Ink- and watch-stand
Inkstand
ca. 1855 (made)
ca. 1855 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 19th century craftsmen at Monghyr, who had hitherto inlaid ivory into wood in the decoration of arms, came to apply their traditional skills to objects for western consumption. As Monghyr was on the route between Calcutta and Delhi, local craftsmen found a ready market in the Europeans who stopped at the town for rest and refreshment. Some of them left detailed accounts of their purchases. This piece would have sat on a desk and would have been used for holding a pocket watch, pen, paper and inkwell.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
| Title | Ink- and watch-stand (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Turned and carved ebony, inlaid with ivory |
| Brief description | Writing, wood, inlaid, India Writing, wood, inlaid, India Writing, wood, inlaid, India Writing, wood, inlaid, India Writing, wood, inlaid, India Writing, wood, inlaid, India |
| Physical description | The ink- and watch-stand is made of ebony, turned and carved and inlaid with ivory. It has two drawers, one secret, and two lift-out trays and includes a watch-stand, paper-holder and pen-rack. On the right of the watch-stand there is a miniature press which consists of an ebony block that moves up and down between vertically positioned runners. Between the racks and the press is a shallow rectangular well probably intended for an ink-well. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Probably exhibited at the Universal Exhibition, Paris, in 1855 and acquired by the India Museum. Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Wall Case 30.] '01,200. INK STAND. Fitted with watch stand, paper holder and pen rack; ebony, inlaid with ivory; Monghyr, Bengal. 4,318' |
| Production | Munger or Monghyr is srtictly in the present day State of Bihar. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | In the 19th century craftsmen at Monghyr, who had hitherto inlaid ivory into wood in the decoration of arms, came to apply their traditional skills to objects for western consumption. As Monghyr was on the route between Calcutta and Delhi, local craftsmen found a ready market in the Europeans who stopped at the town for rest and refreshment. Some of them left detailed accounts of their purchases. This piece would have sat on a desk and would have been used for holding a pocket watch, pen, paper and inkwell. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Other number | 4318 - India Museum Slip Book |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 01200:1 to 6/(IS) |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 2, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
