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Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911
Sold by Julie Cartwright Antiques
sold SA1182080
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Julie Cartwright Antiques

Julie Cartwright Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2009
Browse dealers 128 items
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Id #SA1182080
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Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911

1900 - 1920
Sold 8 February 2026 · Julie Cartwright Antiques
This “Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911” found a buyer.

It was listed by Julie Cartwright Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

This exquisite silver and dual coloured enamelled silver capstan inkwell is dated Birmingham 1911. The hinged silver lid mounted on a spread circular base. The cover inset with a pale lilac engine-turned guilloche enamel background and surrounded by an elegant silver rimmed white border. Of traditional Capstan form, it is very elegant elegant. Complete with the original inner glass receptacle.

Loaded spread circular body lined with black Morocco leather.

Gilt inner lid.

Hallmarks:

Maker's marks erased.

Birmingham Assay Mark.

Lion Passant.

Date letter "m" for 1911.

Condition:

Very good.

The enamel is in very good condition.

The hinge is good and strong.

Silver base with no dings.

Dimensions:

Height: 4cm / 1.4 inches.

Diameter of base: 7.5cm / 3 inches.

Delivery:

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ADD POSTAGE AT CHECKOUT.

Postage UK: £5 Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Postage overseas: £20 International Signed For.

Postage USA (including US import duties): £45.00

You can pay by PayPal, bank transfer, cheque, debit or credit card.

To pay by PAYPAL please add P&P and click on button below.

To pay by credit or debit card over the phone or by cheque, please contact me on 01449 760 585.

Physical Dimensions
Height
4.5cm (1.77")
Width
7.5cm (2.95")
Depth
7.5cm (2.95")
Declaration

Julie Cartwright Antiques has dated this Silver Guiloche Enamel Inkwell to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1182080
Dealers Internal Reference
NOVE66
Description
This exquisite silver and dual coloured enamelled silver capstan inkwell is dated Birmingham 1911. The hinged silver lid mounted on a spread circular base.
“
The cover inset with a pale lilac engine-turned guilloche enamel background and surrounded by an elegant silver rimmed white border.
Julie Cartwright Antiques

Of traditional Capstan form, it is very elegant elegant. Complete with the original inner glass receptacle.

fig 1. An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid.
fig 1. Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911

Loaded spread circular body lined with black Morocco leather.

Gilt inner lid.

Hallmarks:

Maker's marks erased.

Birmingham Assay Mark.

Lion Passant.

Date letter "m" for 1911.

Condition:

Very good.

The enamel is in very good condition.

fig 2. An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid.
fig 2. Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911

The hinge is good and strong.

Silver base with no dings.

Dimensions:

Height: 4cm / 1.4 inches.

Diameter of base: 7.5cm / 3 inches.

Delivery:

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ADD POSTAGE AT CHECKOUT.

Postage UK: £5 Royal Mail Tracked 24.

fig 3. An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid.
fig 3. Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911

Postage overseas: £20 International Signed For.

Postage USA (including US import duties): £45.00

You can pay by PayPal, bank transfer, cheque, debit or credit card.

To pay by PAYPAL please add P&P and click on button below.

To pay by credit or debit card over the phone or by cheque, please contact me on 01449 760 585.

Height
4.5cm (1.77")
Width
7.5cm (2.95")
Depth
7.5cm (2.95")
Date of Manufacture

Julie Cartwright Antiques has dated this Silver Guiloche Enamel Inkwell to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1182080
Dealers Internal Ref
NOVE66
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2009
Dealer Profile

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

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SAVE
An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 5
Archive I An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Delightful Silver & Dual Colour Guilloche Enamel Small Capstan Inkwell, Birmingham 1911

Archive II An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid. View II
Archive III An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid. View III
Archive IV An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid. View IV
Archive V An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07947 998435
Location
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jc
Verified Since Jun 2009
Items For Sale 128
Items Sold 2,213
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
Verified
Jun 2009
For Sale
128
Sold
2,213
An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid.
DELIGHTFUL SILVER & DUAL COLOUR GUILLOCHE ENAMEL SMALL CAPSTAN INKWELL, BIRMINGHAM 1911
Ref: SA1182080
An overhead view of a small circular silver capstan inkwell featuring a purple engine-turned guiloche enamel lid.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectInkwells
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleEdwardian
  • MaterialSterling Silver, Enamel
  • ColourSilver and Purple
  • MotifsCapstan profile, Engine-turned guilloche pattern, Hinged lid, Hallmarked rim
  • SizeH 4.5 cm (2 in) x W 7.5 cm (3 in) x D 7.5 cm (3 in)

Guiloche enamel involves engraving a precise, intricate geometric pattern onto metal, usually silver, which is then covered with a translucent layer of enamel, allowing the pattern to show through. This technique gained immense popularity during the Edwardian period for luxury desk accessories and vanity items.

Capstan inkwells are typically constructed from solid sterling silver or plated metals, shaped in a distinctive flared silhouette resembling a nautical capstan used for hoisting anchors. They frequently feature weighted bases filled with plaster or resin to provide stability on a desk surface, often fitted with glass or ceramic internal wells.

Authentic pieces generally feature clear British hallmarks stamped directly onto the metal, indicating the assay office, silver standard, and date letter. Enamel should be inspected closely with a loupe for signs of age-appropriate surface wear, crazing, or repairs, as genuine pieces from the early 20th century exhibit hand-worked engine turning under the translucent glass layer.

An antique silver inkwell can serve as a sophisticated accent piece on an office desk, mantelpiece, or bookshelf, adding a touch of metallic texture and historical contrast. Pairing it with contemporary minimalist stationery or placing it atop a stack of leather-bound books bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern interior aesthetics.

Silver components should be gently cleaned with a specialist non-abrasive microfibre cloth, avoiding harsh chemical dips that can damage fragile enamel or inner weighted bases. Enamel surfaces must be kept away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature fluctuations, and moisture to prevent fading or lifting.
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