Revolving “Snail” Inkwell with Pen Rack on Saucer Base

This revolving snail inkwell was produced by Fischer & Mieg in Březová, Bohemia during the mid-19th century. The confirmed “F&M” mark on the underside authenticates its origin.

Design Features

• Porcelain Snail Reservoir: Shaped like a stylized snail shell, the reservoir is decorated with hand-painted insects, butterflies, and abstract floral motifs in red, black, and gold on a white ground.
• Brass Mounting & Stopple Plate: The snail is affixed to a brass bracket with two vertical supports, or standards, flanking the reservoir. These standards house retaining set screws that form the axis of rotation, allowing the snail to tilt forward or back.
• Stopple Plate (Stopper Disc): A stationary brass disc—part of the brass mounting—serves as a stopple plate. When the trumpet-shaped reservoir is rotated forward (away from the user), the font is closed by the stopple plate, sealing the reservoir to prevent evaporation.
• Pen Rack: Integrated into the brass bracket is a pen holder.
• Saucer Base: The entire assembly rests on a matching porcelain saucer, decorated with the same motif as the snail.

Mechanism: Opening and Closing

• Opening: The user manually pulls the snail’s trumpet-shaped font forward (towards the user), which pivots on the set screws threaded through the standards. This movement lifts the trumpet-shaped opening away from the stopple plate, exposing the ink reservoir.
• Closing: The snail is rotated away from the user, and the opening seats itself around the stationary stopple plate, effectively sealing the ink chamber.

Historical Context and Attribution

• Maker: Fischer & Mieg, founded in 1814, was one of Bohemia’s premier porcelain manufacturers. By the 1860s, they were producing luxury desk accessories for export across Europe.
• Mark: The “F&M” stamp confirms the maker and aligns with documented examples of Fischer & Mieg’s mid-century porcelain.
• Date: Based on design, materials, and mechanical construction, this piece likely dates from circa 1860–1870.

Summary