Gouda Pottery Inkstand

This is a Gouda pottery inkstand with two inkwells, showcasing the characteristic Art Nouveau style and vibrant colors of Gouda ceramics.

Key Features:

• Material: Earthenware pottery, glazed and hand-painted.
• Form:
  • Rectangular Base: The inkstand has a rectangular base with slightly rounded corners.
  • Two Inkwells: Two bulbous, domed inkwells are attached to the base.
  • Integrated Pen Tray: The base also functions as a pen tray.
• Decoration:
  • Art Nouveau Style: The inkstand exhibits the flowing lines, organic motifs, and stylized floral designs characteristic of Art Nouveau.
  • Hand-Painted Floral Motifs: The inkwells and base are decorated with hand-painted floral motifs, including a large central flower and smaller floral designs on the inkwells.
  • Vibrant Colors: The inkstand features a rich color palette, including orange, blue, green, and purple, outlined with gold.
• Markings on the Bottom:
  • “REGINA” (Top): This is the brand name, indicating that the inkstand was made by Plateelbakkerij Regina, a well-known pottery factory in Gouda, Netherlands.
  • Stylized Crown (Below “REGINA”): This is a common symbol used by Regina, often seen in their marks.
  • “179.” (Left): This is likely a pattern or model number.
  • “W.B. LABO” (Center): This is likely the decorator’s signature or initials. The “W.B. LABO” mark suggests that the piece was hand-painted by an individual artist with those initials. This is a common practice in Gouda pottery, where pieces were often hand-decorated by skilled artisans.
  • “GOUDA” (Center Below “W.B. LABO”): This confirms the place of manufacture.
  • “HOLLAND” (Bottom): This indicates the country of origin.