Scottish Silver and Frosted Glass Inkstand

Description

A fine and elegant mid-Victorian Scottish silver and glass inkstand, hallmarked in Edinburgh for 1871 by William Marshall & Son.

• The Stand: Crafted with a circular, heavily domed base raised on three ball feet, featuring rich repoussé and chased floral scrolls, repeating geometric stampings, and a delicate beaded rim. The central collar houses the inkwell.
• The Inkwell: Composed of a heavy, brilliantly cut clear and frosted glass body with classic star-cut hobnail motifs around the base.
• The Silver Mount & Lid: Fitted with a matching hallmarked silver collar and a tiered, domed hinged lid richly embellished with chased foliate engraving, crowned by a distinct spherical finial supported by acanthus leaf prongs.

Manufacturer / Maker

The maker’s mark WM represents the prominent Edinburgh silversmith firm William Marshall & Son (active throughout the 19th century as goldsmiths and silversmiths, later serving as jewelers to the Queen).

Hallmarks Breakdown

The hallmarks visible on both the stand and the inkwell components confirm Scottish sterling silver assayed in Edinburgh during the Victorian era:

• Maker’s Mark: WM (encased in a shaped punch) for William Marshall & Son.
• Town Mark: The Three-Towered Castle, designating the Edinburgh Assay Office.
• Standard Mark: The Thistle, indicating Scottish sterling silver (925 fineness).
• Duty Mark: The Head of Queen Victoria, denoting payment of the sovereign’s duty.
• Date Letter: The letter P corresponds to the assay year 1871–1872.