Sterling Silver Combination Pen Wipe / Pen Holder

Description

• The Base & Pen Wipe: The piece features a circular, low-domed sterling silver base. Dead center is a recessed circular opening containing a tightly bundled tuft of stiff, upright black natural bristles. This served as a functional pen wipe for removing excess ink or debris from dip pen nibs.
• The Pen Rest: Spanning over the base is an openwork, wavy silver wire rack designed to hold writing instruments horizontally. The wirework terminates in graceful, scrolled loops—four along the elevated back rail and two at the mounting points on the front—creating a stylized, secure cradle for multiple pens.
• The Underside: The bottom of the piece is fitted with a dark, textured leather protective pad.
• Hallmarks: Stamped clearly on the front upper slope of the dome, the piece carries a full set of British hallmarks:
  • P&C LTD in a multi-lobed cartouche (the maker’s mark for Porter & Coulthard Ltd).
  • An Anchor, representing the Birmingham Assay Office.
  • A Lion Passant, certifying the British standard for sterling silver (.925 purity).
  • The lowercase date letter m in a shield, designating the year 1911.

History of the Maker: Porter & Coulthard Ltd.

Porter & Coulthard Ltd was a British manufacturing silversmithing firm active in Birmingham during the early 20th century.

The company officially registered its distinct P&C LTD punch with the Birmingham Assay Office in June 1911, making this specific combination pen wipe one of the earliest pieces produced under their registered corporate mark.

Operating in Birmingham’s historic Jewelry Quarter, Porter & Coulthard Ltd specialized primarily in small, high-quality sterling silver wares, small hollowware, and novelties. Surviving examples of their craftsmanship from the Edwardian and pre-WWI era include pierced swing-handle bonbon baskets, footed bowls, decorative spoons, and specialized writing desk accoutrements like this rest. Their work exemplifies the neat, lightweight, and highly functional silver novelties that were popular gifts during the late Edwardian period.