inkstand

An inkstand with a rectangular platform on flat bearers running diagonally from the front corners to meet the centre back. It has a candle-socket at each corner linked by a twisted 'rope' balustrade. Attached to the stand is an inkwell and a shallow bowl in which sits a loose flattened ball-shape pounce pot, the top is perforated. It is painted in blue and manganese-purple and has a green wash on a pale bluish glaze. There is blue and manganese detailing on the balustrade. It has a swagged border with pendants around the neck of the pot. Inside the bowl there is a painted bird above 'RC // 1685 // desem ye 3'. On the pounce pot it has green-wash bands and lines and '1685 // R C'.