Silverplated Double Inkstand

This silver-plated inkstand is an example of Neo-Rococo (Rococo Revival) decorative art, a style that celebrated the ornate and asymmetrical aesthetics of the mid-18th century with 19th-century manufacturing precision.

Detailed Physical Description

• The Tray & Ornamentation: The stand is a masterwork of repoussé and chasing, techniques where the metal is hammered from the back and front to create high-relief patterns. The surface is a flowing arrangement of rocaille (shell-like) motifs, scrolling acanthus leaves, and dense floral garlands.
• Crystal Inkwells: Set symmetrically on the tray are two geometric cut-crystal ink bottles. The deep vertical and diagonal miter cuts are designed to play with light, contrasting with the metallic luster of the stand. Each bottle is topped with a heavy, hinged silver-plated lid that echoes the floral motifs of the base.
• Central Taper Holder: A unique and functional feature is the tall, central candle holder. Historically, this was used to hold a taper candle for melting sealing wax, an essential part of the 19th-century letter-writing ritual.
• The Base & Feet: The foundation of the piece shows extraordinary detail:
  • Scalloped Shell Corners: The four corners are anchored by large, stylized shells, a primary symbol of the Rococo movement.
  • Lion-like (Monopodium) Feet: The stand rests on four powerful feet that transition from scrolled foliate patterns into stylized animal paws.
  • Crest Medallions: On either side of the tray, there are blank shield-shaped medallions (cartouches). These were often left empty by the manufacturer so that the owner could have their family crest or initials custom-engraved.

Origin and Manufacturer

The overall design and the specific combination of crystal and silverplate are characteristic of Victorian England.

• Likely Origin: Birmingham or Sheffield, England. These cities were the global centers for “Old Sheffield Plate” and the later electroplating industry.
• Potential Maker: The quality of the casting and the elaborate base suggest a high-end maker such as Elkington & Co. or Dixon & Sons. Both firms were famous for their “Presentation Inkstands” that were often gifted as retirement or wedding presents.

Estimated Age

• Circa 1870–1890.
• This “High Victorian” period favored these large, theatrical desk suites. The complexity of the base suggests a date closer to 1875, when the industrial capability to cast such intricate lion-paw feet and shell motifs reached its peak.