Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Sterling Silver Capstan Inkwell

Description

• Form & Style: An Edwardian/early 20th-century capstan-form sterling silver inkwell featuring an octagonal silhouette with clipped corners and a stepped, molded plinth base.
• Lid & Well: A flush, multi-stepped hinged lid opens to reveal a gilded interior and a removable, thick clear-glass ink reservoir.
• Base Construction: The underside is fitted with a heavy, star-cut crystal base visible through a circular aperture in a sterling silver retaining plate secured by four hand-threaded screws.
• Engraving & Provenance: The lid is engraved with the initials and dates “J.S. C.D. / 1918 – 1943”, signifying a 25-year silver milestone (such as a 25th wedding anniversary or a quarter-century of service). The lid and base also carry vintage Sotheby’s property stickers.

Hallmarks & Maker’s Marks

• Maker / Sponsor’s Mark (G&S Co Ltd): The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd. Founded in 1880, they were prestigious Crown Jewelers and luxury silversmiths operating from their flagship premises at 112 Regent Street, London.
• Standard Mark (Lion Passant): The official English guarantee mark for sterling silver (925/1000 purity).
• Assay Town Mark (Leopard’s Head): Uncrowned leopard’s head denoting the London Assay Office.
• Date Letter (Lowercase Gothic ‘c’): Struck for the assay year 1918 (the London hallmarking year spanning May 1918 to May 1919).
• Retailer Stamp: The underside retaining plate is stamped:

GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS COMPANY / 112 REGENT STREET W.

• Part Marks: Matching partial hallmarks (Lion Passant, assay marks, and date letters) are stamped inside the lid, on the baseplate, and across the individual screw heads, ensuring every component is original to the piece.

Date of Manufacture

This inkwell was hallmarked and crafted in 1918. Because 1918 was its date of creation, the subsequent engraving (1918–1943) was added in 1943 to commemorate a 25th anniversary spanning from the year the inkwell was originally made.