Elkington & Co Victorian Inkwell 941/11

Description

This is a highly collectable silver-plated & copper and large disc-shaped Victorian inkwell which was made by Elkington & Co in Birmingham.
Elkington & Co. were one of the most important names in English silver and silver plate. The company was founded in Birmingham as a company of silversmiths in 1836,
In the 1830s they started experimenting with gilding techniques and creating patinas on metalware’s. This led to their development of a new patent for electroplating different metals onto a variety of metal surfaces (as we can see on this inkwell). Their metalware’s were never cheap and the company was given the Royal Warranty to design pieces for Queen Victoria and subsequent rulers.
This is a very fine piece of Victorian metalwork / electroplate. It has a very busy Neoclassical decoration all over the outer rim which features intricate images of Gods and Goddesses. The central image on the lid features Aurora who is shown driving the four horses pulling the chariot of the dawn.
It dates to around the 1850s - and the base is marked Elkington and has the impressed pattern number 941 and a stamped 11 at the bottom of the base
This inkwell is certainly in fantastic antique condition and will make a fine addition to your Victorian calligraphy collectables
Dimensions:
Diameter: 190mm.
Height: 40mm.