Birds on a Branch by Heintz

This is an inkwell from the Heintz Art Metal Shop with a distinctive “Verde” green patina finish and sterling silver overlay.

• Form and Material: The body of the inkwell is round and slopes inward towards the top. It is made of bronze with a dark, green “Verde” patina, which provides a nice contrast to the silver overlay.
• Design: The sides of the inkwell feature a decorative sterling silver overlay in the form of two small birds perched on a branch with leaves.
• Lid and Inner Inkwell: The inkwell has a hinged lid covering an inner glass inkwell with its own hinged metal lid. This “double lid” configuration helps prevent the ink from drying out.

Heintz Art Metal Shop

The Heintz Art Metal Shop was founded in 1906 in Buffalo, New York, by Otto Heintz. The company is celebrated for its unique products that combined patinated bronze with sterling silver overlay. This technique was a signature of the firm and a hallmark of the American Arts and Crafts movement with a touch of Art Nouveau. Heintz received a patent for his process in 1912, which involved applying a thin layer of sterling silver to the bronze and then chemically treating the bronze to achieve various colors, such as the “Verde” green patina on this inkwell. The silver design remained bright and shiny, creating a beautiful contrast.