Art Deco “Seated Cat” Inkstand

Art Deco “Seated Cat” Inkstand

• Style & Period: This is a classic example of Art Deco design, dating to the 1920s or 1930s. The key indicator is the “modernist” simplification of the cat’s form—instead of realistic fur texture, the artist has used smooth, sleek curves and geometric lines to capture the essence of the animal.
• The Figure: The centerpiece is a stylized cat seated in a contemplative pose. The smooth surface and streamlined shape are hallmarks of the Art Deco “animalier” sculpture tradition.
• The Inkwell: To the right of the cat is a matching inkwell. It features a geometric, faceted body (octagonal) which contrasts nicely with the curves of the cat. It retains its hinged lid and original glass insert (liner).
• The Base: The figures are mounted on a rectangular slab of grey veined marble. The front of the marble features a routed channel (groove) designed to serve as a pen rest.
• Material:  Spelter (a zinc alloy) that has been electroplated with copper or given a copper-bronze patina. This was a very common technique for Art Deco desk sets, allowing for the look of solid bronze or copper at a more accessible price point.

Where and When was it made?

• Origin: This piece is almost certainly French.
  • France was the epicenter of Art Deco production, and this specific format—stylized spelter animals mounted on marble bases—was a staple of French decorative arts industries in the interwar period.
  • Similar pieces were produced by makers such as M. Font, Franjou, TEDD, and Limousin, though many were sold unsigned or simply marked “Made in France.”
• Date: Circa 1925–1935. This period (the “Interwar” years) was the height of the Art Deco movement, where household objects like inkstands were redesigned to reflect the new, modern aesthetic.