Brass Double Inkstand with Chinese Dragons

This brass inkstand includes two clear glass inkwells with a swirl design topped with brass lids with ball finials. The base is decorated with mythical creatures in raised relief – Chinese dragons with serpentine bodies, scales, and horns. They have fierce expressions with open mouths and visible teeth.  Some have clawed paws. They are depicted in dynamic poses, winding and intertwining across the base. Chinese dragons are powerful and auspicious creatures in Chinese mythology. They are symbols of power, strength, and good fortune. The overall design is asymmetrical and highly detailed, characteristic of certain styles from the late 19th or early 20th century, with influences from East Asian aesthetics. The underside of the inkstand is marked with the number “1453”.