Sterling Silver Inkwell – Two Sets of Hallmarks

This is a Victorian-era sterling silver inkstand, a composite piece assembled from parts made at different times by different silversmiths. The inkstand features an inkwell set within a tray-like base, with distinct hallmarks indicating its history.

The inkstand is made of sterling silver (.925) and consists of an oval base with handles and a circular inkwell. The base has a simple, clean design with raised edges and two handles on the shorter sides. The inkwell itself is set into the base and features a hinged lid. The lid is engraved with a detailed family crest, but no monogram, which is a key detail suggesting a specific lineage rather than an individual’s initials.

The Hallmarks

The inkstand’s hallmarks tell the story of two different makers and two different production dates, which is not uncommon for silver items that were repaired, updated, or repurposed over time.

• The Base: The base bears hallmarks for London and the date letter for 1853. The maker’s mark is that of Andrew Fogelberg, a well-known silversmith from that period.
• The Lid: The hinged lid of the inkwell also has hallmarks for London, but it is marked with the date letter for 1859, a full six years after the base was made. The maker’s mark belongs to Samuel Whitford.

The presence of two different makers and dates suggests that the lid was likely a later addition or replacement. The owner may have wanted to change the original lid for a lid with the family crest. This is an excellent example of how hallmarks can provide a detailed history of a single piece of silver.