Photographed by Scott Wolff. Scanned from a transparency. Color corrected by Pat Cagney.

George III Silver Inkstand in the Rococo Style

Artist Henry Bailey (English, circa 1750 - 1770)

CultureEnglish

Dateca. 1768-69

MediumSilver | Glass

DimensionsOverall: 2 1/4 x 6 x 9 1/2 in. (5.7 x 15.2 x 24.1 cm)

InscribedA full set of silver marks is located in the standard row format on the underside of the tray. From left to right, they are: the initials "HB" under a crown -- the maker's mark registered by Henry Bailey in 1750; the lion passant -- the English symbol for sterling; the leopard's head crowned -- the symbol for the London Assay Office; the letter "n" -- date mark for the silversmith's calendar year 1768/1769. The underside of the tray is also engraved with the weight "20-5". The maker's mark and the lion passant also appear on the underside of the cap with five holes.

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Wolcott

Object number2002.7

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThis is an oblong tray on four shell-shaped feet, with three octagonal cut-glass bottles set in pierced silver frames in the form of Chinese fretwork railings, with long tray wells on either side, gadrooned edges. An engraved script monogram appears on the tray underneath the center inkwell; possible readings of the letters are variously "RT," "RL," "JRT," or "JRL." The Chinese fretwork railings are attached to the tray with silver screws and nuts.

ProvenanceMade in London, England, 1768--1769; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Baylor II, Norfolk, Virginia; Nannie Baylor Wolcott to her son, Edward W. Wolcott; Mr. Edward W. Wolcott to his wife, Mrs. Clara Wolcott; Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Wolcott to the Chrysler Museum of Art, 2002.