Edward Barnard & Sons

An Magnificent Rococo Revival Inkstand

Maker’s Mark of Edward Barnard & Sons

London 1840

Length Handle to Handle: 37cm (14.5in)

Height:

Width: 23cm (9in)

Weight : Approximately 45oz (1400gr) - excluding the inkwells

Bears the crest of a Scottish Family, Robert Wardlaw-Ramsey

This impressive rococo revival inkstand was made in London in 1840 by the famous silversmiths, Edward Barnard & Sons who can trace their origins back all the way to 1722. In the 19th century, Edward Barnard & Sons became on of the most celebrated silversmiths producing some of the finest pieces of the period.

This inkstand is no exception. It is made in the rococo revival and naturalistic manner. The four cast feet are branches with leaves sprouting supporting the inkstand. The handles on either side are these beautiful cast shells supported by acanthus leaves. The inkwells are original cut crystal with silver lids in the form of a pumpkin. Then finally in the centre is a magnificent taper stick built up of cast acanthus leaves. This is removable to reveal a small well underneath where one would have kept the wax to seal the envelopes. Overall this is a remarkable example of the finest early Victorian silver being made in London.

An identical inkwell is illustrated in the book written on the history of Barnard silver, ‘House of Barnard, A Notable Family of Manufacturing Silversmiths to the Trade’.

Edward Barnard & Sons

The firm of Edward Barnard & Sons traced its origin back to Anthony Nelme (d. 1722) who established a silversmithing firm at Ave Maria Lane, in London, ca.1680. His son, Francis Nelme, took over the business on his death in 1722 and continued to run it until 1739 when Thomas Whipham (d. 1756) took over. On his death his son Thomas Whipham went into partnership with Charles Wright. In 1775 Whipham withdrew from the business and in 1786 Charles Wright amalgamated the firm with neighbouring silversmith Thomas Chawner and his son Henry Chawner. Thomas Chawner was the master of Edward Barnard (d. 1855) and on the amalgamation Edward Barnard became the foreman of the company. In 1796 Chawner took an engraver, John Emes, into partnership and when he retired Emes became the sole owner and Edward Barnard became the firm's manager. On Emes' death in 1808 Edward Barnard went into partnership with the widowed Rebecca Emes and Henry Chawner who acted as a sleeping partner. The firm traded as Emes & Barnard. Rebecca Emes withdrew from the business in 1829 and Edward Barnard became the proprietor together with his sons Edward Barnard (d. 1868), John Barnard and William Barnard (d. 1851), trading under the name Edward Barnard & Sons.

In 1838 the firm moved to new factory premises in Angel Street, London and in 1898 it again moved to Fetter Lane, London. It was a skilful and knowledgeable exponent of the Neoclassical and revived Rococo style and later traded mostly on an understanding of historicist form and ornament rather than producing contemporary twentieth century styles. The demand for military, sporting, presentation, ecclesiastical and municipal silver ware, of which Barnard's were a key producer, required this expertise in styles of the past. The company's clients included Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, Elkington & Co., Garrard & Co. and the Goldsmiths' Company. Edward Barnard & Sons became a limited company in 1910. From 1914 to 1924 the company also owned a factory in Northampton Street, Birmingham. In 1919 the company moved its London premises temporarily to Stonecutter Street, Farringdon Road before moving to Hatton Garden in 1920. In 1977 Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd became a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham Ltd and moved to Shacklewell Road in Hackney in 1991. The firm closed in 2003.