French Porcelain Pen Wipe

This French porcelain pen wipe, a desktop accessory from the 19th century, was used to clean excess ink and paper fibers from the nibs of dip pens.

Reading the Markings

The mark on the brass base is a standard French patent mark. It reads:

BREVETÉ T H S.G.D.G.

• BREVETÉ: This is the French word for “Patented.”
• S.G.D.G.: This stands for “Sans Garantie du Gouvernement” (Without Government Guarantee). This was a legal disclaimer required on French patents from 1844 until 1968, meaning the state granted the patent without verifying the utility or accuracy of the invention.
• T H: These are the initials of the manufacturer or the patent holder.

Who Made This?

Based on the “TH” initials and the style of the porcelain, this was likely produced by Théodore Haviland or a firm associated with the Haviland family in Limoges, France.

The Havilands were prolific exporters of fine “Limoges” porcelain to the American and British markets. While they are world-famous for dinnerware, they also produced a vast array of “fancy goods” and desk accessories like this pen wipe. The hand-painted floral sprigs and the gilded accents are very characteristic of the Limoges style during the Victorian era.

How Old Is This?

This piece dates to the late 19th century, specifically circa 1870–1890.

• The Technology: Dip pens were the primary writing instrument of the era. The internal brush (often made of boar bristle or horsehair) allowed the writer to “stab” the nib into the bristles to clean it without getting ink on their fingers.
• The Patent Mark: The “S.G.D.G.” mark confirms it is post-1844. The specific style of the floral decoration and the brass “pie-crust” rim are classic indicators of the 1880s aesthetic.

Description of the Piece

• Form: A domed porcelain “inkwell” shape with a side aperture. The base is fitted with a decorative scalloped brass rim.
• Decoration: It features delicate hand-painted polychrome floral sprays (roses, forget-me-nots, and daisies) scattered around the body.
• Gilding: A bold gold leaf circle sits atop the dome, with fine gold pinstriping accentuating the midsection and the opening.
• Interior: The aperture reveals a dense bundle of stiff natural bristles. Unlike some pen wipes that used stacked felt discs, this “brush” style was considered more premium as it cleaned between the tines of the nib more effectively.