A late 19^th century silver ink well, upon a Chinese porcelain dish

The inkwell mount of conforming shape to the dish, with three compartments, the central one hinged, the other with a pull off lid each surmounted by a chased finial. Engraved decoration in the aesthetic style of stylised dragons and foliage to the base, the ink well sections with bamboo and insects, all against a satinised ground. The 19^th century porcelain dish with famille rose decoration of four figures to the front, and two bats opposite, the underside with six-character Tongzhi mark. Silver element with French Boar’s head mark for minimum 800 standard (post-1838).

Length – 20.7 cm / 8.15 inches

Silver weight – 217 grams / 6.98 ozt