Inkstand with Winged Sphinx and Thermometer

This is a useful desk item from the late 19th century, combining an inkwell with a thermometer. Its eclectic and ornate design draws heavily on classical motifs. The inkstand is made of cast iron. The base is an ornate, pierced structure with raised, decorative borders and an ornate architectural design with a tall, finial-topped column and integrated thermometer. The thermometer registers in Fahrenheit, a strong indicator of its American origin.

The Decorative Elements

The piece is a mix of classical and mythological figures and styles:

• The Figure: The winged figure at the front of the stand is most accurately described as a winged sphinx, a hybrid creature from Greek mythology with the body of a lion, the head of a woman, and the wings of a bird. Its pose, with the wings rising dramatically, is a striking feature. While sphinxes are commonly associated with Egyptian mythology, the version with a female head is distinctly Greek.
• The Classical Profile: The detached, circular lid for the inkwell is decorated with an embossed profile of a man wearing a laurel crown. This is a quintessential motif from Roman and Greek art, often representing emperors, poets, or gods. This detail, along with the winged sphinx, places the inkstand firmly in the Classical Revival style. While the sphinx is associated with Egypt, the overall mix of Greek-style sphinxes and Roman laurel wreaths makes “Classical Revival” a more precise description than “Egyptian Revival.”

Maker and Context

The inkstand is attributed to Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. Their 1885 catalog shows several similar pieces with inkwell and thermometer, though not this exact piece.  While the company is more widely known for manufacturing tools, many American hardware companies of the 19th century also produced a wide range of cast metal household goods, including ornate desk sets, to supplement their primary business. The existence of similar pieces in their 1885 catalog suggests this inkstand is a product of that company, or at the very least, a contemporary American manufacturer of a similar style.