Object Description
A mid 19th century (circa 1860) tortoiseshell and inlaid brass desk stand or inkstand in the Napoleon III style.
This piece consists of a tortoiseshell desk stand with intricate foliate Boulle decoration of engraved brass inlaid into a red tortoiseshell ground, the decoration to the top, sides and back.
The two original heavy cut-glass inkwells with decorative brass tops stand either side of a central compartment with lid with an ornately decorated brass handle above with a pen tray to either side, making this ideal for use on a partner’s desk but equally a great addition to any desk or writing table.
This leads to a solid brass edge with a drawer below, also profusely inlaid with Boulle work, with decorative brass edge below, all supported on four brass ball feet.
We have found an interesting handwritten inscription to the underneath of the drawer stating the inkwell was ‘purchased by Sir Eustace Gurney (1886-1927) of Sprowston Hall in 1916 at the Walsingham Abbey furniture sale in 1916 and given to his wife Anne Agatha Gurney’ and that it always ‘stood on the Drawing Room writing table in the big square drawing room’.
Sir Eustace Gurney was Mayor or Norwich, Norfolk and Sprowston & Little Walsingham, Norfolk, Sprowston Hall is now a popular hotel known as Sprowston Manor hotel, golf and country club.
This piece is in very good original condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or office.