Robert Belcher Antiques

Description

A rare campaign Berry’s patent travel inkwell, C 1860.

This small, eye-catching and tactile campaign piece is in superb condition. It is a small leather bound travel inkwell that is fully working. The case is made of robust steel, which is leather bound on the exterior with a lovely folding brass swan neck handle on the top.

The maroon leather exterior is beautifully gold embossed with the words Ink, Berry’s patent, London.

On the front of the case, there is a circular brass button, which is the spring loaded catch to open the lid, which is also spring loaded.

The interior is all original and finished in Japaned green lacquer with the original clear glass ink bottle. This is held in place with a brass ring, also with a spring catch . When released, it gives access to the small bottle, which ingenuously is also spring loaded with an action that pushes the bottle tightly against the fitted leather cushion which is in the lid making the box and ink contents sealed and travel ready.

This is a brilliantly small highly engineered Victorian item for the wealthy and privileged traveller, and is rare to find in this condition

English, circa 1860

Height 3.2cm x width 3.5 x depth 3.5cm

We no longer have shop premises. All of our items can be viewed online.
If you wish to see an item, we will be more than happy to arrange a viewing.

Many thanks
Wendy and Robert