✅ SOLVED Pretty sure it's an ink well set...

[flip4life]

Alter piece/incense burner/ink well?

Hey guys hoping you can help....this is one solid piece, all of the compartments are attached. I'm pretty sure the outer two compartments are ink wells. But I don't know what the center compartment would be for. I've looked all over online and I can't find any other desk Sets with 3 chambers. There is a fire breathing mythical figure designed into the base on both sides of the center compartments. Does anybody know what to call this creature or the historical significance/place of origin. There are no markings visible on the underside. Looking for...
Confirmation of what it is:
How old is it:
What is the mythical creature:
What is it made if:
How much is it worth?:

Thank you everybody for all of your help!

 

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[HAPPYCAMPER]

There is some on Ebay with 3 compartments and listings call them "organizer",assume made of brass.

Hey guys hoping you can help....this is one solid piece, all of the compartments are attached. I'm pretty sure the outer two compartments are ink wells. But I don't know what the center compartment would be for. I've looked all over online and I can't find any other desk Sets with 3 chambers. There is a fire breathing mythical figure designed into the base on both sides of the center compartments. Does anybody know what to call this creature or the historical significance/place of origin. There are no markings visible on the underside. Looking for...
Confirmation of what it is:
How old is it:
What is the mythical creature:
What is it made if:
How much is it worth?:

Thank you everybody for all of your help!

 

[flip4life]

I just tried to look it up...still couldn't find any...can u post a link or let me know what key words you used

 

[PikesPeakCharlie]

I don't believe it's an ink well , I believe you have an incense burner in the center , incense holders on the sides.

 

[HAPPYCAMPER]

On Ebay I did a search for "brass inkwell set"

I just tried to look it up...still couldn't find any...can u post a link or let me know what key words you used

 

[Molewacker]

I don't believe it's an ink well , I believe you have an incense burner in the center , incense holders on the sides.

I agree - first thing I noticed - no pen stand or well

Style reminds me of a Ornate Buddhist or Hindi Altar piece -

 

[flip4life]

I was thinking incense burner because of the holes in the cut outs in the top of the center compartment...but it was labeled ink well when I got it, and there is a glass insert in one of the side compartments. Also the green discoloration of the metal on the lids of the outer 2 compartments makes me think there was liquid in them...but I suppose it could be oils or something too! Here is a close up if the sides...maybe this will help.

 

[flip4life]

 

[flip4life]

Here are some pictures to show the hardware used to try determine age. Unfortunately they are all different because some areas bust have been repaired or replaced

 

[flip4life]

Here are some pictures to show the hardware used to try determine age. Unfortunately they are all different because some areas bust have been repaired or replacedView attachment 1406658View attachment 1406658View attachment 1406659View attachment 1406660

 

[flip4life]

After looking a little harder at the bottom I found a couple of small stamps with the number 6 or 9

 

[BagLady]

I agree with some of the others, that it is a Buddhist piece. Probably had them in their homes to burn incense and maybe oils? I would do some research in the Hindu/Buddhist religions.

 

[DCMatt]

Early 20th C lady's vanity set.

 

[DCMatt]

Early 20th C lady's vanity set.

WRONG!!!


This one was bothering me so I did a little more research and learned something!


The original poster is correct. It is an inkstand.


Double inkwells with a wafer box in the middle.


I think that makes it older than 20th C.


Wafer and wax were the two ways of sealing a letter in the days before "lick & stick" envelopes.


Read more info here:


https://herreputationforaccomplishment.wordpress.com/2015/08/25/sealing-with-wafers/


DCMatt

 

[Molewacker]

Almost there Matt !

Perforated center piece was used for Casting sand to soak up extra ink.

Writing set -

These included three cylindrical containers, one for ink, one with a perforated top for use as a sand-caster and the third for wafers

The perforated top threw us off the track..

Inkwell collectors page - might ask members about your piece

http://soicmember.com/page-965182

 

[DCMatt]

Almost there Matt !

Perforated center piece was used for Casting sand to soak up extra ink.

Writing set -

These included three cylindrical containers, one for ink, one with a perforated top for use as a sand-caster and the third for wafers

The perforated top threw us off the track..

Inkwell collectors page - might ask members about your piece

Society of Inkwell Collectors - Forums

Good research! Getting close now.


Now can we put a date on it?


I was thinking that use of wafers made the piece "a little older". But looking at it I don't get the sense that it is any earlier than very late 19th C. Those screws and square nuts seem so 20th C to me...


Thoughts?


DCMatt

 

[Molewacker]

There is a lot of double brass sets out there - both Original and Repro, but not triples that I've seen. Center piece lift out?

The creatures around the center piece is a Griffin I think, after seeing this motif on other sets.

I'd head to inkwell boards to narrow it down.

 

[flip4life]

Thanks for all of the time you must have put in to help solve this! I looked for a long time and wasn't able to get anything solid...so again, thanks for the time and info!

 

[flip4life]

I think it's a Griffin as well. And I also came across alot if double, but not many triple, so I wasn't sure. The center compartment dies not lift out, and is attached to the base. I have another inkwell desk set that turned out to be a common repo...so I found alot of pictures of them online. I could not find any exactly like this one, or any similar for that matter. I'm still afraid this might be a repo..especially with no makers marks...but the hardware is definately old...it was too unique to pass on tho regardless. Thanks for the help!

 

[Molewacker]

Gosh, are we missing some glass?

I wonder if the center piece had a glass insert for wafers or sand (see ponce pot) since the holes are too large and doesn't lift out - the brass open work is to reflect the "tray"

On age, I guess you will have to go with your gut as you look at wear, etc. If the center piece finel didn't match the side pieces, I'd say it was a later addition of a incense burner.

No problem on my time - love digging up something on this rainy day - Wish I could find you a match.