Inkstand with Sandbox and Cover for Pen Compartment

European inkstands were most often made of silver, though examples in pewter, lead, earthenware, and porcelain, like this one, are also known. They were used to hold pens, ink, and other writing implements. These might include a taper stick (a holder for small candles), a pounce box (for sprinkling sand or pounce, a powdered gum, used to dry ink on paper), a wafer-box (to hold wafers used to seal letters), a penknife, and quills. This inkstand, made at the Chelsea manufactory in southwest London, was inspired by examples made in France.