Cast brass inkwell stand, with a ceramic inkwell; Art Nouveau style, decorated with foliate and geometric designs. Inscribed on bottom: "D.L. [Déposé] / N=49" – [presumably France, late 19th or early 20th century].

Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… the inkwell used by my grandmother Sterna Sarah, from the time we were in Lubavitch until we left Europe I always saw this inkwell on her desk". Dated - November 12, 1989. A wooden box is enclosed (the box was given together with the inkwell, though it is not mentioned in the letter).

Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1860 to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Her mother was the daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe.

In 1865, she became engaged to the Rashab. The betrothal was celebrated in the home of the Tzemach Tzedek (the groom and bride were both five years old). The couple were wed ten years later, in 1875.

She stood beside her husband and assisted him in all communal matters. She was very active in supporting the Tomchei Tmimim yeshiva, and established an international women's organization in support of the students of the boys' schools of Lubavitch. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw to the United States together with her only son, Rebbe Rayatz. She passed away on 13th Shevat, 1942, and was buried in New York. The Beit Sarah network of girls' schools was named after her.

Ink stand: maximum size approx. 14X9X13.5 cm. Inkwell: 4X3.5 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.