Hand-Painted Dutch Gouda Inkwell

Description

• Overall Form: A round, saucer-like base tray with an attached central cylindrical well housing a removable ceramic ink insert, covered by a fitted lid with a green finial.
• Color Palette: Set against a smooth cream/ivory background, featuring hand-painted motifs in sunflower yellow, sage green, cobalt blue, rust red, and rich brown, accented by dark scrollwork and banding.
• Decorative Motifs:
  • Tray Base: Radiating stylized sunflower/floral blossoms around the perimeter intermixed with fan-shaped green foliate sprays and scrolls.
  • Cylindrical Well: Alternating floral sprigs and dark scrollwork, framed by double rust-red horizontal bands at top and bottom.
  • Lid: A radiating leaf/dot pattern topped with a pointed green finial knob.
• Base Markings: Handwritten underglaze marks on the underside read:
  • 162/2. (Mold/model and decor number)
  • IVORA – GOUDA.
  • HOLLAND.
  • IK (Painter’s monogram/initials)

Manufacturer

• Maker: Plateelfabriek Ivora (also known as P. van der Want Gzn).
• Location: Gouda, Netherlands.
• Background: The factory evolved from a centuries-old clay pipe manufacturing business (P. van der Want Co.) owned by the Van der Want family. In 1914, Ivon van der Want transitioned operations to decorative Art Nouveau and Art Deco pottery, founding Plateelfabriek Ivora.

Age & Era

• Estimated Date: Circa 1915–1925.
• Style Period: Early 20th-century Dutch Gouda earthenware displaying strong Art Nouveau / Dutch Jugendstil influence. The bright floral motifs hand-painted over an ivory glazed body are typical of Ivora’s early production run following the factory’s establishment in 1914.