Figural Peacock Majolica Inkstand

This is a vibrant and imaginative figural inkstand designed in the French Majolica style, featuring a detailed bird as the central motif.

• Materials and Glaze: The piece is made of earthenware (pottery) with a thick, brightly colored majolica glaze, known for its glossy, enameled appearance and vibrant, realistic color palette, typical of late 19th-century European ceramics.
• Form and Subject: The inkstand is modeled in the form of a large, exotic peacock.
• Functionality: The entire design integrates writing functions:
  • Inkwell Access: The upper body and head of the bird are designed as a hinged cover. This section opens at the breast (or upper chest) to reveal a cavity underneath, which houses a removable glass inkwell.
  • Pen Rest: The bird’s long, dramatically curved, and brightly plumed tail sweeps forward to serve as a pen rest.
• Aesthetics: The colors are richly applied, emphasizing the iridescence and complexity of the bird’s plumage, particularly on the tail and head. The style is highly decorative and playful, characteristic of the French Majolica period.

Information on the Maker: Georges Dreyfus

The marking “G. D. Paris Déposé” identifies the designer and likely the retailer of this specific piece: Georges Dreyfus of Paris.

• Identity: Georges Dreyfus was a Parisian editor, designer, and retailer of decorative ceramics and objects, active in the late 19th century (c. 1880s–1900s).
• Role (Éditeur/Designer): Dreyfus did not own a ceramics factory but rather commissioned pieces from various established earthenware manufacturers (known as faïenceries), primarily in France and Belgium, to his own designs. He then marketed and sold these pieces under his name.
• The Mark (“G. D. Paris Déposé”):
  • G. D. Paris: Stands for Georges Dreyfus, Paris.
  • Déposé: Is the French equivalent of “Registered” or “Patented/Copyrighted.” This means the design itself (the mold of the peacock inkwell) was legally protected by Dreyfus.
• Origin and Age: This inkstand is an example of the decorative novelty items popular in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras. Based on the style and the period of Dreyfus’s known activity, this inkstand was made between approximately 1885 and 1905.
• Significance: Dreyfus is known for commissioning a range of majolica inkwells and figural groups, many featuring birds, animals, or whimsical scenes, making this peacock/pheasant inkstand a classic example of his branded work in the French majolica market.