French Hand-Painted Porcelain Inkwell

This is a single-reservoir inkwell, made in the Rococo Revival style, from a French porcelain factory of the late 19th or early 20th century.

Construction and Shape

• Body: The main body of the inkwell is circular (round), tapering slightly from the base to the top rim.
• Material: It is crafted from white porcelain with a high-gloss glaze.
• Fittings: The inkwell is covered by a hinged, circular lid secured by brass fittings around the rim and the hinge mechanism.

Decoration and Painting

The inkwell is decorated with hand-painted elements:

• Ground Color: The porcelain surface is primarily painted in a deep, glossy enamel.
• Gold Accents: The base, rims, and the intricate frames around the painted scenes are detailed with gold linear trim.
• Painted Panels (Four Scenes): The round body is divided into four main sections, each housing a distinct, hand-painted scene within an ornate, gilded cartouche (frame). These scenes alternate between figures and florals:
  • Couple Scenes (2 panels): Two panels depict intimate Rococo-style couples—a man and woman—in pastoral or garden settings. They are painted in the style of 18th-century Fête galante scenes, featuring period clothing and leisurely poses.
  • Floral Scenes (2 panels): The two alternate panels contain meticulously detailed hand-painted floral arrangements or bouquets.
• Lid Detail: The circular, hinged lid features a white or cream-colored ground surrounding a small, central, finely painted violet flower.