A large brass inkwell made by Richard Llewellyn Rathbone in 1903.
This is a typical Rathbone inkwell with hand planished lid and a riveted body. Many of these designs were taken on by Jesson Birkett & Co but this one is clearly marked to the base with the Rathbone makers mark, design number 680 and the year, 1903.
The ceramic inkwell may or may not be original to the piece.
Rathbone is often considered one of the best Arts & Crafts metalworkers of the period and his pieces are becoming increasingly hard to find.