Double Glass Inkwell Tray
A double glass inkwell tray provides a stable desk station for two separate writing fluids, combining utility with fine period craftsmanship.
Double Glass Inkwell Tray
A double glass inkwell tray serves as a desk accessory designed to hold two inkwells securely within a fitted base, often termed an inkstand or standish. These pieces appear across various periods including the Georgian era, the Victorian period, and the mid twentieth century.
The format ranges from simple wooden and brass mounts to elaborate silver plated designs and carved wooden trays featuring Black Forest bears or eagles. Most examples incorporate fitted spaces for glass inkwells alongside channels for pens.
Buyers seeking a double glass inkwell tray encounter versatile desk sets fashioned from mahogany, walnut, oak, and tortoiseshell, alongside metal mounts in brass and silver. These items reflect the domestic and professional writing habits of past centuries.
Materials and construction
Makers constructed the bases of these trays using carved timbers such as walnut, oak, mahogany, and burr walnut, frequently mounting them with brass or incorporating Boulle work. Metalwork versions utilise brass, sterling silver, silver plate, and Sheffield plate.
Glass forms the primary material for the accompanying inkwells, often shaped through cutting techniques to catch the light on a desk surface. Artisans integrated these glass elements into wooden or metal stands using fitted collars and hinged lids.
Double Glass Inkwell Tray Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for double glass inkwell tray among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Assessing quality and craftsmanship
Quality in a double glass inkwell tray rests upon the crispness of the carving in wooden examples, the weight and thickness of the glass, and the precision of the metal mounts. Heavier gauge silver plate and solid silver demonstrate superior workshop standards compared to thinner alternatives.
The integration of materials dictates the overall merit of a desk set, where well fitted glass inserts and robust hinges denote careful assembly. Intricate decorative details, such as hand carved animal figures or boulle marquetry, elevate the piece.
Walker And Hall·James Cartland And Sons·Daniel Holy Of Sheffield
The Double Glass Inkwell Tray Glossary
- Inkstand
- A portable tray or stand fitted to hold inkwells, sanders, and pen holders for a writing desk. This term is frequently used interchangeably with inkstand and desk set.
- Standish
- An alternative historic term for a desk inkstand, often denoting an elaborate or footed tray holding writing materials.
- Sheffield plate
- A composite material made by fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper base, common in desk accessories from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
- Boulle work
- A style of marquetry using tortoiseshell and brass inlay, popular in French furniture and decorative desk stands.
- Chamberstick
- A small portable candlestick mounted on a tray, occasionally incorporated into larger Victorian desk stands and inkstands.
Double Glass Inkwell Tray: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a double glass inkwell tray?
A double glass inkwell tray is a desk accessory designed to hold two separate inkwells within a shared base or stand. These pieces organise writing equipment on a desk surface.
They appear in materials ranging from solid silver and plated brass to carved wood and tortoiseshell. The design accommodates the need for different coloured inks during correspondence.
How were these trays used?
These trays sat upon writing desks in homes and offices to provide a stable station for dipping pens into ink. The dual wells typically held black and red ink for ordinary writing and formal corrections.
Pen channels carved into the wood or metal kept dip pens from rolling off the writing surface. Many included spaces for sealing wax or taper sticks.
How do I date a desk stand?
Dating relies on the prevailing style, the materials used, and any hallmarks present on silver components. Georgian and Victorian pieces show distinct shifts in decorative taste from classical restraint to elaborate carving.
Makers' marks and assay office stamps provide specific years for silver and plated items. Wood types and construction methods also offer clues to the period of manufacture.
How do I care for antique wood and glass?
Antique wood benefits from occasional treatment with appropriate wax to maintain the finish and prevent drying. Glass inserts should be washed carefully by hand to preserve any cut details.
Harsh chemical cleaners must be avoided on both silver plate and carved wooden surfaces. Proper placement away from direct heat sources protects the joints and materials.