Children at Play

This Conta Boehme porcelain inkstand depicts a delightful scene with three children: a girl sitting in a flower-adorned cart or wagon, and two boys pulling it from the front. The figures are detailed with floral decorations, all wearing garlands. The top portion of the inkwell can be lifted off to reveal two inkwells beneath. The base features a “leaf and berry” design, characterized by painted leaves and berry-like motifs, along with a purple stripe around its perimeter.

Conta & Boehme History

Conta & Boehme, a renowned German porcelain manufacturer, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The company was founded in 1790 in Pössneck, Thuringia, Germany. It became well-known for producing a wide range of porcelain items, including figurines, dolls, and inkwells.

Conta & Boehme gained prominence in the mid-19th century by developing efficient mass production techniques, which allowed them to produce high-quality porcelain at a lower cost compared to their competitors. This innovation helped them dominate the market for porcelain fairings—small, decorative porcelain pieces often given as prizes at fairs1.

The company is particularly noted for its detailed and charming figurines, which often depict scenes from everyday life, humorous situations, or popular cultural themes of the Victorian era.

For a larger version, see this Inkipedia entry: Porcelain Inkstand – Children Celebrating Spring – The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC)