A red veined yellow marble inkstand, possibly Maltese and by J. Darmanin & Sons, mid-19th century

The carved initial 'D' at the back of this inkstand could possibly refer to the family firm of J. Darmanin & Sons which was the most prominent Maltese workshop producing objects in inlaid marbles, particularly in the second half of the 19^th century. Their output was of high quality and often included 'Monumental and Mosaic Slabs and other Ornamental Work' and table tops often and rarer smaller objects such as the present lot possibly. Their work was chiefly for export and for British tourists who stopped at Valletta while on the Levantine Grand Tour. Lady Montefiore recorded her visit to their marble works in her journal published in 1885 '[they] produce items that appeared to be imitation of Florentine mosaics'. They used marbles and semi-precious stones imported from Messina, Sicily and the Aegean and included lapis lazuli, verde antico and onyx. A number of Darmanin's ambitious inlaid tables were shown at international exhibitions in London and Paris between 1851 and 1886, including the Great Exhibition, a table which is now in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace was awarded a prize medal there (RCIN 2631). For a full discussion on the firm, see Kate Hay, 'Mosaic Marble Tables by J. Darmanin & Sons of Malta', Furniture History, 2010, vol. XLVI.