Casgliadau Arlein

Inkstand, silver gilt, in the form of a miniature library globe, standing on four scroll legs with ball and claw feet, the frame comprising a vertical and a horizontal ring supported on a cast baluster-like knop, four reeded bands with cast shell upper terminals linking this knop to the horizontal ring, the shells linked by four cast floral swags, an applied beaded wire running along the outer edge of the horizontal ring, an acorn finial on top of the frame which pulls up to release the two upper quadrants of the spherical container which slide back to reveal a wood-lined metal plate holding three silver-gilt-topped glass bottles (an ink pot, a water pot(?) and a sand dredger) and two pencil holders. A bottle stopper is missing.