A Fount of Knowledge

This inkstand is a single inkwell, an imaginative work in gilded bronze. It merges a mythological theme with the practical function of a desk accessory.

• The Inkwell: The core of the piece is the head of an old man, intricately sculpted with a flowing beard and expressive features. His top is hinged and opens to reveal the inkwell (missing insert here). The “water” flowing from his mouth, sculpted from bronze, reinforces his identity as a figure of nature. The inkwell itself is a reinterpretation of a natural spring or fountain.
• Mythological Figures: The man’s face is a classic depiction of a river god from Greco-Roman mythology. These deities, such as Oceanus or a local river spirit, were often personified as old, bearded men from whose mouths or beards water would flow. The bird on his head serves as a decorative finial, while the two birds perched on the front of the “pond” complete the natural scene. The base is sculpted to resemble a pond or a small body of water, and provides a place to rest a pen.

Mythological Writing and Context

The inkwell is not merely a fountain; it is a fountain of knowledge and creativity, literally flowing from the head of a mythological god.

The river god archetype can be metaphorically tied to the source of inspiration. The flowing “water” from the god’s mouth, which in this case becomes ink, represents the stream of ideas, stories, and words that flow from the writer’s pen. This design elevates the functional object to a symbolic statement about the sacred and divine nature of creation and writing.

This piece is a classic example of 19th-century French or Austrian decorative art, which often drew inspiration from mythological and classical themes to create lavish, allegorical objects. The fine casting and imaginative design are hallmarks of the period’s craftsmanship.