Sterling Silver Inkstand

Early Victorian sterling silver inkstand with silver mounted cut glass inkwell. The ornate stand sits on four claw and ball feet. The central square base is surrounded by pierced scrollwork and the scalloped rim is decorated with clusters of roses. The cut glass inkwell is pyramid-shaped with a square silver hinged lid.

The ink stand was made in Sheffield by Henry Wilkinson & Co and dates to 1851. Henry Wilkinson entered his first mark at the Sheffield assay office in 1831, although the family had been producing Old Sheffield Plate for several years prior to that. They made good quality silverware and electroplated items. The firm presented their wares at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and opened a London showroom in 1857. In 1892 the business was bought by Walker & Hall.

The hallmarks, on the underside of the base and the rim of the collar, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crown assay mark for Sheffield, the date letter H for 1851, the Queen Victoria duty mark and the H W & Co makers’ mark for Henry Wilkinson & Co.