As with the Romano-Byzantine bronze weight listed today, I purchased this inkwell from a favorite antiques shop in Vermont filled with gorgeous old wooden built-in cases and cabinets, which themselves are always filled with wonderful things. The owners recently purchased a large collection of inkwells, most of them 19th century and earlier, but among them this charming and clever studio pottery example from the 20th century, which is the one I immediately landed on. I fell in love with the face in and of itself--which I take for that of a woman, looking a bit like Medusa, and with hair one might indeed liken to snakes! It also clearly references earlier inkwells; there are numerous British and American examples featuring the faces of men with holes in their heads to hold pens and open mouths for dispensing the ink (I've included an early 19th c. British example at the end of photos.) It also makes me think of 19th c. Sunderland mugs (and chamber pots, too) with open-mouthed frogs inside.
2 1/2” t x 3 3/4” diameter and much better than photos convey. Very good condition, no chips, cracks or other issues. Terrific patina to the earthenware face, making it look as though it spilled some ink!
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