An inkstand is a stand or tray used to hold various writing instruments, often including a capped inkwell and a sand shaker for rapid drying.
Silver was the most popular material used for inkstands during the eighteenth century. A stand often of a rectangular form supporting three or more pots for ink and one for cleaning purposes. To accommodate a quill, wells were often incorporated into the design of the stand.
As the art of writing spread across the world, containers for ink became vital. Feather pens were eventually replaced with fountain pens, but ink was still essential.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Art Nouveau movement welcomed the use of elegant feminine shapes and flora and fauna across all mediums of art and design.
With the dawn of the Victorian era, and the advent of rail travel; many dressing cases were fitted with small silver travelling inkwells.
Here at William Walter Antiques, we have a good selection of inkstands that would grace any desk.
