Tripodal Inkstand with Applied Floral Dome

This decorative Vieux Paris (Paris porcelain) tripodal inkstand is worked in polychrome enamels and extensive gilding on a lustrous black ground. Standing approximately 8¼ inches high, the piece exemplifies the luxury decorative porcelain retailed under the arcades of the Palais Royal during the early-to-mid 19th century.

Detailed Description

• The Base & Body:

The cylindrical porcelain base features a deep black background embellished with gilded scrolling motifs and a continuous frieze of vibrant, finely hand-painted polychrome floral bouquets and individual flower heads. The base rests upon three gilded porcelain-mounted feet designed as finely detailed lions’ heads leading down into paw feet.

• The Inkwells & Lids:

The top surface of the base is gilded and holds three inset inkwells. Each well features a separate, unattached lid adorned with a floral motif and crowned by a gilt dolphin finial.

• The Covering Dome (Bell):

The inkstand is accompanied by a dramatic, tall, bell-shaped domed cover finished in a rich black glaze. The dome is densely encrusted with three-dimensional applied porcelain (sculpted biscuit and enameled) floral arrangements cascading downward. Realistic flowers—including prominent pink roses, yellow blossoms, delicate white field flowers, and blue clusters—intertwine with green foliage, ripe fruits (such as a prominent peach-like fruit serving as the apex finial), and scattered colorful butterflies and insects.

• Marks:

The underside of the white-glazed base bears a two-part signature consisting of the iron-red stenciled retailer/manufacturer mark “DARTE / Palais Royal / No 21.” alongside the underglaze blue cipher mark “JP”.

Dating the Inkstand

This inkstand was made circa 1820–1830.

Historical Context of the Marks:

• Darte Frères: The Darte brothers operated a prominent Paris porcelain establishment and decorating workshop active from roughly 1804 to the late 1820s, maintaining a well-known retail boutique located at No. 21 Palais Royal.
• Jacob Petit (“JP”): Jacob Petit (1796–1868) was a master designer and manufacturer who trained in Antoine-Pierre Hanapier’s studio and worked closely with various Paris factories, including a significant association with Darte at the Palais Royal before opening his own famous manufactory at Fontainebleau and Belleville. Pieces bearing both the Darte Palais Royal stamp and Petit’s blue “JP” mark typically date from the transition period of circa 1820–1830, when Petit was closely collaborating with or supplying high-end decorative luxury porcelain for the Palais Royal retail houses.