A monumental inkwell by New York identity, Edward I. Farmer. The piece consists of a large piece of carved fluorite and a carved amethyst finial which has all been set in sterling silver. The mount for these carved stones is elaborate with a floral motif to the foot and decorative engraved borders on each rim of the piece. The internal sterling silver 'well' is removable for cleaning and polishing. The inkwell is in lovely condition, however appears to have some signs of old stabilisation to the fluorite which has slightly yellowed over time. These stabilisations could very well be from when the piece was formed as an inkwell, with Farmer often using stones of age.
Edward I. Farmer was a prominent American art dealer, antique trader and creator of luxury objects. He operated his own business 'Edward I. Farmer Inc.' for 29 years before his death in 1942. German in origin, Farmer travelled widely in his youth and collected antiquities especially those of oriental origin, which were often later crafted into prized objects at his studio in New York. He worked out of the Carlyle Hotel at one point and has been described as an 'art and antique dealer and collector of Chinese jades and porcelains'. Farmer would regularly turn elaborate and carved semiprecious stones into works of art by making them into boxes, inkwells, push buttons and other desk accessories. Farmer mostly worked with sterling silver, however there are examples in 18 karat gold which are exceedingly rare. Often regarded to be in the taste of 'Cartier', Farmer was highly regarded and created incredible, one of a kind objects.
Signed to underside 'Edward I. Farmer' along with 'New York' and 'Sterling'
Measures - 17cm H x 10cm D