Child in a Bathtub

This figural brass inkwell depicts a whimsical scene of a young child bathing inside a classic high-backed “slipper” style bathtub.

Description

• Form & Subject: The inkwell is cast in solid brass, capturing a toddler seated in a high-backed bathtub. The child is depicted looking downwards, mid-bath, with one arm resting playfully against the rim or surface of the “water” and the other held up near their face.
• Mechanics: The water surface acts as a beautifully integrated, hinged lid. It opens via a small, rounded ball finial/knob to reveal a removable white ceramic insert. The lid is fastened internally with a traditional slotted machine screw typical of late 19th-century construction.
• Base: The underside features a flared pedestal base.

Origin & Date of Manufacture

• Where it was Made: Because it is unmarked, attribution relies on style and manufacturing trends. Whimsical, heavy brass novelty figural inkwells of this nature were popular exports from Germany and Austria (Vienna), as well as France and the United Kingdom during the late Victorian era. The heavy casting technique and the precise fit of the porcelain liner point toward a Continental European origin — Germany or Austria, which specialized in producing detailed, humorous, or domestic-themed desk novelties for the international market.
• When it was Made: The design of the high-backed slipper bathtub provides an excellent historical anchor. These specific types of tubs gained widespread popularity during the plumbing innovations of the late 19th century (circa 1880–1900). Given the Victorian taste for sentimental or lighthearted domestic subjects (such as children bathing), this piece can be confidently dated to the late Victorian period, approximately 1885–1900.