Inkwell In Vermeil And Agate. English Work. Circa 1830

Agate inkwell set in a vermeil setting. The agate cup is closed by a lid finely chiseled with foliage motifs and whose grip is decorated with a putti's head. A fretted and worked handle allowed the presentation of the feathers. The inkwell rests on a base very worked in relief and chiseled with foliage motifs. Four lion paws complete this composition. Inside, the inkwell has two buckets and two penholders. Sun: W:10cm, D:10cm, H:9cm. Silver hallmarks: Lion looking left. Title hallmark: leopard. Letter date A for 1824. Head of a man: Georges. Hallmark of the master silversmith: JEB for John Eldershaw Brunt. John Eldershaw Brunt. was born in 1800. He began his activity as a goldsmith in 1822 at 36 Museum Street, Bloomsbury. He moved to 14 Greville Street. From 1836 to 1839 he practiced goldsmithing and jewelery with CE Sparrow, before entering into a partnership with William James, in the style of Mesdames Brunt & James. The association was soon dissolved and Brunt continued alone until the 1860s.