Inkwell - bronze(I think) - where and when from?

This is about 6" wide, just over 4" high to the top of the finial on the lid. The inkwell opening is just under 2". Glass insert missing. Weights 21 ounces. Appears to be bronze, and maybe gilt? On two sides it has medallions(about 3/4" inch ~ 2cm diameter) with busts of a roman or greek figure? The sides are rolled upwards, the non medallion sides rolled up higher. The hinge on the lid is broken, looks like someone tried to force it to open and broke it. Thrift find today. Anyhow - ideas on where and when this is from? Thanks for your help as always!

 

The broken hinge:

 

Mars/Ares.

 

I'd guess time period to be 1870s - 1900.

 

very nice....interesting mfg and design...

 

I like it! It's too bad about the lid though.

 

I see no damage to the edge of the lid, or rim. Pry-marks, scratching, etc.

I would suggest that it perhaps fell (or was dropped or pushed) from height and landed in such a way that the lid was open. The force of the impact would have broken the glass liner, as well as snap off the lid at the same time, while leaving the rest of the inkwell undamaged.

Where made? I have no idea. Inkwells were so common in the 1800s that most countries wouldn't have bothered marking them unless they were made of silver or something. I'd say it's late Victorian though. Last quarter of the 19th century, and probably made in Europe.

 

Thank you Shangas.

 

Thanks Pat!

 

I know a lot of people like the patina.
However a well to do gentleman would not have let that sit on his desk in that condition.

I'd clean and polish it. Probably brass and not bronze.
You may even find a mark while you are cleaning.

Mineral oil will take some of the grunge off without actually taking the patina, but won't clean the discoloration.

Ketchup has been recommended by others. I've never tried it. Might give the brightest cleaning, because of the vinegar.

Silver polish is another way to clean it.

Wait for other opinions, or try on the underside where it won't show.

 

I get sort of a Victorian chinoiserie feel from the whole thing. Pagoda roof edges & the large geometric scroll designs filled in with foliate scrolls worthy of William Morris, accented with a classical god in neoclassical style.

Googling shows me foliate scrolls also consistent with Chinese decorative design:

 

I've met loads of people who get into foaming attacks if you suggest that they were to polish antique brass. I hesitate to remind these people that back in Victorian times - PEOPLE POLISHED BRASS EVERY DAY.

Doorknobs, doorplates, fire-irons, desk accessories, fire-extinguishers, pots, pans, kettles, clocks, oil-lamps...they polished everything! Brasso hasn't existed for over 100 years for nothing, you know.

I agree. By all means, give this thing a good polish. Many of the suggestions already given should yield good results in that area.

 

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Anti...vr_id=1472816108803&_mwBanner=1&ul_noapp=true
No info as to maker.

 

Well look at that! Thanks HT.

 

How that one fares will tell you whether it's worth putting in the elbow grease to clean up this one.

 

Your welcome. Maybe not always helpful, but if I find it, I post it. H.T.
In the mean time maybe you could find a glass insert.

 

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTIQUE-OR...IGN-ON-SCROLLED-FEET/312089416346?_mwBanner=1
This one is a re-list from U.K.
The lid is also broken. Stamped 35 on bottom.

 

Oh, this is beautiful. I love it.

 

I love this sort of desk accessory from the Victoria period. Something about the lid says India to me, but I'm not sure why, but then the face impressions scream European while the square engraved corners in image 7 suggest Chinese. How intriguing. Id also go with brass. In image 3, it looks like there are two wide lips and two smaller lips around the sides. If this is the case, can I suggest it might be for a partners desk. These were very common in Victorian times with two people facing each other and sharing the inkwell. Equally, its rather grand ornate style also suggests use in a Bank where customers would have sat opposite each other completing forms. Sorry I cant be more helpful, but its gorgeous.

 

Ornate desk sets, inkstands and other accessories like this were very common in the Victorian era. The vast majority which I've seen were made of gilt brass. Most common were inkwells, inkstands, rocker-blotters, nib-cleaners and pen-trays. Less common were things like candlesticks, and pounce pots.