Bronze Inkstand with Pheasants

Description

This Art Nouveau bronze inkstand features a sculptural pair of pheasants resting on a textured, naturalistic ground:

• Sculptural Figures: Two highly detailed, cast-bronze pheasants stand side-by-side on a terrain-textured section at the left. The larger male cock pheasant displays a long, sweeping tail feather, alongside a smaller hen pheasant.
• Form & Structure: The right side of the tray steps up into a rectangular, lidded inkwell housing a removable white milk-glass insert. The hinged cover features a smooth, arced ribbon-style handle/finial.
• Pen Tray: A broad, sweeping pen trough curves across the front edge to hold writing instruments.
• Pen: The accompanying black dip pen is inscribed with gold lettering reading “LUXEUIL” (referencing the famous French spa town of Luxeuil-les-Bains) flanked by small clover/flower motifs.
• Underneath: The underside is hollow-cast bronze and retains its hinged lid tension wire and glass insert base well.

Origin & Attribution

• Where was it made? France. The styling and accompanying “Luxeuil” souvenir dip pen strongly connect the ensemble to late 19th / early 20th-century French desk sets.
• Who made it? The bronze inkstand itself is unmarked (no foundry stamp or artist signature). Pieces of this specific mold/model were unsigned cast bronzes sold through fine decorative art retailers and desk accessory makers.
• When was it made? Circa 1900–1910, during the height of the Art Nouveau period.