Helena Wolfsohn of Dresden – Face Inkwell with Tray

This unusual inkwell design was created by Carl Gotthelf in the early 1800’s. The inkwell itself depicts an older woman with an open mouth (the inkwell) and has two holes at the sides to hold writing instruments. The set is a Meissen blank decorated by Helen Wolfsohn of Dresden, with a mark on the tray dating this to around 1886. The set is in perfect condition with exquisite detail to the woman’s face and royal blue trim, repeated in the shell-shaped tray that is 8 ½” by 6 ½”.  The separate face inkwell is about 4″ by 3″ and fits into the designated well of the tray, which has reticulated edges and hand painted flowers. The mark is on the tray as shown.