Dresden Porcelain Inkwell – Richard Klemm

This German porcelain inkwell is a piece of “Dresden porcelain,” a term that refers to the highly decorative Rococo Revival style popularized by independent painting studios in and around Dresden, Germany.

Description

The inkwell is crafted from fine white porcelain and features a central ink pot, accompanied by an integrated tray. It is decorated in the classic “Dresden floral” style, characterized by:

• Hand-Painted Motifs: Vibrant, multi-colored sprays of wildflowers including roses and forget-me-nots.
• Naturalistic Details: Fine execution of green leaves and delicate branching stems.
• Gilded Accents: Rich gold leaf or enamel trim adorns the rims, base, and finial of the lid.

The Manufacturer: Richard Klemm

The Richard Klemm Decorating Studio was one of the most prominent and sought-after workshops in Dresden.

• Establishment: The studio was founded by Karl Richard Klemm in 1869 in the Striesen district of Dresden.
• Technique: Klemm did not manufacture the porcelain “blanks” from scratch. Instead, his studio specialized in purchasing high-quality white porcelain from factories like Meissen and hand-painting them with intricate designs.
• The “Big Four”: Klemm was part of the original “Big Four” Dresden decorating firms (alongside Donath & Co., Oswald Lorenz, and Adolf Hamann) that registered the famous Blue Crown mark in 1883.
• Legacy: Following Karl Richard Klemm’s death in 1916, the studio merged with Donath & Co. and was eventually acquired by the Hutschenreuther company in 1918.

Age of the Piece

Based on the specific mark “Richard Klemm, Dresden, Germany,” this inkwell was likely produced between 1888 and 1916.

• Early Marks: The studio registered its first official “RK” mark in 1880, but the addition of “Germany” underneath the Dresden name became standard practice for pieces intended for export after the Merchandise Marks Act of 1887.
• Final Date: Because the studio merged and the name changed in 1916, pieces bearing only the “Richard Klemm” name were not produced after that year.