1935 Birmingham Sterling Silver Capstan Ink Well With Glass Insert And Bakelite Base

This gorgeous 1935 Birmingham Sterling Silver Capstan Ink Well With Glass Insert And Bakelite Base, is in pretty good condition with a few scuffs and blemishes commensurate with age and use, particularly on the lid. 

Approximate Size:

• Base Diameter: 12.3cm
• Height: 5.2cm (2")
• Lid Diameter: 5cm

The hallmarks are a little faded and the makers mark difficult to read:-

Anchor: for the Birmingham Assay office

Lions Passant: for 925 Sterling Silver

L: Date Code Letter for 1935- the start of King George V reign

 :-  Makers Mark For S Blackensee & Sons. Frederick Street & Great Hampton Street, Birmingham

A lovely addition to a home office or as general vintage home decor.

Please click on the following links for more vintage silver items.

This type of ink well, with a wide weighted circular base, tapered sides and a hinged lid with glass or ceramic liner, is called 'Capstan' as they are shaped like a nautical capstan: the rotating, spool-like drum used on ships to pull heavy ropes (see final image). The weighted flat base made them particularly stable for use on ships.

NB: Accessories are shown for illustration only and are not included. The photos of the base were taken with and without flash- the actual colour is a dark brown.