18th/19th Century Antique English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand

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Description

A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless … Read more A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless elegance and sophisticated style the period in known for. Signed, Boulton's double sunburst mark to verso, flanking unknown third cross form hallmark, likely a retailer.

Masterfully crafted, this inkstand exemplifies the craftsman’s attention to detail, exceptional quality and eye for design. Dating to the late 18th century, possibly early 19th century, featuring double inkwells, both retaining the original cut crystal glass ink bottles with fitted shaped silver plate cap, flanking a taperstick holder - chamberstick used to hold a lit candle for both writing at night by candlelight and for heating sealing wax, set atop a circular pounce pot which held a fine sand for absorbing excess ink, altogether on a tray stand of rounded rectangular form, gracefully shaped, with scalloped edge decorated in ornate shell and swag ornamentation, having a partner desk style pen depression on both long sides, protruding shell form handles to the short sides, all elegantly rising on four short shell adorned scroll bracket feet. Features a high quality and innovative design to the underside with two removeable pins that release the fitted inserts. circa 1785-1805; England

Provenance:
A very well appointed Brook Hills Circle, White Plains, NY estate. The owner had aquired a beautifully curated selection of fine antique European furniture and rare decorative arts.

Dimensions: (approx)

History:
The most renowned silversmith of Birmingham, England, Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) was known largely as an esteemed English - British inventor and entrepreneur, particularly for his innovative achievements in silver plating. After his partial retirement in 1800, and death in 1809, Matthew Boulton's son, Matthew Robinson Boulton (1770-1842) had taken over the family business. Works by both Boulton's, especially those displaying wonderful design and craftsmanship such as this inkstand, are among the finest of Old Sheffield plate and are most desirable, and can be found in the finest museums worldwide.

Boulton founded Soho Manufacturing with partner John Fothergill. He was well known for establishing assay offices in Birmingham and Sheffield. Originally a major impediment to Boulton's work was the lack of a regional assay office. The silver items made by the family firm had to be sent over 70 miles to the nearest assay office, at Chester, or even further at London, to be assayed and hallmarked, then returned, all at great cost financially and putting the business owner at risk of damage or loss, largely due to 18th century travel and common robbery, additionalaly it exposed them to the risk of being copied by competitors.

Boulton petitioned Parliament for the establishment of an assay office in Birmingham. Though the petition was bitterly opposed by London goldsmiths, he was successful in getting Parliament to pass an act establishing assay offices in Birmingham and Sheffield, whose silversmiths had faced similar difficulties in transporting their wares.

Boulton founded Soho Mint, to which he soon adapted steam power. He sought to improve the poor state of Britain's coinage, and after severral years of effort obtained a contract in 1797 to produce the first British copper coinage in a quarter century. His "cartwheel" pieces were well-designed and difficult to counterfeit, and included the first striking of the large copper British penny, which continued to be coined until decimalisation in 1971. See less