Some antique silver pieces are decorative. Others have the power to transform a room.
This exceptional Victorian solid silver double desk inkstand, hallmarked London 1859 and made by the renowned silversmiths Edward & John Barnard, is a superb example of 19th-century English craftsmanship. Large, impressive and beautifully detailed, it is the kind of antique silver that immediately suggests authority, success and permanence.
With its two silver-mounted glass inkwells, double pen rests, raised corner decoration and bold lion’s paw feet, this is far more than a desk accessory. It is a statement piece — one that would look magnificent on an executive desk, library table, collector’s cabinet or period interior.
Made by Barnards of London
The Barnard name is one of the most respected in English silver. The firm’s origins are often traced back to around 1680, making it one of Britain’s longest-established silversmithing businesses. By the 19th century, the Barnard family had become highly regarded for fine silverware, presentation pieces and table silver.
This inkstand was made in 1859, during the height of the Victorian period, when English silver was often substantial, decorative and made to impress. The makers, Edward & John Barnard, were part of this distinguished silversmithing dynasty, and their work remains highly sought after by collectors today.
A Serious Piece of Victorian Desk Silver
A good antique inkstand is always desirable, but this example is especially impressive because of its scale, weight and completeness.
It measures approximately 27 cm long, 19 cm wide and 17 cm high, giving it excellent presence without being too large for display. The silver weight is approximately 1,005 grams, or 35 ounces, making it a notably substantial piece of solid silver.
The design includes:
Two silver-mounted glass inkwells
Double pen rests
Raised corner decoration
Four lion’s paw feet
Elegant Victorian proportions
Full London hallmarks for 1859
The result is a piece that feels both practical and grand — a reminder of the period when writing was an art, correspondence mattered, and a gentleman’s desk was expected to reflect status and taste.
Lion’s Paw Feet and Victorian Grandeur
One of the most attractive details of this inkstand is its set of four lion’s paw feet.
This classical design feature gives the piece a strong architectural quality. The lion has long been associated with strength, dignity and tradition, and on Victorian silver it often adds a sense of formality and importance.
Combined with the raised corner decoration and the polished silver surface, the paw feet give the inkstand a powerful yet refined appearance. It is decorative without being overdone, substantial without feeling heavy-handed.
A Collector’s Piece with Practical Appeal
Although this inkstand is over 160 years old, it remains an object with real modern appeal.
For a collector of antique silver, it offers the desirable combination of age, maker, weight, condition and decorative quality. For someone furnishing an office, study or library, it provides a level of character that modern desk accessories cannot match.
It would make a superb choice for:
Collectors of Victorian silver
Executive offices and private studies
Library or writing room displays
Presentation or retirement gifts
Interior designers seeking authentic period silver
Collectors of Barnard silver
Anyone wanting a distinguished antique desk centrepiece
Restored to Near-New Condition
We have expertly restored this antique silver inkstand to near-new condition, while carefully preserving its period character.
That balance is important. A fine antique silver piece should look beautiful and ready to display, but it should not lose the sense of history that makes it special. This inkstand retains its Victorian dignity, while presenting with a bright, clean and impressive finish.
The silver is polished, the form is strong, and the whole piece has the presence expected from a high-quality mid-19th-century English inkstand.
Why Antique Silver Inkstands Are Increasingly Desirable
Large antique silver inkstands are becoming increasingly hard to find in this quality.
They belong to a world before email, laptops and disposable office accessories — a time when written correspondence was formal, considered and often deeply personal. A silver inkstand was not merely functional. It was a visible sign of refinement and status.
Today, that makes pieces such as this especially appealing. They are no longer everyday necessities, but they have become highly decorative and historically interesting objects. On a desk, sideboard or display cabinet, a fine silver inkstand gives a room immediate atmosphere and distinction.
Key Product Details
Item: Antique Victorian Solid Silver Double Desk Inkstand
Maker: Edward & John Barnard
Hallmark: London 1859
Period: Victorian
Length: 27 cm
Width: 19 cm
Height: 17 cm
Silver Weight: 1,005 grams / approximately 35 ounces
Features: Double inkwells, double pen rests, raised corner decoration, lion’s paw feet
Condition: Expertly restored to near-new condition while retaining period character
Why Choose This Victorian Silver Inkstand?
This is a particularly fine example because it combines all the qualities collectors look for in important antique silver.
It was made by Edward & John Barnard, one of the great names in Victorian silver.
It carries full London hallmarks for 1859.
It is over 160 years old.
It weighs over 1 kilogram of solid silver.
It has two silver-mounted glass inkwells.
It stands on handsome lion’s paw feet.
It has been restored to a superb presentation standard.
It is both decorative and historically interesting.
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