Antique Art Nouveau style silver inkstand

Lovely antique two-bottle silver inkstand with raised, bead edge border and an indentation for a pen. The silver inkstand is mounted on four Art Nouveau style legs - an ornamental style of art that flourished between about 1890 and 1910 throughout Europe and the United States and characterised by long, sinuous, organic lines. The original glass inkwells are fitted with silver mounts and lids.

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.