A Victorian sterling silver inkstand, Sheffield 1865 by Henry Wilkinson and Co

Of shaped oval form upon four shell and beaded bracket feet. The broad edge with pierced decoration of scrolls and beading. A dished well with engraved decoration and a crest of a first rate ship of war, with masts broken, rigging torn and in disorder, floating on the sea, with mott above Disce Pati. The central terrace with a detachable taperstick of hexagonal form with a inverted baluster stem and pull off hexalobed sconce, also fitted with two lift out cut clear glass globular inkwells, each with silver hinged domed hexalobed lids with beaded edges surmounted by a knop finial. Fully marked underneath. Fully marked underneath, part-marked to the taperstick, scone, inkwell necks, retaining rings and foot mounts, the lid unmarked.

Length – 31 cm / 12.5 inches

Weight – 608 grams / 19.55 ozt

The crest and motto are for Duncan, as borne by the Earls of Camperdown

For Adam Haldane-Duncan, 2nd Earl of Camperdown (1812 – 1867), styled Viscount Duncan between 1831 and 1859. Thence by descent.