Kralik “Pampas” Art Glass Inkwell

This striking Bohemian art glass inkwell is a classic example of work by Wilhelm Kralik Söhne, specifically from their popular “Pampas” line.

The Glass: Kralik “Pampas”

The glass features a deep, dark base (cobalt or dark green) covered in a heavy, iridescent finish. The “Pampas” decor is characterized by chaotic, pulled threads of glass “lashed” or wrapped randomly around the body.

• Iridescence: The oily, multi-colored sheen (peacock blues, purples, and greens) is typical of the high-quality Bohemian glass produced around the turn of the century to compete with Loetz and Tiffany.
• Shape: It has a “triple buttressed” or flared-pyramid base, which gives it a grounded, Art Nouveau silhouette.

The Lid Markings

The impressed letters and numbers inside the lid provide a clear trail to its origin. Based on the images and historical records for this specific model, the markings are:

G.E.P. 10585 / D.R.G.M. 168180

• D.R.G.M. (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster): This is a German design protection or “utility patent” mark. The number 168180 was registered around 1901-1902.
• G.E.P. (or sometimes read as O.E.P.): This stands for Österreichisches Patent (Austrian Patent). Since Bohemia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time, many Kralik pieces carry both Austrian and German registration marks to protect their designs across both markets.
• 10585: This is the specific Austrian patent/registration number for this lid design.

Age and Origin

• Date: Circa 1900–1905. The D.R.G.M. number specifically dates the lid design to the very early 20th century, peak Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) era.
• Maker: Glass by Wilhelm Kralik Söhne (Bohemia); the metal mounts were often sourced from specialized German or Austrian metalwork firms that held these specific patents.