Antique gilt metal desk set in wooden velvet lined case

Totalling twelve pieces, the desk set consists of two inkwells, a pair of candlesticks, a bell, a candleholder in a dish, a pen tray, an ink blotter, a shallow bowl, a letter-opener, and a wax stamp and spoon. The two inkwells vary in their shape. One inkwell is twin-handled, with a bulbous body on a shaped stem and circular foot set on a dish, while the other is bell-shaped, handleless and placed on a circular base. Both have hinged lids, which allow one to access the ink stored within.

The gilt metal desk accessories are similarly decorated. All the items, excluding the small wax spoon, feature flower paintings around the edges of their circular feet, dishes, or tops. These are depicted using a predominantly white, lilac and green colour palette. The items with stems or handles, which is all except the shallow bowl and pen tray, are either fully or partially fluted.

This set is stored within a red velvet-lined wooden case. This is painted, on one external side, with an interlocking ’T’ and ‘M’, which were perhaps the initials of the original owner.

Case: Height 16cm, width 40cm, depth 10cm
Spoon: Height 1.5cm, width 11cm, depth 2.5cm
Stamp seal: Height 8cm, diameter 3.5cm
Letter-opener: Height 3cm, width 23.5cm, depth 3cm
Bell: Height 12cm, diameter 6cm
Candlesticks: Height 19.5cm, diameter 10cm
Pen tray: Height 2.5cm, width 24cm, depth 8.5cm
Ink blotter: Height 6cm, width 12cm, depth 8cm
Bowl: Height 5cm, diameter 13.5cm
Candleholder: Height 7cm, width 16cm, depth 13cm
Small inkwell: Height 12cm, diameter 9.5cm
Large inkwell: Height 15cm, diameter 19cm