Airship, Racing Cars, Speedboats

This spelter inkstand from the early 20th century celebrates the spirit of speed and technological innovation. It commemorates the golden age of transportation. The central theme of the piece is the rapidly advancing world of early 20th-century transportation.

The inkwell has an oblong base with a central pen tray, which is impressed with a repeating pattern of stylized motor speedboats, suggesting a race. The main body of the inkwell is decorated with four racing cars, each with a driver at the wheel, two of which serve as finials on the hinged lids covering the inkwells.

The most prominent feature is a large airship, or dirigible, with the name “PATRIE” embossed on its side. This airship is a central element of the design, symbolizing the new frontier of air travel.

The History of the Patrie Airship

The Patrie was a famous semi-rigid dirigible built for the French military by Lebaudy Frères. Completed in late 1906, it was one of the first airships designed specifically for military service. The Patrie successfully performed numerous reconnaissance missions and publicity flights, captivating the public and solidifying France’s place as a leader in aeronautics.

However, the airship is best known for its dramatic loss. On November 30, 1907, during a storm, the Patrie broke free from its moorings and, without a crew on board, was carried by high winds across the English Channel. It was sighted over Ireland before finally being blown out into the Atlantic Ocean, never to be seen again. This event was a major international news story at the time.

Origin and Event Commemoration

This inkstand was likely made in France around 1907-1910. It serves as a commemorative piece celebrating the great innovations of the era. The presence of the Patrie airship, a national icon, alongside the speedboats and race cars, links the piece directly to the early 20th-century fascination with speed and machines.