Cast Brass Double Inkstand – William Tonks and Sons

Style & Form: This is a Late Victorian (c. 1880–1900) cast brass inkstand designed in the Rococo Revival style. The piece is characterized by its heavy, ornate casting and “scrolled” outlines.

• The Base: The plinth is shaped with undulating, asymmetrical curves featuring relief-cast floral scrollwork and acanthus leaves. At the front and back centers, there are distinct scalloped shell depressions. These were functional trays intended to hold pen nibs, sealing wax wafers, or paper clips.
• The Inkwells: Two matching urn-shaped brass pots sit in the base. They feature hinged lids with turned finials and are decorated with repoussé-style leaf patterns. Inside, they retain their original white ceramic (porcelain) liners.
• The Pen Rack: A distinctive feature is the integral “gantry” style pen rack rising from the center. Two scrolled arms support a horizontal turned bar with grooves, designed to hold dip pens horizontally when not in use.

Markings: The underside is stamped with the manufacturer’s trademark: “W.T. & S” underneath a Sun or 8-pointed Star motif.

Date of Manufacture

Estimated Date: c. 1880–1900

• The Mark: The “W.T. & S” mark with the star was used extensively during the last quarter of the 19th century.
• The Style: The heavy, intricate brass casting and the specific Rococo floral motifs were at the height of fashion in English library and desk accessories during the 1880s and 1890s.

History of William Tonks & Sons

William Tonks & Sons was one of the most prestigious and prolific brass foundries in Birmingham, England—the city known as the “Toy Shop of Europe” (referring to small metal goods) and the global center of the brass trade in the 19th century.

• Origins: The firm was established early, around 1789 (some sources say 1794), originally as a maker of “steel toys” and small hardware.
• The “Star Works”: They operated out of the Star Works on Moseley Street in Birmingham. The “Star” or “Sun” logo found on this inkstand is a direct reference to their factory name.
• Reputation: By the mid-19th century, Tonks was known for exceptional quality. They won Gold Medals at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London and the 1855 Paris Exhibition for their architectural hardware and decorative metalwork.
• Production: While they made beautiful “fancy goods” like this inkstand, candlesticks, and jardinières, they were perhaps most famous for their architectural inventions. They invented the “Tonks Strip,” a system of adjustable metal shelf supports that is still the industry standard for bookcases today.
• Later Years: The company continued to thrive into the 20th century. It eventually merged with other hardware giants (like William Newman & Sons) and parts of its legacy survive in the modern architectural hardware industry.