Porcelain Inkstand with a Parrot

This inkstand features a gilt gold parrot perched elegantly, overseeing the entire piece. Included are an inkwell and a sander. Their lids are adorned with finials shaped like insects. The inkstand bears the Eagle Mark for TPM (Tielsch Porzellan Manufactur), which is one of the earliest marks used by the Altwasser Factory in Germany.

Carl Tielsch founded the Tielsch Porzellan Manufactur (TPM) in 1845 in Altwasser, Silesia (now part of Poland). The factory quickly grew to become one of the largest porcelain manufacturers in the region. Initially, TPM used the initials “TPM” for marking their products. This was later replaced by the eagle mark from 1847 onwards. The Altwasser Factory’s products were highly regarded and compared to those from Berlin and Meissen, known for their quality and craftsmanship.