This item has been sold, and the description, image and price ($US) are for reference purposes only.
Early ormolu & glass standish. Central lidded ink well (with glass insert), on blue glass base, gilt decoration. OrmOlu framed, dual handled.

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Register Now to view actual auction price for this item.

  • Standish - Although the word is little used nowadays, a standish is an inkstand on feet and usually in silver or silver plate, containing some of the following: inkwells, a pounce pot, a sealing wax container and a pen rest. Standishes are also found in less common materials including boulle, marble, brass and wood.
  • Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Early ormolu & glass standish. Central lidded ink well (with…