Stamped Brass Floral Inkstand

This is a common and functional type of mass-produced inkstand that was popular at the turn of the 20th century.

• Overall Form: A rectangular desk tray serving as the base for a single inkwell.
• Material and Construction: It is made of thin sheet brass. It is stamped, meaning the metal was placed between dies and pressed, creating the decorative relief and the shape of the tray quickly and cheaply. This is a common manufacturing technique for utilitarian wares of this period.
• Decoration: The decoration consists primarily of floral garlands (swags and ribbons) and stylized scrolling leaves that frame the central inkwell. The overall aesthetic is ornate, but the detail is shallow due to the stamping process. The edge of the tray is finished with a scalloped border.
• Functionality:
  • Pen Tray: The main surface of the stamped metal serves as a rest for pens.
  • Pen Holder: The floral garlands have a place to hold a pen.
  • Inkwell: The inkwell is clear glass and sits directly into an opening in the metal frame. The glass well is covered by a hinged brass lid with stamped floral decoration.

Age and Origin Estimate

• Origin: The style and manufacturing technique (mass-produced stamped brass) suggest a likely origin in Germany (Pforzheim or Hanau regions), France, or possibly the United States (Connecticut Valley). These centers mass-produced countless desk accessories for the global market.
• Age Estimate: Based on the popularity of stamped brass wares and the transitional floral style: circa 1890 – 1915