Inkwell - Iron (cast/wrought)

A Victorian painted cast iron figural inkwell depicting Daniel Lambert (1770–1809), a well-known English public figure who served as keeper of Leicester Gaol and became famous for his extraordinary size. He is modelled seated with a roast bird, knife and fork. The hinged head lifts to reveal the original removable white glass liner, the top hat forming the cover.

Retaining much of its original polychrome decoration, with expected rubbing, paint losses and minor oxidation consistent with age and use. The hinge operates correctly and the glass liner is present. The underside has an old repair with overpainted filler and later grey paint, as shown in the photographs. No other visible cracks or repairs to the cast iron.