Cold Painted Fox Inkwell – Buyer Be Aware

Though there’s room for disagreement, I’m concerned that this is of modern production, not an antique.

Concerns:

• Perfect Paint Condition: Antique cold-painted items almost always show some wear, flaking, or fading. The fact that the paint on this piece is “perfect” is a major red flag for a piece claiming to be over a century old. A modern reproduction would have pristine paint because it was made recently.
• “GESCHUTZT” Mark: This is the strongest piece of evidence. “Geschützt” is a German term meaning “protected” and is the equivalent of “copyrighted” or “patent pending.” While the mark was used on a variety of antique German and Austrian items, the location and size are highly unusual. On true antique cold-painted bronze figures (often from workshops like Bergman), the mark is typically very small and discreetly placed on the base or underside. The prominent, large lettering on the neck of this piece is a common characteristic of modern replicas that are trying to create an impression of authenticity.
• Clunky Hinge and Poor Fit: The top and bottom do not align smoothly at the back and the hinge is clunky. This is a sign of mass-produced, lower-quality manufacturing. True antique Vienna Bronze pieces were often meticulously handcrafted, and while they might show wear over time, the initial fit and finish would have been much finer.
• Missing Insert: Though otherwise perfect, the insert is missing.  Furthermore, the opening does not appear to be designed for a standard insert. Many modern reproductions of inkstands and inkwells are made for decorative purposes and lack the functional components (like the glass liner) that were essential to their antique counterparts.

Conclusion

This fox inkwell appears to be a modern production, likely made to replicate the aesthetic of late 19th or early 20th-century Austrian or German cold-painted bronzes.

The prominent “GESCHUTZT” mark, the “perfect” condition of the paint, the poor fit of the hinged parts, and the missing insert are all indicators of a contemporary reproduction. The piece is a decorative homage to the antique style rather than a true antique itself.