13. A DOULTON CHINÉ-WARE DE LA RUE ISOBATH INKSTAND, English, 1888-1890 with integral stand, and lift-off cover, with impressed lace pattern decorated in white and turquoise, the interior with vulcanite hemisphere swiveling on a circular axis ring suspended on two recesses in the side of the large ink reservoir, impressed on the base doulton lambeth with Manufactured For and the “isobath” thos de la rue & co / patent reservoir inkstand / london , with numerous incised and impressed potters and decorators marks, 6¼ in (16 cm) high including cover, very rare, three chips around the frills.
est. £200 – £300
De La Rue advertised the “Isobath” constant-level inkstand as “automatic in action and offering unique advantages. Has a large reservoir of ink, secure from dust and evaporation and a small Dipping Well in which the Ink is always maintained at the same level. Made in about thirty varieties.” These included spherical and urn-shaped Doulton Ware, some of which have the ornate saucer base seen on this model.
The most elaboate Isobath Inkstands were expensive, prices ranging up to 21/- in 1891 (twice the price of the then state-of-the-art Pelikan pen which was advertised at 10/6), and were made in a variety of materials. A complete example is found rarely today as the internal hemisphere and the frame from which it swings is frequently broken or lost. However this example is complete, with the added attraction of being the more elaborate version on a base.
The decorators and studio assistant marks on this piece are as follows, on the cover:
incised s OO ~ Fanny Sayers
painted lw ~ unknown
and on the base:
incised three strokes ~ unknown
impressed block h block ~ Rosetta Hazeldine
impressed hh ~ possibly Edith Herapath or E Hibberd
painted ms over 286B ~ unknown
Literature:
De La Rue Advertisement in "Supplement to The Stationery Trades Journal" September 30th, 1891, page 511
Desmond Eyles (revised by Louise Irvine) "The Doulton Lambeth Wares" Richard Dennis, 2002, page 258 (illustrates an identical example), and pp 306-315