Art Nouveau Woman’s Bust

This Art Nouveau figural inkwell dates to the early 20th century (c. 1900–1915).

1. Description and Style

• Form: The inkwell is modeled as a bust of a woman in the Art Nouveau style.
  • The Hair: Her long, flowing hair cascades down to form the base of the inkwell. This emphasis on organic, sinuous lines is the defining characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement.
  • The Garland: She wears a wreath or garland of flowers and leaves around her head, which functions as the hinged lid.
• Mechanism: The top of the head flips open to reveal a white ceramic ink insert nestled inside the hollow metal head.
• Material: It is made of a white metal alloy (spelter or a lead-antimony alloy) which was then gilded (coated in a gold finish).

2. Origin and Maker

• Origin: Likely United States
  • The “Dreamy Maiden” motif was popular.
  • The casting style and the use of gold-painted spelter (often called “French Bronze” or “Pompeian Gold” in catalogs) strongly points to American manufacturing centers like Connecticut or New York.

3. Age

• Date: Circa 1900–1915.
  • This “Gibson Girl” or “Nouveau Nymph” aesthetic went out of fashion after World War I, replaced by the geometric Art Deco style.