Inkstand, silver, John Parker and Edward Wakelin, 1771

Silver inkstand consisting of three vase shaped containers and covers, each with vertically embossed bands of fluting, on a rectangular footed tray with cast shell and scroll feet. The tray has a later inscription recording the original gift of the inkstand by Horace Walpole to William Pennicot of Long Ditton and its subsequent bequest to John Peyto Shrubb who passed it to his son.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

This inkstand contains an inkwell in the centre, a pounce pot with elaborately pierced lid, and a quill holder. Unusually, an inscription on the tray, dating from 22nd August 1842, records 3 changes of ownership of the inkstand over a 70 year period:

"The Gift of Horace Walpole. Esqre. AFTERWARDS LORD ORFORD, TO WILLIAM PENNICOTT, Rector of Long Ditton, Surry, and bequeathed by the latter to John Peyto Shrubb Esqre. who gave it as a mark of affection to his son, HENRY SHRUBB, RECTOR OF STRATFORD TONY, WILTS, 22ND AUGUST 1842."

Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford, was an antiquarian and prolific art collector who built Strawberry Hill in Surrey. The Rev William Pennicott, the recipient of this gift was rector of nearby Long Ditton parish. Pennicott's will of 28 February 1811 (National Archives, PROB 11/1519/469) records this gift from Walpole and when nominating its next owner, "I give also to John Peyto Shrubb of Guildford, Esquire, my Silver Inkstand and which was given me by the late Lord Orford." John Peyto Shrubb's will of 22 March 1845 (National Archives, PROB 11/2014/372), two and a half years after the inscription was added, records his transfer of the inkstand to his 3rd son Henry: "I give unto the said Henry Shrubb my silver inkstand left me by my valuable friend the Revd Wm Pennicot."

Provenance
Acquired by Arthur Gilbert from S.J. Phillips Ltd, London, 1995.

This inkstand contains an inkwell in the centre, a pounce pot with elaborately pierced lid, and a quill holder. Unusually, an inscription on the tray, dating from 22nd August 1842, records 3 changes of ownership of the inkstand over a 70 year period. It was first given by the antiquarian and art collector, Horace Walpole, to the Rev. William Pennicott of Long Ditton in Surrey who bequeathed it to his good friend, John Peyto Shrubb. He in turn passed it to his son, Rev. Henry Shrubb. The inkstand is recorded in the wills of both Pennicott and John Peyto Shrub.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.

LOAN:GILBERT.1071:1-2008