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This exquisite porcelain inkstand is a documented historical artifact. This exact model is featured by the Fall River Historical Society (Massachusetts) in their "Curator’s Corner" series to illustrate 19th-century writing culture. It is an authentic "English manufacture" piece dating to approximately the 1840s, representing the high-status "desk jewelry" of the early Victorian era.
Functional Design:
This is a two-part functional "encrier" (inkstand):
• The Figural Lid: A beautifully detailed "Bucolic" scene featuring a young courting couple and a goat.
• The Sander (Shaker): The right-hand well features a perforated top used to hold "writing sand" or pounce to dry ink. The top is intentionally concave, a clever 19th-century design that allowed the user to pour excess sand back into the reservoir.
• The Inkwell: The left-hand well would have originally held a small glass or porcelain ink pot liner.
Condition Report:
As an authentic artifact nearly 180 years old, this piece shows character-appropriate wear that confirms its age and history:
• Gilding: There is beautiful, age-related rubbing to the gold gilt "C" scrolls on the base.
• Notable Wear: To be precise, the goat’s horns are chipped, and a portion of the porcelain fence on the left side has been chipped off over time.
• Overall Appeal: Despite these losses, the piece remains in remarkable shape for its age. The hand-painted details (including the man's striped trousers and the woman's floral apron) are still vibrant and clear. It remains a stunning, structurally sound display piece with high historical interest.
Sold as is, please view photos and feel free to reach out with questions.
