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Author Topic: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?  (Read 14012 times)

Offline Anne E.B.

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Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« on: February 17, 2008, 05:02:39 PM »
Any ideas what this might be please?  My OH suggested an inkwell.  Its made from brass and has two compartments.  Approx. 3" x 2" x 1"high.  There are no markings.  Other ideas - may be for snuff, or just a trinket box...?

TIA  :)
Anne E.B.

Offline josordoni

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2008, 05:08:19 PM »
How big is it Anne? It looks like it might be curved inside? 

It might be a desk stamp box, they are often curved inside so that you can slide the stamp out easily.

Offline josordoni

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2008, 05:09:21 PM »
tsk, just seen your sizes above, don't know how I missed them!!    :thd:

yes, my guess would be a stamp box.

Offline Anne E.B.

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2008, 05:24:34 PM »
That's a good suggestion Lynne :)  I forget to say that the inside was curved, so putting stamps inside sounds feasible - wet your finger and slide one out :)   It looks to be old(ish).  Really pretty, but I can't stand the smell of brass :czy:
Anne E.B.

Offline josordoni

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2008, 05:40:12 PM »
Take it to a restorer and get it dipped in silver...

Offline Anne E.B.

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2008, 06:09:32 PM »
Is it very expensive to have done?
Anne E.B.

Offline josordoni

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2008, 06:19:26 PM »
I have to admit I don't know, I have never had it done myself.  I know a glass restorers, facets of Walthamstow - I used them for an antique decanter rim once I gave as a present, cost me ?15 to have the rim reground and the chips ground out of the end of the stopper - they have a replating service, and I am sure there must be someone near you who would do the same.

Here is the link to facets http://www.facetsglass.co.uk/Otherservices.htm  you could email them for an idea.

Perhaps a local jewellers could give a rough idea of cost?

Offline Lustrousstone

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2008, 07:11:27 PM »
Very Art Nouveau - any marks on it?
Christine
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Offline Anne E.B.

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2008, 07:33:30 PM »
Thanks for the link Lynne :)

No marks that I can see Christine, but I'll have another close look just in case I missed any 8)
Anne E.B.

Offline Anne

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2008, 10:19:40 PM »
I think Lynne's right, a stamp box would fit the bill. Possibly stamps one side and a small dampened sponge in the other - after all, one wouldn't lick ones stamps, would one? ;)
Cheers!
 Anne

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Offline Anne E.B.

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2008, 05:23:04 PM »
...Possibly stamps one side and a small dampened sponge in the other - after all, one wouldn't lick ones stamps, would one? ;)

W-e-l-l...  'One' :czy: might :taped:
Anne E.B.

Offline ChimpMad

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2009, 11:03:03 PM »
I know it's a year on so I may be too late, but please don't have this stamp box silvered. There appears to be no trace of old silvering, suggesting that the box was always meant to be seen as brass, so you'd kill the value and make a very stylish late Victorian / early Edwardian brass stamp box look garish.
As for the two compartments, the early stamp wetters were made of glass and were seperate from holders. This piece was most likely made to hold 1st and 2nd class stamps, either 'penny blacks' and 'penny reds' or Edwardian 1/2d and 1d stamps.
If you always expect the worst you'll never be disappointed.

Offline Anne E.B.

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2009, 10:44:58 AM »
Thanks CM ;).  At the time I bought this, there seemed to be quite a few around and for that reason thought it might not be old.  However, I haven't seen a one since.  Unfortunately I don't still have it as I sold it.   I used it for a while to store earing studs in.
Anne E.B.

Offline antiquerose123

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2009, 07:54:38 PM »

I think Lynne's right, a stamp box would fit the bill. Possibly stamps one side and a small dampened sponge in the other - after all, one wouldn't lick ones stamps, would one? ;)


 :blush: :blush: I tried to lick a *self-sticking* stamp once -- before I realized it was such. ;D  (The box) It would look so nice to be covered in silver....very pretty even as it is now..
Every flower that has ever bloomed, had to go through a whole lot of DIRT FIRST......:flowers2:      
antiquerose123 (Rose) :rse:  

Offline Anne

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2009, 08:39:47 PM »
Heh heh heh trust you Rose!  ;D  Did it stick to your tongue?  :24:
Cheers!
 Anne

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."

Offline ChimpMad

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Re: Is this lidded brass box an inkwell?
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2009, 09:48:35 PM »
It'th shtill there, that'th why I lithp  :nah: . Thorry, whoops, I mean "Sorry"  :rse:
If you always expect the worst you'll never be disappointed.

 

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