Utilitarian Double Inkstand

This double inkstand, made of steel painted red, has a bold, streamlined design. The piece holds two inkpots and includes a channel for pens.

• Inkwells: The two inkwells are made of clear glass and have fitted glass covers. The inkwells, set inside the metal stand, are also covered with hinged metal lids.
• Base and Design: The stand is a single cast piece. The base has an integrated, shallow trough at the front, which serves as a rest for pens.
• Color and Finish: The entire metal stand is painted a deep, glossy red. The paint shows some signs of age and wear, but the color remains vibrant. The combination of red metal and clear glass gives the piece a clean visual impact.

Style and Provenance

• Style: This inkwell is an example of the Art Deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Key Art Deco characteristics are prominent in its design:
  • Geometric and Symmetrical Forms: The symmetrical arrangement of the inkwells is a classic Art Deco element.
  • Clean Lines: The design avoids the ornate, flowing lines of Art Nouveau and instead favors straight lines, angles, and a sense of industrial modernity.
  • Bold Use of Color: The use of a single, vibrant color like this glossy red is typical of the Art Deco period, which embraced rich, saturated hues.
• Origin: The piece was made in what was then Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. The Czech Republic was a major center for producing decorative glass and metalware during this period, and its designers were at the forefront of the Art Deco movement.