Price On Request A George III silver-gilt Inkstand, London 1798This is a wonderful late 18th century silver gilt inkstand. It was made by Wakelin & Garrard and is hallmarked for London 1798. Length: 31cm (12.2inches) Wakelin & Garrard was a very interesting and important silversmith in England and became the crown jewellers in the 19th century when it finally became Garrards. The founder of the firm was George Wickes who was apprenticed to Samuel Wastell in 1712 and free in 1720. His first mark was entered in 1722. He entered his Panton Street marks in 1735 and it is clear from the surviving Garrards' ledger that this is when he began an independent existence. The firm was known successively as George Wickes, Craig & Wickes, George Wickes, Wickes & Netherton, Parker & Wakelin, Wakelin & Taylor, Wakelin & Garrard and when Robert Garrard took sole control in 1802 it had already been established in Panton Street for sixty-seven years. On his death in 1818 he was succeeded by his three eldest sons Robert Garrard (junior), James Garrard and Sebastian Garrard, trading as R J & S Garrard. James Garrard appears to have retired c.1835 and from then until 1843, the year in which they succeeded Rundell, Bridge & Co as Crown Jewellers, they traded as R & S Garrard.