Buyer Be Aware – Orlik Porcelain Double Inkwell

These inkwells are marked on the bottom “Orlik”, “Hand Painted”, and “Germany”.  They are usually sold as antiques. One online seller who has sold multiples of these inkwells includes the following in the description:

Alfred Orlik was born in Vienna in 1878 and as an adult moved to New York where he opened a high-end shop and proceeded to commission gift ware from various European makers.

These inkwells are mass-produced, modern-day products. They are all in the same shape from the same mold, varying only in the final design and coloring. Several are shown here. Many come with matching pens. One can question whether they are “hand-painted”. The decoration on all these inkwells is pristine, with a uniform “sameness”.