Meriden Britannia Company (1852-1898). Inkwell and Liner

Description

This was passed down to me by my Grandmother who's had it for decades in storage.  There is an identical one currently on view at the Brooklyn Museum.  Should you have any questions please feel free to ask. The "black" on the elephant isn't as dark as it appears - challenging due to lighting.  It's silver and spectacular to look at.
MAKER
Meriden Britannia Company, 1852-1898
MEDIUM
Silver-plate on white metal
Place Printed:
Meriden, Connecticut, United States
DATES
ca. 1886
DIMENSIONS
4 x 6 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (10.2 x 16.5 x 8.3 cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
On bottom in interlocking circles: "B.MERIDEN / COMPANY" surrounding scales and "QUADRUPLE PLATE; 37 / U.S.A."
SIGNATURE
Unsigned
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in
Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
ACCESSION NUMBER
1990.158a-b
CREDIT LINE
H. Randolph Lever Fund
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
CAPTION
Meriden Britannia Company (1852-1898).
Inkwell and Liner
, ca. 1886. Silver-plate on white metal, 4 x 6 1/2 x 3 1/4 in. (10.2 x 16.5 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 1990.158a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1990.158_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1990.158_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Inkwell (a) and liner (b) realistically modeled as head of an elephant with projecting tusks and curved trunk; hinged lid corresponds to head trapping of elephant and has a realistically modeled figure of a monkey playing a flute as finial. Inside lid is simple cylindrical liner (b) with flaring, out-turned rim; liner fits into circular socket under lid. CONDITION: Normal wear with slight corrosion but very good; inkwell retains traces of original oxidized surface. Liner is worn and corroded in interior.