French Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Inkwell

This inkwell is an example of luxury desk ware that blends ornate metalwork with hand-painted porcelain, produced in France during the mid-to-late 19th century (circa 1860–1880).

Description

• The Porcelain Body: The central reservoir is a globular porcelain inkwell with hand-painted floral bouquets within gilded reserves. The background is finished in a vibrant “Céleste” blue (heavenly blue), a color popularized by the Sèvres porcelain factory.
• The Metal Mounts: The porcelain is set within elaborate gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
  • The Lid: A hinged, domed lid with chased foliate patterns and a small ball finial.
  • The Tray: The inkwell sits on a wide, ruffled “saucer” base with a beaded rim and intricate engraved scrollwork.
• Internal Components: The lid opens to reveal a removable clear glass insert.
• Construction: The underside reveals a central threaded bolt and square nut, which is the traditional 19th-century method for securing heavy cast-metal assemblies.

Origin and Identification

• Where Made: Paris, France. The combination of “Sèvres-style” porcelain with high-quality bronze casting is a hallmark of Parisian luxury goods from the Napoleon III era.
• When Made: Circa 1860–1880. This period favored the “Neo-Rococo” revival, evidenced by the ruffled edges and romantic floral painting.
• Who Made It: While frequently unmarked, these pieces were often produced by premier Parisian firms such as Tahan or Alphonse Giroux, who specialized in objets de vertu for the international market. The porcelain itself may have been sourced from a smaller Parisian workshop (often called “Paris Porcelain”) and decorated in the style of earlier 18th-century Sèvres pieces.