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ID #SA1223622
FOR SALE
£245
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Large Edwardian Silver & Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell by Henry Matthews, Birmingham 1910
For sale by Julie Cartwright Antiques
for sale €287     $311
£245
Julie Cartwright Antiques

Julie Cartwright Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2009
Browse dealers 126 items
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Id #SA1223622
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Large Edwardian Silver & Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell by Henry Matthews, Birmingham 1910

1900 - 1920
Description

This superb silver and pique tortoiseshell capstan inkwell is dated Birmingham 1910 and bears the marks of the renowned Henry Matthews. The hinged silver lid with pique tortoiseshell medallion within a ribbon-tied border. The spread circular base with conforming ribbon-tied reeded border. Of traditional Capstan form, it is very elegant with its classical inspired motifs. Complete with the original inner ink receptacle. Loaded spread circular body lined with green felt.

Hallmarks:

HM for Henry Matthews.

Date letter "l" for 1910.

Birmingham Assay mark.

Lion passant.

Condition:

Good to average.

The tortoiseshell medallion is in good conditionbut a little dull with age.

The hinge is good and strong.

Silver base with minor dings.

Dimensions:

Height: 6cm / 2.2 inches.

Diameter of base: 12.5cm / 5 inches.

Delivery:

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ADD POSTAGE AT CHECKOUT.

Postage UK: £5 Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Postage overseas: £25 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
6cm (2.36")
Width
12.5cm (4.92")
Depth
12.5cm (4.92")
Declaration

Julie Cartwright Antiques has dated this Silver Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1223622
Dealers Internal Reference
JUIL88
Description
This superb silver and pique tortoiseshell capstan inkwell is dated Birmingham 1910 and bears the marks of the renowned Henry Matthews. The hinged silver lid with pique tortoiseshell medallion within a ribbon-tied border. The spread circular base with conforming ribbon-tied reeded border. Of traditional Capstan form, it is very elegant with its classical inspired motifs. Complete with the original inner ink receptacle. Loaded spread circular body lined with green felt.
fig 1. An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.
fig 1. Large Edwardian Silver & Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell by Henry Matthews, Birmingham 1910

Hallmarks:

HM for Henry Matthews.

Date letter "l" for 1910.

Birmingham Assay mark.

Lion passant.

Condition:

Good to average.

The tortoiseshell medallion is in good conditionbut a little dull with age.

The hinge is good and strong.

fig 2. An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.
fig 2. Large Edwardian Silver & Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell by Henry Matthews, Birmingham 1910

Silver base with minor dings.

Dimensions:

Height: 6cm / 2.2 inches.

Diameter of base: 12.5cm / 5 inches.

Delivery:

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ADD POSTAGE AT CHECKOUT.

Postage UK: £5 Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Postage overseas: £25 International Signed For.

fig 3. An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.
fig 3. Large Edwardian Silver & Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell by Henry Matthews, Birmingham 1910

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
6cm (2.36")
Width
12.5cm (4.92")
Depth
12.5cm (4.92")
Date of Manufacture

Julie Cartwright Antiques has dated this Silver Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1223622
Dealers Internal Ref
JUIL88
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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An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.
1 / 6
Archive I An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.

Large Edwardian Silver & Tortoiseshell Capstan Inkwell by Henry Matthews, Birmingham 1910

Archive II An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs. View II
Archive III An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs. View III
Archive IV An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs. View IV
Archive V An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs. View V
Archive VI An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Julie Cartwright Antiques

Julie Cartwright Antiques
Telephone 07947 998435
Location
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jc
Verified Since Jun 2009
Items For Sale 126
Items Sold 2,213
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jc
Verified
Jun 2009
For Sale
126
Sold
2,213
An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.
LARGE EDWARDIAN SILVER & TORTOISESHELL CAPSTAN INKWELL BY HENRY MATTHEWS, BIRMINGHAM 1910
Ref: SA1223622
An Edwardian sterling silver capstan inkwell featuring a circular tortoiseshell lid inlaid with silver urn and garland motifs.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectInkwells
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleEdwardian
  • MaterialSterling Silver, Tortoiseshell
  • ColourSilver, Dark Brown
  • MotifsCapstan shape, Tortoiseshell pique inlay, Urn motif, Reeded border
  • SizeH 6 cm (2 in) x W 12.5 cm (5 in) x D 12.5 cm (5 in)

This Edwardian sterling silver and tortoiseshell capstan inkwell dates to 1910, bearing the Birmingham hallmarks of Henry Matthews. The traditional capstan form includes a spread circular base and a hinged silver lid centred with a dark brown tortoiseshell medallion, which is inlaid with silver pique urn and garland motifs. Ribbon-tied reeded borders embellish both the lid and the base, complemented by classical-inspired silver mouldings. The loaded base is lined with green felt on the underside and contains the original inner ink receptacle, showing minor dings to the silver alongside the expected age-related dullness of the tortoiseshell. The item measures 6 cm high, 12.5 cm wide, and 12.5 cm deep. In a modern home, this piece sits neatly upon a gentleman's library desk or a home office writing table, providing a functional inkwell and a decorative antique accessory for daily correspondence or workspace display.

FAQs

A capstan inkwell is a broad-based, conical desk accessory shaped like a nautical capstan, designed to resist tipping over during use. Popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, these inkwells often featured weighted bases and hinged lids.

Edwardian inkwells were frequently crafted from sterling silver, glass, and tortoiseshell, often incorporating weighted bases for stability. High-grade examples utilized techniques such as pique work, inlaying silver or gold wire directly into tortoiseshell lids.

Authentic Edwardian silver pieces bear full British hallmarks, including a makers mark, town mark, purity mark such as the lion passant, and a date letter corresponding to the period between 1901 and 1910. Craftsmanship generally displays classical details like swags, urns, and reeded borders.

An antique capstan inkwell functions as a decorative object on a modern home office desk, console table, or bookshelf. It can be paired with leather blotters, vintage fountain pens, or stacked art books to create a refined focal point.

Gently clean the silver surfaces with a soft cloth and non-abrasive silver polish, taking care to avoid polish contact with the tortoiseshell insert. Tortoiseshell should be dusted with a dry microfibre cloth and kept away from direct heat or sunlight.
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