Antique Germany Meissen Porcelain Inkwell with Saucer Base, c.1860

Antiques : Accessories : Inkwells, Desktop Items

 

This porcelain bulbous inkwell has a saucer base and a loose finial cover. The saucer base measures 7 1/2" in diameter, an inkwell diameter of 4 1/4" and a height fully assembled of 3 5/8". The piece is mostly round with the edge of the saucer evenly scalloped. The bulbous well is formed with uneven lobes. The design has birds, peonies and insects. The cobalt blue is under glaze with the iron red and gold gilding hand painted over the glaze. There are no chips, cracks or scratches. There is some wear to the gold gilding on the edges. There is a professional restoration repair on the side of the well near the top edge with some retouching of the blue enamel. The top surface is not affected at all. The piece is marked on both the inkwell and the saucer with crossed swords with pommels under the glaze. This mark was used by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory State's Porcelain Manufactory (KPM) in Meissen, Saxony, Germany from 1814 to 1860. There are also some numbers and an incised fancy script letter followed by number 3 and 8 on both the saucer and well. An exceptional porcelain inkwell!

Item ID: 60220002