The CAPITOL Washington D.C.

The two inkstands pictured are miniature architectural models of the United States Capitol, complete with their original inserts.

Description

• Exterior Architecture: The lid features a detailed, embossed depiction of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., complete with the central dome, neoclassical porticos, symmetrical wings, and stairs leading up to the entrances. The front lid is embossed with the text “THE CAPITOL WASHINGTON D.C.”
• Base and Embossed Motifs: The lower body of the box rests on four ornate, scroll-footed corners. Its sides are adorned with embossed structural landmarks and scenic grounds.
• Interior and Function: The hinged lid opens to reveal a gold-toned interior compartment holding two removable glass inserts.

Manufacturer: Jennings Brothers

The piece is marked on the bottom with J.B. 1811.

• The Maker: The Jennings Brothers Manufacturing Company was a prominent metal foundry established in Bridgeport, Connecticut, operating from roughly 1890/1891 until the early 1950s. They were widely known for their high-quality decorative metalwork, art pieces, and novelty items finished in bronze and ormolu.

• Catalog Number Progression: Research tracks Jennings Brothers’ chronological output through their model numbers. Lower numbers (like model numbers in the double digits or low hundreds) trace back to the late 1890s, while numbers pushing past 1500 and into the 1800s generally reflect designs introduced during the 1910s through the 1920s.
• The Souvenir Boom: Commemorative items and architectural desk sets featuring landmark structures—particularly Washington, D.C. tourist pieces—saw a massive surge in popularity during the early 20th century. This coincided with a period of expanded American tourism and national civic pride following World War I.
• Manufacturing Window: Given that Jennings Brothers operated from roughly 1890 to the early 1950s, a mold number as high as 1811 places this piece squarely in the 1910s to 1920s (circa 1910–1925).

Identification of the Embossed Buildings & Fountain

In addition to the U.S. Capitol on the top lid, the embossed friezes along the lower sides of the base depict other prominent Washington, D.C. landmarks and landscape features:

1. The White House: One of the side panels features a distinct, detailed architectural rendering of the White House (the executive mansion’s north or south facade).
2. The Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building): Another side panel depicts a grand, multi-bay historic building characterized by classical rooflines and architectural detailing matching the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
3. The Bartholdi Fountain (or Capitol Grounds Fountain): A third panel showcases a large, ornate tiered fountain surrounded by trees and pathways, representing the famous ornamental park fountains found on the Capitol grounds (such as the historic Bartholdi Fountain, which was prominently located in the Botanic Garden near the Capitol during this era).