Jennens & Bettridge Papier Mache Double Ink Stand Decorated With Mother of Pearl

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Seller: anniecat99 ✉️ (926) 100%, Location: Tranent, East Lothian, GB, Ships to: GB & many other countries, Item: 305219210842 Jennens & Bettridge Papier Mache Double Ink Stand Decorated With Mother of Pearl.

This is a beautiful high quality double papier mache inkstand stamped to the base Jennens & Bettridge of London, the maker and retailer of the most high quality pieces of papier mache during the 19th century.

Jennens & Bettridge of London and Birmingham were high quality papier mache makers between 1816 - 1870. Their works were based in Birmingham and they had a high end showroom in Belgravia  In 1825 they took out a patent for “ornamenting papier mache with pearl shell” and this together with beautiful painted decoration and gilding provided a gorgeous iridescence of the decorative items they produced. Royal Commissions were received from George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria and by 1825 Jennens and Bettridge had the title “ Japanners in Ordinary to His Majesty”  and the firm displayed papier mache chairs and other items at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

This highly attractive double ink stand is an item of high quality and has a good weight.  It is a very tactile piece with a curved symmetrical outline which is very pleasing and decorative.  The stand has a black lacquered base which is beautifully decorated with elegant and very detailed frons of foliage, trailing leaf tendrils and delicately gilded flower designs.  This lovely inkstand is further decorated with mother of pearl flowers providing a lovely iridescent design. 

This double inkstand measures 28 cm / 11 inches in width  and has a depth of 21 cm / 8.25 inches.  The height of the base of the inkstand is 2.5 cm / 1 inch and height of the lidded box is 2 cm / 0.75 inches.

The inkstand has two symmetrical square insets which would have contained a pair of glass ink bottles, perhaps one for blue and one for black ink.  Between the ink bottle insets there is a lidded box which could have been used for storing pen nibs or stamps.  The lid of this little box is beautifully gilded and would have been decorated with mother of pearl in all four corners; two corners still retain their mother of pearl decoration.

Our inkstand also has a curved area to the front of the stand which would have been used to display pens and pencils.  

The inkstand stands solidly on four substantial papier mache bun feet.  The inkstand sits solidly on a surface with no rocking or tilting and all the curved edges of the stand still have their original gilding in place and there are no issues with cracks or splits to the edges which is a testament to the quality of the piece.  The pencil tray, ink bottle apertures and the little box for pen nibs have no cracks or losses and there are no issues with fading or missing MOP other than on the lid of the small box as already described.

All in all this is a beautiful and high quality piece of antique papier mache decorated in a chinoiserie style.  This double inkstand would make a wonderful addition to a decorative scheme and would look suitably gorgeous as a fabulous desk accessory.  It would also make a super addition to a collection of high quality papier mache items.

This item has had a previous life and may show signs of wear and tear commensurate with age.  If I spot any issues these will be included in the description or in the photos of the item.  Please check these before purchasing.

We are happy to post outside of the UK. The postage cost will be dependent on the purchaser's location.

  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: Very Good Condition.
  • Material: Papier Mache
  • Type: Inkwells
  • Vintage: Yes
  • Brand: Jennens & Bettridge
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom

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