George III Sterling Silver Inkstand

The inkstand is made of sterling silver and has a rectangular shape with a recessed front area designed to hold pens. Its decorative features include a beaded edge that runs around the entire perimeter and four elegant legs. The most notable features are the three pierced holders, which hold an inkwell, a sander (for sprinkling fine sand to dry ink), and a stand for quills.

The Hallmarks

The hallmarks give this piece’s history:

• The Lion Passant Mark: The lion mark (specifically, the Lion Passant, a lion walking with its right forepaw raised) is the traditional sterling silver mark in England, guaranteeing the silver’s purity at .925.
• The London Assay Office Mark: The mark for London confirms where the piece was hallmarked.
• The Maker’s Mark: The William Plummer mark identifies the silversmith. William Plummer was a recognized silversmith in London in the late 18th century.
• The Duty Drawback Mark: The rarest and most telling mark is the duty drawback letter “k”. This hallmark was only used for a very brief period from May to July 1785. It indicated that the silver had been imported, taxed, and then was being re-exported, allowing the maker to claim a “drawback” or refund of the duty paid. This specific mark is a rare find, as it was only in use for three months, making this inkstand an exceptional piece of horological history.