Silver Inkstand with Thermometer

This inkstand features a central column housing a thermometer and a broad, leaf-like base.

• Material: The piece is made of .800 silver, as indicated by the “800” hallmark. This mark signifies a silver purity of 800 parts per 1000, which is a standard lower than sterling silver (.925) but was commonly used in Continental Europe, particularly in Germany. The central column is made of brass with a silver outer sleeve.
• Design:
  • Base: The base is shaped like a large, ruffled leaf or flower petal, with deeply engraved veins and a scalloped edge. This naturalistic motif is characteristic of late 19th-century styles like Art Nouveau or Jugendstil.
  • Inkwells: Two clear crystal glass inkwells are set into the base with glass stems. They have a fluted or ribbed design and are topped with separate, detailed silver lids having a tiered, decorative pattern.
  • Central Column with Thermometer: The central feature is a column that houses a thermometer. The thermometer inside the column uses the Réaumur scale. This scale, with its freezing point at 0° and boiling point at 80°, was used in parts of Europe until the 20th century.
  • Finial: Capping the central column is a silver eagle with outstretched wings, perched on a branch. The detail on the bird’s feathers is fine.
  • Marks: Impressed in the base is the .800 silver mark, along with what appears to be a crescent moon and crown symbol, which is the official German state mark for silver post-1886. The “K” and another mark before the 800 might identify the maker, but cannot find a reference to confirm.

Estimated Age and Manufacturer

• Age: The combination of the .800 silver mark, the German crescent moon and crown hallmark, and the design aesthetics points to a specific period. The German hallmark for silver (crescent moon and crown) was introduced in 1886. This mark, along with the naturalistic, flowing lines of the base, suggests the inkstand was made sometime between 1886 and the early 1900s.