Maison Boin-Taburet Ormolu Inkstand

This ormolu inkstand is a superb example of the high-quality gilt-bronze work produced by Maison Boin-Taburet during the late 19th-century French “revival” period.

Description

• Central Figure: The focal point is a finely cast putto (cherub) or child seated in a scholarly pose. He is captured in the act of writing upon a tablet with a stylus, balanced on his knee. He is surrounded by an accumulation of scholarly attributes, including several bound books and a stack of manuscripts, suggesting an allegory of Literature, Study, or History.
• Inkwells: Flanking the central figure are two substantial lidded inkwells. The lids are surmounted by bud-form finials and decorated with a chased leaf pattern. The circular bodies of the wells feature a guilloché-inspired wave and bead motif.
• Inserts: The wells contain their original clear glass liners.
• The Base: The inkstand sits upon a stepped, rectangular Neoclassical base. It is distinguished by a deep swag and tassel drapery motif on the front and sides, accented by scrolling wave patterns and Greek key (Meander) feet.
• Material: The piece is crafted in ormolu (gilt-bronze), exhibiting a rich, matte-and-burnished gold finish characteristic of top-tier Parisian foundries.

About the Maker: Maison Boin-Taburet

Maison Boin-Taburet was established in Paris around 1873-1875 by the antique dealer Georges Boin and the silversmith Émile Taburet. The firm quickly gained international acclaim for reviving 18th-century styles (Louis XV, Louis XVI, and Empire) with extraordinary technical precision.

• Awards: They were awarded a gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, solidifying their reputation as one of the premier luxury goods houses in France.
• Specialization: While they were primarily famous for silver and vermeil, their ormolu desk accessories and “objets de vitrine” were sought after by the European aristocracy for their heavy casting and superior gilding.
• Legacy: Émile Taburet and Georges Boin worked together until 1900, after which the firm underwent several name changes (Boin & Henry, then Henry Brothers). Items marked “Boin-Taburet” generally date from the firm’s most prestigious period, 1875 to 1900.

Interpretation of Markings

“Allemagne” on Glass Inserts

The mark “Allemagne” (the French word for Germany) on the clear glass liners indicates that the glass components were manufactured in Germany. In the late 19th century, German glassworks were world leaders in producing high-quality, durable glass for technical and luxury applications. It was standard practice for elite Parisian houses like Boin-Taburet to source specialized components—such as crystal or glass liners—from renowned German or Bohemian makers while focusing their own expertise on the bronze or silver mounts.

Serial Number: “48480 16”

French luxury firms of this era used sophisticated inventory and pattern numbering systems:

• 48480: This is almost certainly a pattern or model number from the Boin-Taburet archives. These numbers were used to track specific designs in their catalog.
• 16: This sub-number often referred to the size of the piece or a specific finish/variant. For example, a “16” might indicate a specific production batch or workshop code.
• Dating: While the number doesn’t provide a “coded” year like modern hallmarks, the style of the stamp and the partnership period suggest this inkstand was produced between 1880 and 1895. The heavy Neoclassical swags and the use of “A Paris” in the signature are consistent with their output during the 1880s.

Summary Table