English Silverplated Inkstand

Detailed description

Overall Appearance:

• Material: Silver-plated. Silverplate was a popular and more affordable alternative to sterling silver, allowing for intricate designs to be widely produced.
• Form: It’s a casket-shaped inkstand, resting on decorative feet. The overall impression is one of opulence and grandeur, designed to be a prominent desk accessory.
• Ornate Decoration (Repoussé and Chasing): The entire surface is decorated with extensive repoussé (raised patterns hammered from the reverse side) and chasing (incised lines and details worked from the front).
• Figural Elements:
  • Lions’ Heads: Prominently featured on the front and back panels, these lion heads are highly sculptural and imposing, often symbolizing strength, nobility, and authority. They are integrated into the scrolling foliage.
  • Cherubs: At each end of the inkstand, cherubs (or putti) are depicted, adding a classical touch. They are part of the elaborate scrollwork,  holding garlands.
• Foliate and Scrollwork Design: The dominant decorative motif is an abundance of acanthus leaves, C-scrolls, and floral patterns, characteristic of Baroque and Rococo revival styles popular in the Victorian era. These elements are intricately interwoven across the lid and body of the inkstand.
• Feet: The inkstand stands on four scrolled feet.
• Hinged Cover: The top of the inkstand serves as a hinged cover that lifts to reveal the interior compartments. The lid itself is heavily adorned with the same intricate patterns as the base.

Interior Features (when open):

• Two Inkwells:). Two ceramic inserts hold the ink.
• Pen Wipe: A central, rectangular compartment served as a pen wipe to clean excess ink from quills or dip pens.
• Storage Space: The other compartment within the interior offers space for storing additional writing implements, sealing wax, or other desk accessories.