Early Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand

This 1844 sterling silver inkstand by London silversmith Charles Boyton I combines high-relief repoussé artistry with brilliantly cut heavy crystal.

Overview & Silversmith History

• Maker: Charles Boyton I (registered mark ‘CB’ in oval).
• Origin & Date: London, England, fully hallmarked for 1844 (date letter ‘i’).
• Style: High Victorian Rococo Revival.

Established in 1825, Charles Boyton I built a strong reputation as one of London’s premier mid-19th-century silversmiths. His workshop produced finely crafted domestic silver noted for expressive repoussé chasing, naturalistic motifs, and robust construction.

Description

1. The Sterling Silver Tray Stand

• Form: The stand features a circular form with a shaped, scalloped, and molded rim. At the center sits a raised cylindrical silver receiver collar designed to seat the matching inkwell snugly.
• Decoration: Richly worked in high-relief repoussé and hand-chasing. The surface features sprawling acanthus scrollwork, leafy stems, and lush flower blossoms (roses and forget-me-nots) set against a finely stippled background.

2. The Cut Crystal Inkwell & Silver Mounts

• Glass Reservoir: A heavy, spherical hand-cut crystal well featuring high-relief diamond cuts and hobnail that tapers down to a polished, un-cut circular base rim.
• Silver Collar: Fitted with an ornate sterling collar displaying a band of stamped arcading/beading around the upper edge.
• Hinged Lid: The top of the sterling cap is heavily embossed in high relief to match the tray, featuring blooming flowers and swirling floral stems.

Hallmarks

The set is fully hallmarked across three distinct locations, confirming that all sterling elements are original to one another:

1. Tray Base Surface: Stamped with maker’s mark CB (Charles Boyton I), Lion Passant (Sterling), Leopard’s Head (London Assay Office), Date Letter i (1844), and Duty Mark (Queen Victoria’s profile).
2. Silver Collar: Stamped with matching partial hallmarks including maker’s mark CB, Lion Passant, Leopard’s Head, Date Letter i, and Victoria Duty Mark.
3. Hinged Lid Underside: Stamped with maker’s mark CB and Date Letter i.

Note

Matching early Victorian single-well desk sets by noted London makers—complete with their original, undamaged glass reservoirs and fully clear hallmarks—are increasingly scarce. This piece serves as an exemplary display of 1840s Rococo Revival silversmithing.