Inkipedia
Jennings Brothers (JB) Inkstand – Pattern No. 1605
| Categories | Bronze - Brass - Copper |
| Material | Brass |
| Markings | J B 1605 |
| Manufacturer | Jennings Brothers |
| Origin | United States |
| Date or Era | circa 1910 |
| Measuring | 3 ¼” across; 3 ½” high |
Detailed Description
- Maker and Mark: Jennings Brothers (JB), marked with the pattern number 1605.
- Style: The piece is rendered in a Neo-Classical or Classical Revival style, which was very popular for desk accessories in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This style emphasizes symmetry, decorative motifs drawn from antiquity (Greece and Rome), and architectural elements.
- Material and Finish: The inkstand is made of cast spelter metal.
- Form and Layout: This is a single inkwell with a place for pens in the front.
- The Base: The front section of the base is shallowly recessed, forming a pen rest.
- Inkwell Section: The main body rises from the base and is decorated with prominent scrollwork (volutes), acanthus leaves, and geometric friezes (like a Greek key pattern or bead-and-reel molding).
- Inkwell and Lid: The inkwell has a hinged decorated lid, and holds a milk glass insert.
The Jennings Brothers Manufacturing Company
Jennings Brothers (J.B. Mfg. Co.) was a significant American manufacturer of decorative metal goods.
History and Production
| Detail | Description |
| Foundation | Established in Bridgeport, Connecticut, circa 1891-1892 by the Jennings family. |
| Focus | Produced a wide array of high-quality metal decorative arts and utilitarian items, including bookends, statuary, clocks, lamps, and, importantly, desk sets and inkwells. |
| Materials | Predominantly used spelter (a zinc-based alloy, sometimes called white metal) for casting, which was then coated with a finish to resemble bronze, copper, brass, or silver. |
| Style | Known for reproducing popular styles of the time, including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Egyptian Revival, making their work highly marketable. |
| Dating | The company marked many items with the “JB” logo and a pattern number (as with 1605). The company was most active and prolific between the 1890s and the 1930s. |
Pattern Number 1605
- Age Estimate: Given the company’s peak production years and the Classical Revival style of this inkwell, a dating of circa 1900–1920 is appropriate.
Sold for $40 in October 2025
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