Clown Figural Inkwell

This is a charming French porcelain inkwell in the form of a clown, produced by the renowned A. Lanternier factory in Limoges, France.

Construction and Function

• Subject: A single figure of a clown, his head rising from his expansive costume.
• Inkwell Function: The ink reservoir is accessed by removing the head and hat section, which lifts off as one single piece.
• Material: Glazed white porcelain with hand-painted decoration.

Decoration and Details

• Clown’s Garment (Base): The large, bell-shaped lower part of the figure’s costume is the main body of the inkwell. It is decorated with a pattern of bold, hand-painted florals and leaves (primarily pink, magenta, and blue) set against a yellow background.
• Lid (Head and Hat): The lift-off lid consists of the clown’s face and hat.
  • Face: Painted clown-white with simple, slightly melancholic features.
  • Hat: The cap is painted a solid white color.

Analysis of Markings and Origin

The markings on the base provide information about the manufacturer and origin.

1. Limoges Porcelain

This inkwell was made by a Limoges company. The porcelain industry in Limoges, France, was centered on dozens of independent factories and decorating studios. Porcelain from any of these firms is commonly referred to as “Limoges Porcelain.”

2. The Primary Mark: A. L. FRANCE

The primary green underglaze mark, featuring an “A. L.” monogram with “FRANCE” underneath, identifies the manufacturer as Alfred Lanternier.

• “A.L.” is Alfred Lanternier: Alfred Lanternier established one of the most distinguished porcelain manufacturing and decorating companies in Limoges. This type of mark, often with the initials or the full name, was used by the Lanternier factory.

3. The Secondary Mark (Hand-Painted Number)

The other marking is an unidentified hand-painted number, possibly a style or inventory number. It is common to see painted numbers or initials on the base of such items, which served as:

• A model or mold number used by the factory.
• An artist/decorator mark used for tracking piecework or quality control.
• An inventory number added later by a dealer or collector.