SILVER INKSTANDS
The main point about antique sterling silver inkstands is that everything must be marked. The main tray fully, and the separate pieces with the lion passant and possibly silver maker’s mark. Sometimes one can get away with the tops of the bottles not being marked, providing the sockets for the bottles are on inkstands of about 1760. However, a lot of inkstands have been made out of snuffer trays.
One or two silver inkstands are known which date from the Charles II period — however, even George I ones are so rare that at any given moment one would be unlikely to find one amongst the London dealers. I therefore show one or two George II examples and a representative selection of later ones which are commonly available.
Incidentally, one or more of the bottles have often been replaced. The colour and cut of a new one is quite different.
How much it matters really depends how much it shows when the inkstand is in use.
A typical early George II inkstand, although with the rare feature of the original bell. The baluster-shaped silver pots are also typical. All parts should be marked by silversmith marks.
This antique silver inkstand was made in 1751. It is fully marked, (with the exception of one top) even the candlestick, which is so often a replacement. An inkstand in this original condition is extremely rare.
A small gallery inkstand, about 1765. This is a common type. The base is fully marked, and should slide in channels so that it can be removed for cleaning, which is why the piercing is also marked. It is not absolutely essential for the bottle tops to be marked. It can have ball and claw or Chippendale feet.
The ultimate silver gallery inkstand. Like a piece of furniture, this has all the good points — serpentine sides, fine
Chippendale feet, fine size and quality.
Price Range:    £600 - £850
The upper inkstand is the 1770 - 1785 type, depending on the border. This is a later one, the earlier ones would be gadrooned with ball and claw or Chippendale feet. The `cages’ in which the bottles sit are held in position by a wire passing through lugs underneath, to allow easy cleaning. The cages must be marked, the tops should be. The other inkstand is about 1800. By this date, everything must be marked.
A boat-shaped inkstand about 1790, and a Regency one about 1815. The later examples normally have the taperstick on top of the central bottle.
A very unusual gilt circular inkstand about 1805. Everything is marked with silversmith marks, as you can see.
George IV Sheffield made inkstand. Ugly and clumsy. Sometimes very a large silver linkstand.