Brass Inkstand with Water Lilies

This Art Nouveau brass inkstand has a central inkwell with a lid that resembles a closed water lily bud or pod. The lid is hinged and opens to access the ink reservoir. The base of the inkwell is distinctively Art Nouveau, with organic, curvilinear edges and a relief decoration featuring stylized water lilies. A long, recessed channel in the front provides a convenient rest for a pen.

Markings:

“Ges Gesch” This is an abbreviation for “Gesetzlich Geschützt”, which is German for “Legally Protected” or “Patented”. It’s similar to “patent pending” or “registered design” and indicates that the design or invention was protected by law, preventing unauthorized copying. This mark is commonly found on items from Germany and Austria-Hungary, particularly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“EP 10385” This mark, especially in conjunction with “Ges Gesch,” likely refers to an English Patent number. “EP” would stand for “English Patent.” The number “10385” would be the specific patent registration number for that design or mechanism in the UK. This indicates that the design was protected in Great Britain as well, which was common for successful designs distributed internationally.

“DSGM 168180” This mark is also German and stands for “Deutsches Reichs-Gebrauchsmuster” (German Empire Utility Model). The number “168180” is the specific registration number for this utility model. A Gebrauchsmuster is a type of industrial property right in Germany that protects technical inventions, similar to a patent but with a simpler and faster registration process and a shorter protection period (initially 3 years, extendable up to 10). It’s sometimes referred to as a “petty patent” or “utility patent.”