ID 992608
Lot 11 | A WILLIAM IV PARCEL-GILT SILVER INKSTAND
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
MARK OF BENJAMIN SMITH II, LONDON, 1836
Of book form, on a velvet-clad wooden base imitating a cushion and applied with silver-gilt rope-twist and tassel shaped feet, the cover opening to reveal a pen trough and three dividers set with two cut-glass bottles and silver-gilt covers, the cover engraved with a Royal Duke's badge, marked on body and cover, engraved in cover B. SMITH DUK S.t LINC.n INN
11 7/8 in. (30 cm.) long
39 oz. 13 dwt. (1,234 gr.) weighable silver
The Royal crest is almost certainly for Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge K.G. (1774-1850), seventh son of King George III (1760-1820) of Great Britain and Ireland. When the inkstand was sold in 1963 a label on the base read 'Cambridge' and it was assumed the inkstand had once been in the collection of the Duke of Cambridge. It does not appear in the 2nd Duke of Cambridge's sale at Christie's in 1904 suggesting it was a gift to the 1st Earl Howe.
Provenance
Presumably Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge K.G. (1774-1850), seventh son of King George III, given to,
Richard William, 1st Earl Howe (1796-1870), then by descent to,
Francis, 5th Earl Howe P.C., C.B.E. (1884-1964),
The Earl Howe, P.C., C.B.E.; Christie's, London, 15 May 1963, lot 95.
With Bulgari, Rome.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, New York, 19 October 1995, lot 316.
A Private Collection; Christie's, New York, 27 October 2005, lot 354.
Special notice
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
| Artist: | Benjamin Smith II (1764 - ?) |
|---|---|
| Manufactur: | Benjamin and James Smith |
| Applied technique: | Metalwork |
| Medium: | Silver |
| Historical era: | Period of William IV |
| Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
| Category: | Inkstand |
| Auction house category: | All other types of objects |
| Artist: | Benjamin Smith II (1764 - ?) |
|---|---|
| Manufactur: | Benjamin and James Smith |
| Applied technique: | Metalwork |
| Medium: | Silver |
| Historical era: | Period of William IV |
| Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
| Category: | Inkstand |
| Auction house category: | All other types of objects |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |

















