A George II Rococo Inkstand , 1749

Weight: 52oz (1617.20gr)

Length: 12.25in (31.1cm)

This sterling silver inkstand, crafted in London in 1749 by the accomplished silversmith Thomas Gilpin, embodies the elegance and refinement characteristic of mid-eighteenth-century silver. Its design reflects both the functional necessities of a writer’s desk and the decorative sensibilities of the Georgian era, when even the most utilitarian objects were expected to exhibit artistry and craftsmanship.

The inkstand’s rectangular tray rests on four finely shaped feet, each subtly ornamented to complement the overall form. The chased decoration, composed of scrolling foliate motifs and soft, flowing curves, displays the Rococo influence that was then sweeping through English decorative arts. These engraved patterns do not merely embellish the tray; they animate it, giving the silver a sense of movement and lightness despite its inherent solidity.

Set upon the tray are three principal components, each individually decorated yet harmoniously related. The two cylindrical containers, likely intended as an inkwell and a pounce pot, are adorned with matching engraved patterns. Their lids, one pierced with larger apertures and the other with a delicate lattice of smaller holes, confirm their respective purposes, one for holding ink and the other for dispensing pounce, a fine powder once used to dry ink and prepare paper for writing. Between them stands a beautiful matching bell. The long, recessed compartments on the tray likely served as pen rests, practical yet integral to the symmetry of the composition.

Thomas Gilpin’s work is prized for its precision and refinement, and this inkstand exemplifies his mastery. Its blend of utility, embellishment, and balanced proportion speaks to an era in which writing was an art, and the tools of writing were themselves objects of beauty. More than a simple container for ink and implements, it stands as a testament to Georgian craftsmanship and the cultural value placed on elegance in everyday life.