Coalport ‘oil lamp’ inkwell, after the Antique, c.1810

$640.00 AUD

Coalport inkwell in the form of an ancient Roman oil lamp, decorated to the body with a wide band of red Greek key on a gilt ground, the top with a gilt cornelli pattern, an acanthus leaf beneath the spout, containing twin quill holder. Possibly decorated in London, perhaps in the Baxter studio, circa 1810.

This form had a lit to cover the main hole, making its apparent use as an ‘inkwell’ puzzling. The spouts would not make very good quill holders. An alternate explanation would be as a ‘potpourri’ vessel, intended to take scented water which slowly diffused through the spouts.

See another in our stock decorated with flowers, with original lid here >>

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