This is a special and unique arts and crafts silver and copper inkwell designed and made by Bernard Cuzner, whilst working with Oliver Baker at William Hair Haseler.

It is one of those very rare pieces produced by Baker or Cuzner in 1898/9, prior to the Cymric range when the firm of William Hair Haseler were experimenting with their own artistic range of silver.   This was later assumed by Liberty within the Cymric range, a joint venture between Haseler and Liberty.  In c 1900 this same inkwell design was produced in silver within the Cymric range, appearing in the Liberty & Co silver sketch book at the Westminster Archive with model number 658.  See the archive item A175 at this link for an example.

The inkwell includes classic Cuzner or Baker features of riveted strap work and coiling wirework. The inkwell is held together with visible silver rivets – a lovely touch. This inkwell is marked with an inscribed monogram to the base “BLC” for Bernard Lionel Cuzner.

An image of what I am sure is this exact inkwell was published in Kunst and Kunsthandwerk Vol 5, 1898, page 616 – see images.  The photo is from the Bristol Arts and Crafts exhibition, Clifton, 1898.

See this link to read my article on Oliver Baker, and Cuzner’s, early experimental work for Haseler in 1898/9.

Price range: £2,250

Maker: Bernard Cuzner

Designer: Bernard Cuzner

Date: 1898/1899

Marks: BLC monogram. Not assayed

Material: Sterling silver, copper

Condition: Excellent

Size: 8.5cm diameter, 4.5cm high

Weight : NM