Superb & RARE antique English hallmarked sterling silver & brilliant cut crystal 8.5" wide double desk top inkwell with front convex pen tray and stunning, deeply wheel cut design in the base! WOW! I know I'm not supposed to use 'wow' but that's the first thing that comes to mind when you look at and hold this one in your hands. The sterling tops nothing too frilly but in thick old English sterling silver. It's the size, the fact that it's a double and the way it shimmers that really gets you. London hallmarks with a date letter for 1910, the silversmith mark is slightly obscured but appears to be for George Betjenmann & Sons. The firm was founded in 1851 by George Betjenmann and became George Betjenmann & Sons in 1858 (the sons were George William and John) until 1939. A truly magnificent, unique and rare inkwell here, don't miss it!
Very good condition. The crystal is slightly less that 'crystal' clear, with a bit of a grayish-tan tint if that describes it. If I remember correctly, there are two tiny dings to the silver tops. Oh, and this one even has inner glass ink pots, they're usually one of the first things to get lost or broken. A beautiful piece. See pictures for all measurements.
