Hammered Brass Figural Bird Inkstand

Description

• Design & Theme: The inkstand features a cohesive Japonisme / Aesthetic Movement design centered on naturalistic, organic elements.
• The Tray: The oblong, lobed tray features a dimpled, hammered texture (often referred to as martelé), which was popularized to give factory metalwork a hand-crafted, artisanal look. The outer rim and the two integrated side handles are molded to resemble bamboo or natural branches. The surface is decorated in low relief with a flying bird and flowering branches (resembling cherry/plum blossoms or morning glories).
• The Inkwell Pot: Styled to look like a miniature cauldron, the inkwell rests on three short branch-form feet. It features two small branch-molded side handles and echoes the hammered ground and floral relief decoration seen on the tray.
• Lid & Finial: The domed lid is attached by a rear hinge and is crowned with a sculptural finial of a bird with outspread wings captured mid-perch.
• The Interior: Inside sits the original, removable white ceramic insert.
• The Pen Holder: Mounted directly behind the inkwell are two sturdy, vertical cast-metal forked branches/sticks that function as a cradle to rest a dip pen horizontally.
• Underside Construction: The flat underside features three period-accurate, flush-slotted machine screws that anchor the heavy cauldron inkwell and the branch pen rests securely to the tray.

Where and When Was It Made?

• Estimated Date: Circa 1880–1905.
• The Historical Era: This piece directly stems from the height of the Aesthetic Movement and the Western craze for Japonisme. Following the opening of Japan to the West in the mid-19th century, Western manufacturers and consumers became obsessed with Japanese artistic motifs, particularly asymmetrical nature scenes, bamboo trim, hammered metal finishes, and natural flora/fauna.