French Porcelain Rococo Inkstand

French Porcelain Rococo Inkstand

• Overall Form and Style: The inkstand is rectangular and elevated on an elaborate base, characteristic of the Rococo style with its emphasis on asymmetry, curves, natural forms, and elaborate ornamentation. The dominant color is a creamy white porcelain, heavily adorned with gold gilt and vibrant hand-painted floral motifs.
• Base and Feet: The base features deeply sculpted, scrolled feet.
• Figural Elements: A prominent feature on the front side of the inkstand’s body is a sculpted human face, likely a classical or mythological figure (possibly a putto or a nymph), molded in relief from the porcelain itself.
• Top Compartments and Features: The top surface of the inkstand includes:
  • Central Pen Tray: A long, shallow, oval-shaped depression runs down the center, intended as a pen tray. This area is richly decorated with hand-painted floral bouquets.
  • Inkwell and Pounce Pot Openings: To the left, there’s a small, lidded circular opening, which would hold an inkwell. To the right, there’s a circular opening with a pierced, grate-like top, a “pounce pot” (holding a powder, often finely ground pumice or sand, to dry ink). Both of these are surrounded by gold-gilded rims.
  • Additional Floral Decoration: Smaller hand-painted floral sprays are scattered across the top surface.
• Decoration – Gold Gilt: The piece is lavishly decorated with gold gilding. This includes the edges, the raised scrolled forms, the details on the feet, around the compartments, and highlighting the sculpted faces. The goldwork is extensive and contributes significantly to the opulent Rococo aesthetic.
• Decoration – Hand-Painted Flowers: Bright and detailed hand-painted floral bouquets are a key decorative element. These flowers are depicted in a variety of colors including pinks, purples, blues, yellows, and greens for the foliage, arranged in naturalistic clusters.