Dutch Girl Porcelain Inkwell

This three-part Dutch Girl porcelain inkwell is an example of early 20th-century “novelty” porcelain, likely originating from the prolific factories of Germany.

Description

The inkwell is designed as a stylized, anthropomorphic figure consisting of three distinct components:

• The Base: Formed as the girl’s voluminous, bell-shaped skirt. It features an integrated pen ledge at the front, designed to hold a dip pen horizontally.
• The Top: This removable section serves as the girl’s upper torso and head. She is depicted in traditional Dutch attire, including a pointed white cap (Knippermuts) and a bodice with painted decorative details.
• The Insert: A small, removable white porcelain well (or liner) that sits inside the skirt base to hold the liquid ink.

Origin and Maker Information

• Where it was made: This style is almost exclusively attributed to Germany, specifically the Thuringia region, which was the global center for affordable, high-quality porcelain figurines and novelties.
• When it was made: This inkwell dates to the early 20th century (circa 1900–1920). This era saw a fascination with “Old World” European motifs, and the “Dutch Girl” was a highly popular character used across various household items.

Production Details

The piece is made of glazed porcelain and is decorated with overglazed hand-painted enamels.