Souvenir – Newport Beach RI

A charming souvenir from Newport Beach, Newport, Rhode Island, this inkwell is made of white porcelain with gilded accents along the edges.  It has an asymmetrical, organic shape typical of souvenir pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The inkwell is covered with a domed brass lid with a finial. The front serves as a pen tray.

The front of the inkwell is decorated with a transfer-printed image depicting a bustling scene at “Newport Beach, Newport, R.I.” The print shows a crowded beach with numerous figures, bathers and onlookers, along with architectural elements like a pier or buildings in the background, and the ocean extending to the horizon. Below the image, the location “Newport Beach, Newport R.I.” is printed.

Adding a decorative touch above the image is a molded porcelain element shaped like a stylized shamrock or a four-leaf clover. The underside of the inkwell is marked “Germany”.

Newport Beach is a well-known and historic beach area located in the city of Newport, Rhode Island. Newport itself is situated on Aquidneck Island and has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the likely period this inkwell was made, Newport had already established itself as a prominent summer resort and a playground for the wealthy.

Key aspects of Newport Beach during that era:

• Popular Resort Destination: Newport attracted affluent families who built grand summer “cottages” (mansions) along Bellevue Avenue and enjoyed the cool ocean breezes and scenic beauty.
• Social Scene: The summer season in Newport was a significant social event, with elaborate parties, balls, and gatherings.
• Beaches and Recreation: Newport offered beautiful beaches that were popular for bathing, strolling, and other recreational activities. Newport Beach (often referred to simply as Easton’s Beach or First Beach) was and remains one of the most well-known.