Dragonfly Inkwell – R.S. Germany

This ceramic inkwell features a striking Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) design, identified by its hand-painted dragonfly motifs and iridescent luster finish.

Manufacturer Identification

The maker of this inkwell is Reinhold Schlegelmilch, a prolific porcelain manufacturer located in Tillowitz, Germany.

• The Mark: The underside of the base features the distinctive “R.S. Germany” mark, which consists of a green star and wreath with the letters “R” and “S” flanking a central “t” (for Tillowitz).

Description

• The Form: The inkwell has a square, “squat” body with rounded corners and a slightly flared base.
• The Design: The exterior is decorated with highly detailed dragonflies rendered in blue and grey. The wings of the dragonflies wrap around the corners of the well, creating a continuous frieze. The top section of the body is finished in a high-gloss black glaze that provides a dramatic contrast to the light cream/yellow iridescent background below.
• The Lid: The piece includes its original domed lid finished in a bright gold-leaf or gilt.
• Interior: The ink reservoir is integrated directly into the ceramic body and features a clean, white-glazed interior.

Estimated Age and Origin

This inkwell was manufactured in Tillowitz, Germany, approximately between 1910 and 1920.

• The Era: The dragonfly was a signature motif of the Art Nouveau movement, representing nature’s delicacy and transformation. Reinhold Schlegelmilch produced their most artistic “luster” and “shadow” designs during this pre-WWI “Golden Age” of German porcelain.
• Production Context: While the company had several factories, the Tillowitz facility was renowned for its high-quality blanks and innovative glazes. The “R.S. Germany” mark was specifically used for items intended for the international export market, particularly the United States.

“R.S. Germany” is not the legal name of the manufacturer, but rather a specific trade mark used by the porcelain factory Reinhold Schlegelmilch.

The Manufacturer: Reinhold Schlegelmilch

The company was founded and operated by the Schlegelmilch family, with this specific mark originating from their factory in Tillowitz, Germany (now Tułowice, Poland).

• The Star and Wreath Mark: The mark on this inkwell—featuring a wreath, a star, and the “R.S.” initials—was the factory’s primary identifier for porcelain produced for export.
• The “Germany” Designation: The word “Germany” was added to the mark to comply with international trade laws (specifically the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890), which required imported goods to be clearly labeled with their country of origin.

Related Factories

Collectors often group “R.S. Germany” with other marks from the same family-owned company, the most famous being R.S. Prussia.

• R.S. Prussia: Generally denotes pieces made at the company’s factory in Suhl (then part of Prussia) before it closed in 1914.
• R.S. Germany / Tillowitz: After the Suhl factory closed, production shifted primarily to the Tillowitz site, and the “R.S. Germany” mark became the standard for their high-quality Art Nouveau and Art Deco export lines.

The presence of the Reinhold Schlegelmilch mark on this dragonfly inkwell signifies that it was part of their premium line. The firm was famous for its technical mastery of iridescent luster glazes and delicate hand-painted nature scenes, which were highly successful in the American market during the early 20th century.