French Porcelain Inkstand

Description of the Inkstand

Material & Markings

• Porcelain body, polychrome glazed with a soft yellow ground.
• Marked “Made in France” in red script on the underside—typical of export wares post-1891, when U.S. tariff laws required country-of-origin markings.

Design Features

• Two hinged-lid inkwells: Symmetrically placed, with internal porcelain liners and bronze mounts.
• Five circular openings: Intended for pens, quills, or a wax seal stamp—suggesting multifunctional use.
• Central covered compartment: Ideal for stamps, wafers, or blotting paper. The lid’s placement and prominence suggest it was meant for frequent access.
• Braided bronze mounts: These add structural integrity and decorative flair, especially around the inkwell lids, pen holes, and base trim.
• Gold scrolled handles: Their upward sweep and curvature evoke the silhouette of a Venetian gondola.

Decoration

• Hand-painted floral motifs, dominated by peonies—a flower often associated with abundance and beauty in European decorative arts.
• The palette includes pink, purple, red, and green, with white scrollwork and gold embellishments.