Inkwell (France), ca. 1900

(a) Circular stoneware body with spreading base and conically tapered uppersection. Glazed grey-green with irregular striations of blue, semi-matte surface, numerous small pits. Underside with foot rim abraded to reveal body. Hinged cover of gilt bronze with circular lip rim, domed cover with symmetrical relief “whiplash” curves. Thumbpiece in extended curve rising over domed center with applied red cabochon glass jewel. (b) clear glass well liner, cylindrical and plain. The body (a) of the inkwell has a circular spreading base, with a conicallytapered upper section creating a flattened dome shape. The body is appar-ently thrown on the wheel. The exterior is glazed in a semi-matte grey- green, with irregular striations of grey-blue. The surface of the glaze shows numerous pits. The underside of the base is unglazed. The body is fitted with a hinged neck ring, and attached swinging cover of gilded bronze. The domed cover to the well is decorated with raised elongated “whiplash” curve motifs arranged symmetrically. A metal thumbpiece con- tinues the mount, rising in a curve over the dome, and applied with a red cabochon of stone or paste. Interior of inkwell, is fitted with a glass liner (b) of cylindrical, flat-bottomed shape.