Inkstand and Bell

1741 Inkstand, and 1666 Bell

Silver gilt. Measurements: Tray: Height 41.6 cm, Width 33.1 cm. Maker’s mark: Inkstand: Paul de Lamerie. Bell:  W.Pellet

The inkstand was made for the Company in 1741 by Paul de Lamerie at the same time that the dish and ewer in the collection were commissioned.

Two containers for ink and sand are engraved with the Arms of the Company.  At each corner of the inkstand are bold heads of Jupiter, Minerva, Mercury and Juno. Two feet bear the arms and two the crest of the Company. The inkstand is placed on the Court table at every meeting of the Court of Wardens of the Company. The bell, of an earlier date of 1666, was presented to the Company in the late seventeenth century by Sir Robert Vyner, in gratitude to the loan of plate to him at the time of him being High Sherriff. It sits centrally on the stand.