Inkipedia

Bronze and Chinese Porcelain Inkstand

Categories Far East / Oriental
Material Bronze, Porcelain
Markings See Narrative
Origin France
Date or Era circa 1880
Measuring 3 ¾” wide; 4 ¾” high

An unusual inkstand mounted on gilt bronze rectangular base with bead trim, supported by four-footed acanthus leaves.  The base holds a Chinese porcelain tray, hand-painted with people in a garden scene. Fixed to the tray is a meandering gilt branch, with leaves and flowers, which serves as a pen holder and supports the porcelain inkwell. The porcelain inkwell has a hand painted scene featuring a man next to a river in the mountains. Chinese script appears on one side of the inkwell. The inkwells’s hinged ornate lid has a lotus finial.

The signature “E. Dreyfous” appears on the side rim of the bronze base. Edouard Henry Dreyfous was a retailer of antique furniture and objets d’art in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Although French by birth, Dreyfous predominantly resided in London where he traded from various premises in the Mayfair area. Aside from his main shop in London, Dreyfous also owned establishments in both Paris and New York. Queen Alexandra of England and Queen Mary of England were both frequent customers of Dreyfous, purchasing a range of works. Aside from his main shop in London, Dreyfous also held premises in Paris and New York.

 

Sold for $334 in September 2011

Content disclaimer. The information posted is the owner’s best knowledge and may not have been vetted by the SOIC. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions, working to make our website information comprehensive and accurate.

Give Feedback


Join the Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC) – it’s free!

Founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization,
we are documenting inkwells (and accessories).
We’re here to help and inform!

Join Now