Antique Victorian Sterling Silver & Glass Inkstand / Desk Standish

Exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian inkstand / desk standish, in sterling silver, has a rectangular shaped form. This 19th century inkstand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf decoration and floral motifs. The surface of this exceptional example of antique silverware incorporates two plain elongated oval recesses, composing pen wells. This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive embossed bracket style feet embellished with scrolling ornamentation, in a fleur-de-lis style design. The body of the inkstand incorporates two square ink bottle receivers to either side of a circular well for the taperstick; these inset receivers allow for each piece to stand securely in situ. The impressive glass ink bottles each have a square form, ornamented with cut glass decoration. The upper portion of each ink bottle retains the original hallmarked mount and hinged cover ornamented with further bright cut engraved foliate decoration, surmounted with a ball style finial. The sterling silver taperstick has a hexagonal form with a collet rim to the base. The waisted panelled capital is ornamented with stylised stellate designs, accented with a moulded border to the original detachable sconce. The panelled baluster shaped column and spreading food of this antique taperstick is ornamented with further bright cut engraved foliate designs. Dimensions Inkstand Length 25.3cm/10" Width 17.1cm/6.7" Height 14.3cm/5.6" Height of stand 3.8cm/1.5" Ink Bottle Width 4.4cm/1.7" square Height 8.6cm/3.4" Taperstick Height 11cm/4.3" Diameter of sconce 2.8cm/1.1" Weight 17.9 troy ounces/556g (excluding glass ink bottles) Maker: Walter & John Barnard Date: 1881 Origin: London, England