Antique Continental Primitive Fiance Floral Decorated Inkwell

Description:  A nice, probably French, round Fiancé inkwell.  The inkwell has a flat base with curved rising sides terminating at flat rim with a central hole where a metal inkwell is located and is surrounded by 4 smaller holes where quills would rest. The metal well has a central hole and raised rim to prevent the ink from rolling out, but rather forcing it to roll back into the well. The exterior of the piece is decorated with a blue, white, black and red floral design. Please view photos as they are part and parcel of our description.

Date: Late 1800s.

Origin: Continental probably France.

Size: 2 5/8" diameter at the base, 3" diameter at the top opening, and is ~1 3/4" high. The metal well is 1" diameter at the base, 1 1/2" diameter at the top and is 1 3/8" high.

Maker: Unknown.

Marks: None.

Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a small nicely done inkwell with a nice shiny colored glaze, which is rather nice. 

Condition:  Inkwell is in excellent condition with no cracks, hairlines, crazing or repairs. It does have some minor chips or superficial loss of glaze at the edge of the top, at the edge of the hole where the metal well sits, and around the edge of the small holes where the quills would fit. Finally as is the case with all these primitive old pottery pieces, the ink well has a few of the usual defects you would expect such as pops, unglazed areas and uneven spots. Most pronounced is the base of the piece where the white background glaze does not cover the entire area.