Geisha Girl Figural Inkwell

This geisha girl figural inkwell is an example of cold-painted spelter from the late 19th or early 20th century, a period when Japonisme (the influence of Japanese art on Western culture) was highly fashionable.

Description

• The Figure: The piece depicts a kneeling geisha girl wearing a traditional blue kimono with a contrasting yellow obi (sash).
• The Inkwell: Positioned to her left is a cylindrical vessel styled to look like a woven basket or drum, which serves as the actual ink reservoir. The lid of this vessel is hinged and decorated with radial lines. The original insert is missing.
• Materials: It is made of cast metal, a zinc alloy (spelter), and has been cold-painted. The significant paint loss reveals the underlying dark gray metal.

Origin and Markings

Based on the impressions on the underside, this piece was made in Austria.

• Transcription: The bottom is stamped with “AUSTRIA” and the phrase “GES. GESCHÜTZT“.
• Meaning: Gesetzlich Geschützt is a German term meaning “protected by law” (similar to a patent or copyright mark).

Estimated Age

This inkwell was produced circa 1890–1910. During this era, Austrian manufacturers were world leaders in creating these whimsical, highly detailed “desk-top sculptures” for export to the American and British markets.