L’Arte della Ceramica di Firenze (fondata nel 1896) - Galileo Chini - Inkwell - Ceramic

• Author/Designer: Galileo Chini (Florence, 1873 – 1956)
• Manufacture: L'Arte della Ceramica, Florence
• Period: Circa 1898 – 1902 (Very early Florentine period)
• Object: Table inkstand with a flared ceramic body decorated in relief and an iridescent metallic luster finish (olive green, ochre and bronze reflections).
• Mounting: Hinged lid in contemporaneous cast metal, finely modeled in high relief in the shape of a split pomegranate with the seeds highlighted.
• Internal components: The glass beaker, the original inner liner in aqua-green blown glass, is present and intact.
• Marks on the base: A hand-painted cobalt-blue underglaze brushmark depicting the workshop’s stylized pomegranate with monogram "ADC" (L'Arte della Ceramica) and the inscription "FIRENZE". Inventory codes handwritten: 789 (Shape Number) and 502 (Decoration Number).
• Condition: Excellent. The ceramic shows no crazing, restorations, or chips. The metal hinge functions perfectly.