Brass Inkstand with Pen Rack

Description

This inkstand consists of a cast brass frame and a removable glass inkwell.

• Base and Frame: The inkstand features a square, four-footed base with ornate, scalloped borders. The corners are decorated with stylized leaf motifs.
• Hinged Lid: The lid is affixed to the frame with a hinge. It features a decorative, domed center with embossed leaf patterns and a small finial on top.
• Inkwell: The central reservoir is a heavy, clear glass block with a circular ell and a wide, flat rim. It sits within a recessed square on the base.
• Pen Rack: Integrated into the design are two scrolled brass arms that rise from the back of the frame, designed to hold several pens horizontally.
• Construction Details: The underside of the base shows the assembly of the central plate, which is held in place by small metal tabs.

Identification and Age

Determining a specific manufacturer for unmarked brassware can be challenging, but the design elements provide several clues:

Probable Age

This piece was likely manufactured between 1880 and 1910. The combination of cast brass, the Neoclassical influence in the scrollwork, and the heavy cut-glass well are hallmarks of desk sets from this period.

The Lack of Marks

It was common for many 19th-century metalware manufacturers to omit maker’s marks, particularly if the item was sold through a third-party catalog or retailer. The textured, “toothed” pattern on the interior base plate and the underside suggests a specific casting or finishing process that may help narrow down the foundry.