A most eye catching large and highly decorative early 19th century Sheffield plate ink stand standing on four bold lion''s paw feet. The stand comprises of two pen trays with a fitted centre section with two cut glass bottles with plated tops, one for ink and the other for sand. In the centre is a taper stick holder which would be used for illumination and melting sealing wax for letters. This lifts up to reveal a lower container for seals and wax and originally would have had a small side candle snuffer, now missing. This highly elaborate centrepiece for a desk is decorated throughout with borders of raised cast foliate and flower embossing. It does show some signs of a possible old repair around two of the feet, which are barely noticeable and fully functional. A wonderful and rare large Sheffield plate inkstand with very little signs of wear to the thick original plating and in good very usable condition.English circa 1820Height 15cm x width 44cm x depth 25cmRobert B...