French Porcelain Inkwell

This porcelain inkwell, with an off-white primary color, is highlighted with gilt gold trim on its edges.

• Overall Form and Decoration: The inkwell sits on a saucer-like base. The surface of the base is decorated with garlands of flowers painted in delicate colors (pinks, blues, greens, yellows) interspersed with green foliage. These garlands are arranged symmetrically, creating an abundant floral motif that circles the base.
• Central Inkwell: Rising from the center of the base is the inkwell, which features elegant molding and gilt trim around its rim and base. The inkwell is topped with a fitted, hinged lid with finial.

Identifying the Mark:

The impressed mark on the underside identifies the manufacturer:

• Mark: “JOSEPHINE” with an eagle emblem above it.

Identification of Manufacturer and When it was Made:

The mark “JOSEPHINE” with an eagle emblem points to a specific period in porcelain manufacturing.

• Manufacturer/Origin: This mark is associated with French porcelain, specifically the Imperial and Restoration periods (early to mid-19th century). The eagle emblem indicates Imperial French connection, particularly referencing the First or Second French Empire (Napoleonic era and later), where the eagle was a dominant symbol.
  • The name “Josephine” most directly evokes Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, who was a significant patron of the arts and played a role in the style of the Empire period. While it might not mean it was made for her, it certainly leverages her name and association with the Imperial court for branding.
  • This mark is known to have been used by various private Parisian porcelain manufacturers during the 19th century who sought to associate themselves with the prestige of the Imperial court, often producing fine wares in the Empire or Restoration styles. It was not a mark of Sèvres, which was state-owned and used its distinctive “L” monogram.
  • One notable factory associated with “Josephine” type marks and eagles is Porcelaine de Paris or other private Parisian manufactories that flourished in the wake of the Empire style.
• Age: The style of the inkwell combined with the “Josephine” and eagle mark  suggests a production date in the first half to mid-19th century.
  • The Empire style (roughly 1804-1815) heavily used eagles.
  • The Restoration period (1814/1815-1830) and Louis Philippe period (1830-1848) saw a continuation and evolution of these classical and naturalistic forms.

Therefore, this inkwell was likely made by a private French porcelain manufactory in Paris (or its environs) using the “JOSEPHINE” mark with an eagle emblem to evoke Imperial prestige. Its style and mark place its manufacture in the first half of the 19th century, likely between 1815 and 1850.