The Scholar – Cast Iron Inkstand

Description

• Structure & Form: The inkstand is cast with a stepped pyramid profile, featuring a sloping rectangular body that tapers upward to a hinged square lid. A wide, concave trough runs horizontally along the front base to rest pens.
• Surface Finish & Texture: The iron is finished in a dark japanned finish with subtle cold-painted red/maroon polychrome highlights along the borders, interior, and lid figure. The outer panels feature a heavy pebbled / Morocco grain texture, designed to mimic leather.
• Lid Detail: The hinged lid opens to reveal a removable clear glass insert. The underside of the base is hollow with a red enamel/painted finish.

Depiction on the Lid

• Figure: The lid displays a low-relief, cold-painted figure of a scholar or sitting in a high-backed chair while holding open a large book/tome.
• Attire: He is dressed in historical attire—wearing a prominent triangular or tricorn-style scholar’s cap, a cloaked coat over a high collar with tied cravat/bands, breeches, and stockings with buckle shoes.

Origin & Date of Manufacture

• Where it was made: United States
• When it was made: Late 19th Century (circa 1880s–1890s).