Nippon Porcelain Inkwell

This porcelain inkwell is a product of Japan, indicated by the “Nippon” mark, and features vibrant hand-painted sporting scenes and distinctive gold embellishments.

• Form and Glaze: The inkwell has a square, slightly tapered body with a separate, fitted square lid. The porcelain features a soft pale green ombre or gradient glaze, transitioning from a lighter shade at the top to a slightly deeper green towards the base.
• Hand-Painted Scenes:
  • One side of the inkwell depicts a horse and rider. The horse is a light tan or cream color, captured in mid-stride. The rider is dressed in traditional fox-hunting attire, including a red coat and a cap.
  • The opposite side features a running hunting dog, rendered with brown and white markings.
  • The lid is has a delicate depiction of a dove in flight.
• Gold Beading Decoration: Along the top and bottom edges of the inkwell body, and around the edges of the lid, there is a distinctive gold beading decoration. This type of ornamentation, where small, raised dots or beads of gold enamel are applied in a continuous line, is commonly referred to as “jeweled” or “beaded” gilt work.
• Ink Reservoir: When the lid is removed, a cylindrical opening is revealed, indicating a removable porcelain ink reservoir or liner that sits within the main body.
• Marks: The bottom of the inkwell is clearly marked with the green backstamp “Nippon – Hand Painted” and features the letter “M” encircled by a wreath. The “Nippon” mark indicates that the piece was manufactured in Japan during the period roughly between 1891 and 1921, when Japanese porcelain intended for export to Western markets was required to be marked “Nippon” by US import laws. The “M” in a wreath mark is generally attributed to the Morimura Bros. company, a significant Japanese exporter and later manufacturer (which eventually became Noritake), active during this “Nippon” period.