{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O77634"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O77634/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AU4391/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AU4391/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AU4391","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KU4198","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O77634/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O77634","accessionNumber":"481&A-1901","objectType":"Commemorative inkstand","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>This  inkstand was probably designed as a souvenir of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The foot of the object is divided into compartments showing images linking raw materials, business and retailing with manufactures and art products. For example 'Manufactures' shows a weaver, a designer and a potter at work. Named designers in the ribbon around the edge of the foot reinforce the links to art and design, while the globe containing the inkwell adds the international dimension that the Great Exhibition was the first to exploit.<br><br><b>People</b><br>The inkstand was designed by the designer and illustrator John Leighton (1822-1912), who worked under the pseudonym Luke Limner. The inkstand's design originally appeared as a metal plaque on the cover of the <i>Art Journal</i> catalogue of the Great Exhibition. Leighton designed stained glass, ceramics and bookbindings as well as serving on the jury of the Paris Exhibition of 1878. The inkstand was made by  Elkington & Co., the largest and most ambitious silversmiths in the 19th century.<br><br><b>Historical Associations</b><br>The inkstand commemorates the Great Exhibition of 1851 and was made by Elkington and Co., who won a coveted Council medal for the ingenious use of electricity to create works of art. The inkstand was gilded by an electric current.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Elkington & Co.","id":"A1408"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Gilt and silvered bronze, with glass lining","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Tools & Equipment","id":"THES48883"},{"text":"Great Exhibition","id":"THES48945"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AU4391","2018KU4198"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"122F (VA)","id":"THES49220"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":"21"},{"current":{"text":"122F (VA)","id":"THES49220"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":"21"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Inkstand","id":""}],[{"text":"Bottle","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Birmingham","id":"x28748"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1850","earliest":"1845-01-01","latest":"1854-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by John Leighton","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"23.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: Measured; 28/06/1999 by LH","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Made by Elkington & Co., Birmingham","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Commemorative gilt and silvered bronze inkstand. Designed by John Leighton and manufactured by Elkington and Co. Birmingham, about 1850.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nThe decoration of this inkstand represents the ideals of the Great Exhibition, whcih was intended to display the best-designed examples of manufactured objects, improve popular taste, promote international peace and stimulate trade. The international nature of the Exhibition is symbolised by the globe, which contains an inkwell.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["481-1901","481A-1901"],"accessionNumberNum":"481","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1901,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Inkstand","Bottle"],"assets":["2019LR1824","2019LP6792","2019LR6295","2019LR5358","2019LU1239","2019LV5568"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}