1758 English Sterling Filigree Inkwell Desk Stand

Presented is a gorgeous, English sterling silver inkwell or desk stand made by Edward Aldridge and John Stamper of London in 1758. The base or tray of the piece is raised on four classical ball and claw feet. It is divided into two sections and the raised sides of the piece are done in a beautiful millgrain wire filigree form. The stand has two old, cut glass bottles, one has a sterling, decoratively pierced strainer top. This piece is the sander. There is a worn crest engraved onto the bottom of the tray, it is an ornate crest of a shield surrounded by embellishments. The underside is marked with the crowned leopard’s head for London, the lion passant for sterling silver, a date letter C for the year 1758 and a maker’s mark for Edward Aldridge and John Stamper. The removable pierced lid on one of the glass pieces is also hallmarked with the maker's mark. This piece is in excellent overall condition. The lid to the inkwell is probably missing, although it is perfectly functional withou