Chinese Porcelain Inkwell

This inkwell, exported from China, is made of porcelain, distinguished by its square form, rich color palette, and intricate decoration.

Form and Composition

• Material: Fine porcelain or ceramic.
• Shape: The inkwell has a square or rectangular body with gently rounded corners, standing firmly on a flat base.
• Structure: It consists of two primary components: the main ink reservoir (the body) and a matching lid.

Decoration

The piece is painted with meticulous detail in a rich, vibrant palette typical of high-quality Chinese decorative wares.

• Dominant Colors: The prevailing colors are deep reds/browns (likely an iron-red or similar enamel) and contrasting white/pale yellow backgrounds, which feature delicate outlines of foliage. There are light shades of green used sparingly for the leaves and vines.
• Gold Details (Gilding): The inkwell is heavily accented with gold gilding. This gold is used to delineate borders, highlight the edges of the square panels, and richly define the vines, leaves, and berries.
• Motif: The decoration is organized into panels that cover the four sides and the lid:
  • Body Panels: Each side features a dense, naturalistic scene of vines, leaves, and clusters of berries/fruit. The painting style is highly detailed, with the red/brown enamels creating a sense of richness and depth against the paler ground.
  • Lid: The lid features a single central scene, most notably depicting one small bird perched among the foliage. The remaining surface of the lid matches the vines and berries motif of the body.

The Base Mark and Dating

The inkwell features a well-known, four-character Chinese reign mark on its underside:

• Mark: 大 明 宣 德 ()
• Translation: “Made during the Xuande reign of the Great Ming Dynasty.” (Xuande reign: 1426–1435).
• Context: This mark is apocryphal (honorific) and does not indicate the inkwell was made in the 15th century. Due to the style of painting, the general dating is consistent with pieces produced in the late 19th or early 20th century (late Qing or Republic Period). The use of the Ming reign mark pays tribute to the highly regarded aesthetic and quality of antique wares.