George III style 2-bottle silver inkstand

Antique, sterling silver inkstand in the George III style with two cut glass inkwells. The oval base of this Edwardian silver inkstand has a beaded border and hand-pierced decoration at either end. The bottle holding rings are beautifully pierced and engraved, and all sections are hallmarked including the nuts that hold the bottle holders in place.

In 16th century Europe writing was considered to be a lowly task, and the aristocracy and upper classes would employ the services of a scribe or scrivener to write on their behalf using a quill pen and ink.

From the 17th century onwards, as the gentry began to undertake writing themselves, inkwells and inkstands became an essential accessory in every upper-class household. Silver, often combined with glass or crystal, was the most popular material used for inkstands and as well as having a practical use, some became more imposing and elaborate, often turning into decorative pieces in their own right.