Gilt Bronze Inkstand: Shakespeare and the Muse

Detailed Description

• Overall Form & Material: A single, figural inkstand crafted from gilt bronze (bronze coated in gold lacquer/wash).
• Central Figure (Shakespeare):
  • The primary feature is a bust of William Shakespeare, recognizable by his balding head, beard, and Elizabethan collar.
  • This bust sits atop a pedestal which forms the main body of the inkwell. The presence of Shakespeare indicates an English or a highly Anglophile market (such as the Continent) celebrating literary genius.
• Inkwell and Lid:
  • The square glass inkwell is held on the four-footed base below.
  • The lid is separate and features the impressed bust of a female figure.
• Decoration:
  • Enamel Highlights: The piece features enameled highlights, using cold-painted enamel or possibly champlevé techniques in recessed areas. The colors, green and white, add visual richness to the gilt metal.
  • Pen Holder: The base incorporates a raised pen holder above the inkwell.

Identity of the Female Bust

The female bust placed on the inkwell lid is likely intended to represent a Classical Muse.

• Likely Identity: Calliope or Melpomene
  • Calliope (The Muse of Epic Poetry): Given Shakespeare’s status as a playwright, the most appropriate muse is often Calliope. She is traditionally associated with literary inspiration.
  • Melpomene (The Muse of Tragedy): As Shakespeare is equally famous for his great tragedies (Hamlet, Macbeth), Melpomene is a strong candidate.

Origin and Age Assessment

The style of casting, the use of gilt bronze and enamel highlights, and the celebratory nature of the subject matter are characteristic of a specific period and region.

• Likely Origin: The quality and style suggest a major Continental European manufacturing center, often exported to the English-speaking world:
  • France (Articles de Paris): French manufacturers excelled at producing such ornate bronze/gilt metal objets d’art celebrating culture and literature.
  • Austria/Germany: Also known for high-quality spelter and bronze castings finished to resemble fine metalwork.
• Style Period: The reverence for historical figures and the highly decorative, somewhat weighty sculptural style is typical of the mid-to-late 19th Century.
• Estimated Age: circa 1860 – 1900