (a zinc alloy) with a plated finish—likely nickel or silver—which was a common medium for highly detailed novelty inkwells of the era.

• The Figure: A gentleman cyclist is depicted in classic late-Victorian “cycling dress.” He wears a striped jersey (visible beneath his jacket), a short lounge jacket, and knickers (breeches) tucked into long socks. His headgear appears to be a pillbox-style cycling cap, popular with athletic clubs of the day.
• The Bicycle: This is a “Safety Bicycle,” featuring two wheels of near-equal size and a chain drive. This design revolutionized cycling by making it accessible to the general public, replacing the precarious “Penny Farthing” (high-wheeler) by the late 1880s.
• The Stand: A double inkwell design with two lidded pots flanking the central figure. One pot still retains its original liner. The base is ornately decorated in the Rococo-revival style with foliage and a wide, recessed pen tray in the front.

The Bell:

The large, spherical object behind the cyclist is a desk call bell (sometimes called a service or servant bell).

• Purpose: In a Victorian household or office, this was used to summon a servant, clerk, or assistant. It allowed the writer to call for more paper, tea, or for a finished letter to be taken to the post without leaving their desk.
• Mechanism: It is a mechanical strike bell. You ring it by firmly pressing the knurled button/knob on the very top. Pressing this button triggers an internal spring-loaded hammer or clapper that strikes the bell’s “skirt” from the inside, producing a clear, sharp chime.

Age, Maker, and Origin

• Age: Circa 1890–1905. The popularity of the safety bicycle peaked in the mid-1890s, and by the end of the Edwardian era, desk sets with integrated bells were beginning to fall out of fashion.
• Maker: While often unmarked, pieces of this specific design and quality are frequently attributed to French founders or British brass and metal firms (such as those in Birmingham).
• Origin: Likely England or France. The man’s attire and the decorative scrollwork of the base are very consistent with European manufacturing for the export market.