James W. Tufts Figural Inkwell (Military Motif)

Detailed Description

• Overall Form: A single figural inkwell on a three-lobed or trefoil shaped base. The primary design feature is the depiction of three long arms (rifles or muskets) crossed over a central military drum.
• Material: Quadruple Plate (Silverplate). The mark “Warranted Quadruple Plate” indicates that the piece is made of a base metal (Britannia metal or nickel silver) thickly electroplated with four layers of silver—a common guarantee of quality for American silverplate manufacturers in the late 19th century.
• Inkwell Components:
  • Reservoir: The main ink pot is concealed within the drum.
  • Lid: The top of the drum functions as a separate, lift-off lid to access the ink reservoir inside.
• Design/Motif: The motif of three crossed long arms and a drum is a specific Military Trophy design, symbolizing military service, war, or patriotism.

Maker Information: James W. Tufts

• The Company: James W. Tufts (active 1875–1915) was a prominent American manufacturer of silverplate in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Specialty: Tufts was famous for producing a wide array of decorative, novelty, and figural silverplate items, including tableware, desk sets, and particularly, unique ice cream serving pieces and ice water pitchers.
• Marks:
  • “James W. Tufts – Boston – Warranted Quadruple Plate – 2875”: This is the standard Tufts mark. The number 2875 is the pattern or model number assigned to this specific inkwell design.
  • 4-point star with a “T”: This star mark is a secondary trademark used by the James W. Tufts firm.

The Military Motif: Age and Context

1. Late 19th-Century Patriotism: The late 19th century was characterized by strong patriotic sentiment and a fascination with military aesthetics, often incorporating elements of both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War (which was frequently commemorated).
2. The Motif: The arrangement of the crossed rifles and the drum is a classic military trophy arrangement often used by veterans’ organizations, fraternal groups (like the Grand Army of the Republic, or GAR), and in general patriotic home furnishings of the time. The arms depicted are typical late 19th-century infantry rifles, not the more simplified flintlock muskets of the Revolutionary War.

Assessment: Given the manufacturer’s active dates, this piece was made to appeal to the popular patriotism and military revival prevalent in the United States between 1875 and 1900. While it honors the spirit of American military history generally, it is likely intended to evoke the Post-Civil War era and the general pride in the armed forces rather than commemorating a single event.

Age Estimate

Based on the mark and the style of the silverplate design: circa 1880 – 1900