Silver-gilt and malachite inkstand. London, Barnard & Sons, 1843-44 (marked)

The inkstand comprises a piece of veneered malachitecarved with a groove for pens, with silver-gilt mounts, feet and two handles, two inkpots with hinged lids and a double taperstick forming an 'X', to which is fixed a shallow dish.. To the front and back centre are scroll cartouches engraved with the monogram 'ML'.

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

Presented by Lady Gilbert in 2008, in exchange for a men's 15-piece gold dressing set (1996.1003-1017) and a lady's 21-piece gold dressing set (1996.1018-1038).

Malachite became available for widespread use in decorative furnishings and art objects during the eighteenth century when mines were opened in the Ural mountains in Russia. This ink stand is an example of stone veneering technique known as ‘Russian Mosaic’. Malachite is a very brittle mineral so it is usually applied as a thin veneer to a more stable base stone or copper to give the outward appearance of a solid specimen of malachite. Powdered malachite in a glue emulsion has been applied to the joins between the veneer sheets to create the perfect illusion.

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. Malachite was one of Arthur Gilbert’s favourite stones and he acquired many pieces decorated with malachite for his collection. However, this inkstand is the only malachite object that remains in the collection today.

LOAN:GILBERT.1080:1 to 5-2008