Porcelain Greyhound Inkstand

This inkstand is made of white porcelain, embellished with intricate gold accents and raised floral designs. The base features delicate molded details and hand-painted gilt highlights along the rim and within the raised floral motifs. The most prominent feature is the lid, which is topped with a reclining greyhound. The dog is finely molded, capturing its lean musculature and elegant posture.

The lid lifts off to reveal two compartments within the inkstand: one for the inkwell and the other for a sander. A sander was used to sprinkle fine sand or pounce (a powder) over wet ink to absorb excess moisture and speed drying before blotting paper became common.

The gold accents on the cornucopia (a horn of plenty, a symbol of abundance) and the raised floral designs are characteristic of the decorative arts of the 19th century. Based on the style, the use of a sander (which indicates a period before blotting paper was widespread), and the prevalence of similar figural porcelain pieces, this inkstand likely dates to the mid-19th century, specifically the Victorian era (c. 1840s-1880s).

These types of porcelain inkstands featuring reclining dogs were popular in England, particularly from Staffordshire potteries. Staffordshire was a major center for pottery and porcelain production, known for its decorative wares that often included animals. While there are no visible maker’s marks, the style is strongly indicative of English Staffordshire porcelain. It’s common for older Staffordshire pieces to be unmarked or only have impressed numbers that are difficult to trace to specific manufacturers without extensive knowledge of factory codes. The quality of the molding and hand-painting points to a well-established pottery.