French Brass Double Inkstand

This ornate brass double inkstand is an example of French Belle Époque desk ware, characterized by its decorative casting.

Physical Description

• Form & Decoration: The inkstand features a rectangular base with heavy Rococo-style relief work, including scrolled foliage, floral swags, and a central cartouche. The outer edge is finished with a prominent rope-twist border.
• Dual Reservoirs: Two raised, square-shaped housings hold the inkwells, each topped with a hinged, domed lid decorated with matching floral motifs and a central finial.
• Internal Components: Both inkwells contain their original, removable white porcelain inserts. One is damaged.

Marking (Underside)

The markings stamped into the central bridge of the underside provide information regarding its legal and manufacturing status:

• DL: These initials represent the maker, Désiré Leroy, a prominent Parisian manufacturer of fine metalwork and desk accessories.
• Nº 9: This is the specific catalog or model number assigned to this particular design by the Leroy workshop.
• 2222: This number appears twice and likely refers to a specific production batch or a design registration code.
• DEPOSE: This is a French legal term (short for Modèle Déposé) indicating that the design was registered and protected under French patent and copyright law.

Origin and Age

• Maker: Désiré Leroy.
• Where: Made in Paris, France.
• When: Manufactured in the late 19th century (circa 1880–1895).

This era was the peak of the French bronze and brass “industrial art” movement, where workshops like Leroy’s specialized in providing luxury “Arts de l’écriture” (Arts of Writing) for both the domestic French market and international export.