Meissen Porcelain Inkstand

This Meissen porcelain inkstand from the early 18th century likely dates to the time of Augustus the Strong, as indicated by the “AR” (Augustus Rex) mark.

Description

The inkstand is a functional desk set consisting of a tray, a lidded inkwell, and a lidded sander (used for drying ink). It is made of fine, hard-paste porcelain, a material pioneered by Meissen.

• Overall Form: The base of the inkstand is a rectangular tray with slightly scalloped, raised edges. It is designed to hold the two functional accessories and would have served as a resting place for a quill pen.
• Inkwell and Sander: The two vessels are a matching pair, with a squat, barrel-like shape and domed lids.
• Decoration: The entire piece is lavishly decorated with hand-painted scenes in the style of Watteau, a French Rococo painter. These are referred to as Watteau Scenes or fête galante scenes. They depict aristocratic figures in graceful poses, engaged in leisure activities in idealized park-like settings. The inkstand features multiple of these scenes on all sides, including on the inkwell and sander themselves. The paintings are framed with delicate, gilded lacework borders, and the entire surface is embellished with gilded accents.
• Markings: The most important feature is the “AR” mark on the underside of the base, indicating that it was created for the personal collection of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, who was the founder of the Meissen factory. This mark is one of the earliest and most prestigious on Meissen porcelain.