Buyer Be Aware! Art Nouveau Inkstand Signed by N. Vidal

I started using eBay in April 1998. I searched for inkwells and bought many. This inkwell frequently appeared – in fact, the listings were so frequent, it raised suspicions. Certainly, the piece was not “rare”. I never bought one. I’ve never held this inkwell in my hands. I never will. It seems to be of modern (since 1998) production. I have no proof. It’s just my opinion.

Some eBay listings attribute the piece to Nicolas Vidal, an artist “who specialized in inkwells. (1831 – 1892)”. I was unable to find any specifics about Nicolas Vidal.

Some attribute the piece to Louis Navetel Vidal (1831 – 1892). Louis Navetel Vidal was a student of Antoine Louis Barye and Rouillard. He was blind and did his sculpture entirely by touch and feel. His final clays were oftentimes edited slightly, for obvious reasons, by the elder Barye and by his son Alfred. Vidal exhibited at the Salon from 1859 through 1882. Vidal was patronized by the Rothchilds as well as Princess Mathilde. He signed his pieces as “Vidal (aveugle)” (“aveugle” is the French word for blind).

Did Louis Navetel Vidal sculpt this piece? Do you think the Rothchilds had this inkwell in their home? My opinion is “no”.