Inkstand thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Inkstand

1868 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The designer of this inkstand, Luigi Frullini, was a leading Italian carver and restorer. He displayed his work at three International Exhibitions: in London in 1862, and in Paris in 1867 and 1878.

In 1868 Frullini sold this inkstand to the Museum for £40. It was purchased as a fine specimen of carving. The inkstand incorporates two small portrait roundels in relief. They depict two famous literary figures of Frullini's home town of Florence: the poet Dante (1265-1321) and the writer Giovanni Battista Niccolini (1782-1861).


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Ebony and jujube wood, partly gilt
Brief description
Ebony and jujube wood inkstand
Physical description
Inkstand. Carved ebony ornamented with small portrait roundels and a frieze of hardwood in high relief. The central figure depicts a triton resting in a bivalve shell.
Dimensions
  • Height: 26.5cm
  • Width: 61cm
  • Depth: 26cm
Marks and inscriptions
(signed and dated)
Gallery label
  • Europe and America 1800-1900, room 101 Carved Inkstand 1868 Luigi Frullini was a leading Italian carver and restorer working in the Renaissance Revival style. He exhibited at three international exhibitions: London in 1862, and Paris in 1867 and 1878. This inkstand incorporates two portrait roundels. They depict famous literary figures from Frullini's home town, Florence: the poet Dante (1265-1321) and the writer Giovanni Battista Niccolini (1782-1861). Italy, Florence; designed and made by Luigi Frullini Ebony and jujube wood, partly gilded Museum no. 280-1869 (2017)
  • INKSTAND 280-1869 'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900' This inkstand was purchased for £40 from Frullini himself. It incorporates two small portrait reliefs depicting the Florentine poet Dante (1265-1321) and the modern writer Giovanni Battista Niccolini (1782-1861), who had lived in Florence.(1987-2006)
  • Europe and America 1800-1900, room 101 CARVED INKSTAND 1868 Italy, Florence; designed and made by Luigi Frullini Ebony and jujube, partly gilded Museum no. 280-1869 Luigi Frullini was a leading Italian carver and restorer working in the Renaissance Revival style. He exhibited at three international exhibitions: London in 1862, and Paris in 1867 and 1878. This inkstand incorporates two portrait roundels. They depict famous literary figures from Frullini's home town, Florence: the poet Dante (1265-1321) and the writer Giovanni Battista Niccolini (1782-1861).(2006)
Summary
The designer of this inkstand, Luigi Frullini, was a leading Italian carver and restorer. He displayed his work at three International Exhibitions: in London in 1862, and in Paris in 1867 and 1878.

In 1868 Frullini sold this inkstand to the Museum for £40. It was purchased as a fine specimen of carving. The inkstand incorporates two small portrait roundels in relief. They depict two famous literary figures of Frullini's home town of Florence: the poet Dante (1265-1321) and the writer Giovanni Battista Niccolini (1782-1861).
Bibliographic reference
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile dell'Ottocento in Italia. Milan: Electa, 2007, illus. p.304. A biographical note on Luigi Frullini is on p. 442.
Collection
Accession number
280-1869

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Record createdApril 6, 2000
Record URL
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