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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1187071
FOR SALE
£1,200
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Antique German Porcelain Inkstand with Pyramidal Schneeballen Cover, C.1800
Ritas Bazaar
for sale €1,404     $1,524
£1,200

Ritas Bazaar

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2025
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Id #SA1187071
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Antique German Porcelain Inkstand with Pyramidal Schneeballen Cover, C.1800

18th century
For Sale by Ritas Bazaar
Description

An antique German porcelain inkstand dating to around 1800 and attributed to Saxony. The square base stands on four gilt ball feet and is decorated with restrained floral and rocaille painting. At the centre is a cylindrical ink well.

The pyramidal cover is densely covered with Schneeballen decoration formed from hundreds of tiny applied porcelain rosettes, each individually modelled and attached by hand. The extensive labour involved gives the piece a strong sculptural presence. The cover is surmounted by a stylised orchid-type flower. An unusual and visually striking example of German porcelain desk ware from the turn of the 19th century.

Measurements

Height (assembled): 19 cm

Width: 10.8 cm

Depth: 10.8 cm

Weight: 832 g

Condition

Losses and chipping to applied rosettes at the base corners, with one corner lacking its rosette. Fine hairline crack within the ink well. Cover in very good condition with most Schneeballen rosettes intact.

Physical Dimensions
Height
19cm (7.48")
Width
10.8cm (4.25")
Depth
10.8cm (4.25")
Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated this German Porcelain Schneeballen Inkstand to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1187071
Dealers Internal Reference
B1577
Description
An antique German porcelain inkstand dating to around 1800 and attributed to Saxony.
“
The square base stands on four gilt ball feet and is decorated with restrained floral and rocaille painting.
Ritas Bazaar

At the centre is a cylindrical ink well.

fig 1. A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms.
fig 1. Antique German Porcelain Inkstand with Pyramidal Schneeballen Cover, C.1800

The pyramidal cover is densely covered with Schneeballen decoration formed from hundreds of tiny applied porcelain rosettes, each individually modelled and attached by hand. The extensive labour involved gives the piece a strong sculptural presence. The cover is surmounted by a stylised orchid-type flower. An unusual and visually striking example of German porcelain desk ware from the turn of the 19th century.

fig 2. A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms.
fig 2. Antique German Porcelain Inkstand with Pyramidal Schneeballen Cover, C.1800

Measurements

Height (assembled): 19 cm

Width: 10.8 cm

Depth: 10.8 cm

Weight: 832 g

Condition

Losses and chipping to applied rosettes at the base corners, with one corner lacking its rosette. Fine hairline crack within the ink well. Cover in very good condition with most Schneeballen rosettes intact.

Height
19cm (7.48")
Width
10.8cm (4.25")
Depth
10.8cm (4.25")
Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated this German Porcelain Schneeballen Inkstand to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1187071
Dealers Internal Ref
B1577
Ritas Bazaar
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Ritas Bazaar Profile Page

Relevant Links
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SAVE
A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms.
1 / 10
Archive I A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms.

Antique German porcelain inkstand with pyramidal Schneeballen cover, c.1800

Archive II A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View II
Archive III A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View III
Archive IV A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View IV
Archive V A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View V
Archive VI A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View VI
Archive VII A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View VII
Archive VIII A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View VIII
Archive IX A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View IX
Archive X A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms. View X
Enlarged Archival View

Ritas Bazaar
Telephone 07434 626011
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
Items For Sale 223
Items Sold 37
Ritas Bazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified
Nov 2025
For Sale
223
Sold
37
A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms.
Antique German porcelain inkstand with pyramidal Schneeballen cover, c.1800
Ref: SA1187071
A square German porcelain inkstand base with gilded bun feet and floral motifs, topped with a tall pyramidal cover encrusted in green-tinted white blossoms.
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FAQs

Schneeballen, or snowball, porcelain originated in the 18th century at the Meissen porcelain manufactory under master modeller Johann Joachim Kandler. The style is characterised by thousands of individually hand-moulded Mayflower blossoms applied across the ceramic surface to create a dense, sculpted texture.

These pieces were crafted from hard-paste porcelain composed of kaolin and petuntse. The detailed floral elements were hand-modelled, kiln-fired at high temperatures, and subsequently detailed with overglaze polychrome enamels and gold leaf gilding.

Authentic period examples feature individually hand-applied porcelain florets with minor natural variations in density, along with historical manufacturing details such as blue underglaze marks or maker stamps on the underside. Weight, fine hand-gilding, and wear consistent with age further confirm origin.

An encrusted porcelain inkstand functions effectively as a focal decorative object on a writing table, executive desk, or integrated into a curated bookshelf display. Its detailed sculptural profile provides texture against dark timber, leather, or glass surfaces.

Due to the fragile nature of applied porcelain blossoms, cleaning should be performed dry using a soft camel-hair brush or low-pressure air duster. Water and liquid detergents should be avoided to prevent moisture accumulation in small crevices.
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