Inkwells

Inkwell Calamelli workshop (attr.). Faenza, second half of the 16th century Height 4.33 in; length 8.07 in; depth 2.95 in (11 cm; 20.5 cm; 7.5 cm) Weight: 0.800 lb (363 g) State of conservation: some chipping to the top of the mask around the mouth. Handle glued, without any restorations; minor chips in some raised areas. This object has the shape of a foot wearing Greek-style footwear, as can be seen in some raised areas. The foot is anatomically modeled with bare toes, while the ankle is partially covered by the footwear. On the heel, there is a small circular handle to support the object. The mouth of the container is shaped like a mask. The interior, completely enameled, suggests that the piece was intended to be used as an inkwell or to contain some other liquid. The base, however, is not enamelled. The painted decoration, scant and brief, consists of rapid cobalt blue shading between the toes of the foot, with more precise emphasis on the nails. It is accompanied by yellow citrine accents to enhance the forms. The mask is painted with the tip of the brush, to accentuate the tense nature of the eyes and to accentuate their outline. Thin strokes of yellow-orange line the interior of the mouth. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. Since the Renaissance, this decoration has been referred to as "compendiaria" and it characterizes the period of production extending from the mid-16th century to approximately the middle of the following century. It significantly influenced tastes at the time. It evolved from the polychrome style "istoriato" and transformed into a new style that "summarized" (compendia), or condensed, the ornamentation of the works into a few colors, placing greater prominence on the shapes. It was often inspired by metal specimens. This artwork finds parallels in similar objects all characterized by this refined style and produced in the city of Faenza and other Italian centers starting from the mid-16th century. The closest comparable example in majolica is a foot acquired by the British Museum in 2011 (inv. 2011, 8008.1). This was previously published by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti in 1996 and later by Dora Thornton in 2016 during the conference on Renaissance ceramics...

Inkwell. Glazed ceramic. Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 17th century. Inkwell or spice rack with a square shaped hole that is made of glazed ceram...

Bronze inkwell. Spain, 17th century. Inkwell made of octagonal bronze with eight small holes and one larger one in the center of the upper part that has a flat base and decoration o...

A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...

In this ad you get the chance to buy a unique historical object. It is an old Ottoman inkwell made from brass with typical ornaments and little turquoi...

Rare Danish blue and white faience ink stand by Johan Ernst Pfau for Store Kongensgade Faience Manufactory, Copenhagen Denmark circa 1740. This inkwell retain with its original ink a...

Lost wax cast bronze inkwell, 16th century Central oval-shaped vase for ink masterfully decorated by four masks with different physiognomies and expressions. Supporting the sa...

An important Islamic Khurasan bronze and silver-inlaid inkwell & cover, Eastern Persia, Circa 1200. The inkwell of cylindrical form and having a shallow dome top cover with a tall knopped finial and inlaid with a twin band of scrolled silver. The base of the dome and the rim of the cover having bands on interlaced silver inlay, the inkwell having three loop handles. The body of the inkwell having two bands of silver inlaid Naskh script, between the bands are twin panels...

Talavera Inkwell, 18th century. Glazed pottery Talavera ceramic inkwell, decorated with cobalt blue enamel on a white tin slip with restorations" Size: 16 x 16 x 7 cms.    

Hallmarked in London in 1798 by Henry Greenway, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, is plain in style, and feature...

Antique 17th century Spanish traditional Talavera glazed ceramic ink holder.

Al Thani collection, a Mughal Indian square white jade inkwell cover, circa 1800 Purchased from the Al Thani collection, Christies New York, Sal...

Bronze inkwell, circa 1790. Rectangular form with gilt bronze footed base with patinated dark bronze handles and mounts. Item has singular pot in the center of the tray. The floral d...

This elegant inkwell set by Wedgwood & Bentley is crafted of black basalt, one of Wedgwood’s finest inventions. The set is comprised of two canisters, both held within an intriguing double stand. One is designed to hold ink and features a top with slots for quills or pens, and the other is a powder Shaker with a shell-ornamented lid. Black basalt refers to the fine-grained stoneware that Josiah Wedgwood, inspired by the hard, natural stone known as Egyptian basalt...

A very fine 19th century French Chinoiserie and gilt bronze inkwell with a decorated scene. Fine gilt bronze detail with a patinated Oriental figure in the center and inkpots with mo...

An early silvered brass four-piece Standish with a scalloped edge base and handle.

Italian Empire Silver Inkstand. Roman sterling silver inkstand of sober neoclassical form comprising double pots for sander and inkwell with acorn fini...

Strasbourg chinoiserie inkwell. Antique double-pot faience handled encrier with quill pot and removeable ink pot and cover and sand pot, both with pagoda-top finials, all painted wit...

With hallmarks and property marks (AL). A tray of curved profiles is supported on four legs in the shape of plant elements. Fixed to it are four elements. These, and the bell, prese...

Dating from the early 18th century, this grouping of brass pen cases have their origins in Persia, Egypt and Japan respectively. Each case is intricately engraved with a patterned sc...

Bronze inkwell dated circa 1880, angels subject supported by feline paws. Ink bowl in glass with bronze profile and "alla ruota" engraved base.

The form of this rare encrier is based on the model of the known faience master Johann Georg Buchwald, who produced it first in the manufacture of Marieberg, later also in Eckernförd...

Patinated bronze urn-shaped inkwell rests on three winged-horses evoking movement and action. The body of the inkwell is decorated with faces among garlands and the lid is topped by a seated putti holding fruitVenetian patinated bronze figural inkwell...

A large, unusual and beautifully carved 19th century or possibly earlier Chinese inkstone. Pieces in this condition are rarely seen today and are striking and decorative emblems of h...