Limoges Porcelain Inkstand

1. Visual Description of the Inkstand

This is a high-quality example of French hard-paste porcelain deskware from the Belle Époque era.

• Form: The inkstand features a large, rectangular tray with a Rococo-style mold. It has raised, scalloped edges adorned with embossed scrollwork and acanthus leaf details at the corners.
• Decoration: The piece is hand-painted with a romantic floral motif featuring pink and red roses and white field flowers. The background is a soft, airbrushed pastel gradient that transitions from sky blue on the left to a soft peach/pink on the right.
• Gold Trim: The embossed scrolls and the rims are heavily accented with gilding (gold leaf).
• Components: It is a Double Inkstand with two removable porcelain inserts that sit into the raised back section.
  • The Lids: The set retains its original matching lids. These are particularly lovely, featuring a swirled or “puffed” shape topped with a gold fan or shell-shaped finial. The lids are painted to match the gradient of the base—one is tinged with green/blue and the other with pink.

2. Additional Information

• Maker: “Coiffe Et Cie Limoges”
  • Evidence: The green star mark visible on the underside is the registered trademark of Coiffe et Cie.
  • Details: The mark consists of a star with the words “LIMOGES” and “FRANCE”. This specific mark (known to collectors as Mark 3) designates the manufacturer of the white porcelain blank.
• Date: “1891-1914”
  • Evidence: This specific green star mark was used by Coiffe specifically for export to the United States starting in 1891 (to comply with the McKinley Tariff Act requiring country of origin) and was used until approximately 1914 (the start of WWI).
• Origin: “Limoges, France”
  • Evidence: The mark explicitly states “FRANCE” and constitutes authentic Limoges hard-paste porcelain.
  • Condition: The fragile gold finials on the lids are intact, which is the most common place for damage. The rims of the inserts are smooth and free of the “flea bite” chips often found on these utilitarian parts. The glaze is glossy with no visible crazing.