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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1122129
FOR SALE
£5,250
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A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, by Robert Hennell, London, 1857
Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €6,143     $6,668
£5,250
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, by Robert Hennell, London, 1857

19th century
Description

The base modelled as a leaf supporting a pomegranate inkwell, a pear bell and an apple wafer box, centred by a tree trunk taperstick/pen holder with extinguisher.

Dimensions 21.5cm, 8½in.

Weight 815gr., 26oz

Provenance, Christie's, London, 13 November 1963, lot 130

Private UK Collection

A similar example in plain silver is in the Victoria and albert Museum, London

Robert Hennell

The Hennell family was a silversmithing dynasty that spanned four generations. With registered marks spanning from 1725 until 1867. Founded by David Hennell under his own name, Hennell silverware was marked with a D.H sponsor's mark into the mid 18th century. In 1763, David's son Robert joined the business - known as Robert Hennell I - and by the 1770s the his own sponsor's mark was registered with the London assay office, with the company moving to Bloomsbury, London. Robert's son Samuel, and his nephew Robert Hennell II soon joined the family business, followed by Robert Hennell III (son of Robert Hennell II).

Creating spectacular silverware for over 140 years, this family business saw a phenomenal output and witnessed many changes in marks. Hennell silverware can be seen under the following sponsor's marks:

David Hennell - 1736-1762

Robert Hennell I - 1772-1804

Robert Hennell I and David Hennell II - 1795-1801

Robert Hennell I, David Hennell II & Samuel Hennell - 1801-1802

Robert Hennell I & Samuel Hennell - 1802-1810

Robert Hennell II - 1809-1832

Samuel Hennell - 1811-1823

Robert Hennell III - 1834-1867

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1122129
Description
The base modelled as a leaf supporting a pomegranate inkwell, a pear bell and an apple wafer box, centred by a tree trunk taperstick/pen holder with extinguisher.

Dimensions 21.5cm, 8½in.

Weight 815gr., 26oz

fig 1. A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.
fig 1. A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, by Robert Hennell, London, 1857

Provenance, Christie's, London, 13 November 1963, lot 130

Private UK Collection

A similar example in plain silver is in the Victoria and albert Museum, London

Robert Hennell

The Hennell family was a silversmithing dynasty that spanned four generations. With registered marks spanning from 1725 until 1867. Founded by David Hennell under his own name, Hennell silverware was marked with a D.H sponsor's mark into the mid 18th century. In 1763, David's son Robert joined the business - known as Robert Hennell I - and by the 1770s the his own sponsor's mark was registered with the London assay office, with the company moving to Bloomsbury, London.

“
Robert's son Samuel, and his nephew Robert Hennell II soon joined the family business, followed by Robert Hennell III (son of Robert Hennell II).
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 2. A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.
fig 2. A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, by Robert Hennell, London, 1857

Creating spectacular silverware for over 140 years, this family business saw a phenomenal output and witnessed many changes in marks. Hennell silverware can be seen under the following sponsor's marks:

fig 3. A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.
fig 3. A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, by Robert Hennell, London, 1857

David Hennell - 1736-1762

Robert Hennell I - 1772-1804

Robert Hennell I and David Hennell II - 1795-1801

Robert Hennell I, David Hennell II & Samuel Hennell - 1801-1802

Robert Hennell I & Samuel Hennell - 1802-1810

Robert Hennell II - 1809-1832

Samuel Hennell - 1811-1823

Robert Hennell III - 1834-1867

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1122129
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.
1 / 5
Archive I A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.

A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, By Robert Hennell, London, 1857

Archive II A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base. View II
Archive III A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base. View III
Archive IV A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base. View IV
Archive V A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 174
Items Sold 79
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
174
Sold
79
A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.
A Rare Victorian Silver Gilt Inkstand Apple, Pear and Pomegranate, By Robert Hennell, London, 1857
Ref: SA1122129
A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand set featuring three vessel containers shaped like an apple, a pear, and a pomegranate arranged on a leaf-shaped base.
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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FAQs

A Victorian silver-gilt inkstand is a decorative writing accessory produced during the 19th century, featuring sterling silver coated with a thin layer of gold. These desk sets were crafted to hold ink vessels, pens, and taper sticks.

Craftsmen formed the structural components from solid sterling silver using casting and hand-chasing techniques before applying a surface layer of gold through fire-gilding or electroplating. Botanical and naturalistic details were hand-engraved to create textured finishes.

Authentic pieces bear official British hallmark stamps indicating silver purity, the city assay mark, date letter, and registered makers mark. Original silver-gilt items display these hallmarks clearly beneath the gilded layer, often showing subtle silver exposure at high-wear points.

Place the inkstand on an executive office desk, console table, or library shelf as a central decorative object. Pairing warm gold tones with dark hardwood surfaces or saturated wall colours highlights its sculptural form.

Clean silver-gilt metalwork gently using a dry, non-abrasive cotton cloth and mild soapy water when necessary, avoiding abrasive silver polishes that remove the gilding. Ensure liquid ink residues are cleaned promptly to prevent long-term surface tarnish.
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