DEALER'S DESCRIPTION:
c1910 art nouveau inkwell dating to c1910. With gilt metal mount, including charming shell motif lid. Glass iridescent white of triangular form with raised green rims. Un-marked, but clearly a period Czech piece, probably Kralik.Length 11 cm. Condition excellent. Few natural air bubbles as part of manufacture.
MY INKWELL COLLECTION IS SO LARGE I HAVE LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY I HAVE, BUT I HAD NEVER SEEN ONE WITH TADPOLES AS A DECOR.
IT COMES FROM THE UK AND HAS NO WELL. LUCKILY FOR ME, I ALWAYS BUY EXTRAS (ALSO FROM THE UK, AND QUITE EXPENSIVE!) AND I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SIZE I NEEDED (14), WHICH I ALREADY HAVE.
ANOTHER FEATURE THAT ATTRACTED ME WAS THE UNPATTERNED, SILKY SURFACE. I HAVE SEVERAL WITH THE SAME KIND OF METAL TOP AND THE CORRESPONDING PATENT MARK (LAST PIC.) I DO NOT CONSIDER INKWELLS WITHOUT A WELL AS TOTALLY "COMPLETE".
SO FAR MY INKWELLS ARE EITHER KRALIK OR PK, AND I ALSO HAVE A FEW AMERICAN INKWELLS.