Inkstand London 1880 by John Braishier

A shaped oval foliate bordered Victorian two bottle inkstand or standish with taperstick for melting the sealing wax. Pounce pots seen on earlier inks were abandoned by about 1820 due to advances in glossy paper manufacture and by the time this ink was produced, steel-nib pens would have replaced quill pens. All the various silver elements are hallmarked and there are minor chips to the glass bottles. The ink is engraved with presentation inscription to "Mr John Northwood" by the "Employees of Messrs Johnson Matthey & Co" after fifty years of service. Johnson Matthey are still in business today (chemicals and precious metals) and are listed on the London Stock Exchange! It measures 10.5" (27cm) across and 7.5" (19cm) deep.