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Antoine7768 · May 13, 2009, 09:09 AM

I have what I think is an antique ceramic inkwell or hair receiver. It is marked HALGA on the bottom and FRANCE. It appears to be Limoges. Confirmation of what it is and guess at value would be much appreciated. See Pics and thanks for your interest.

ruthmarx · May 13, 2009, 11:45 AM

Because of the small holes on the side, I would venture 'ink well'.

Antoine7768 · May 13, 2009, 12:09 PM

Thanks very much for the quick reply Ruth. I thought that it might be an inkwell for the same reasons that you did, although someone suggested that the small holes may have been for hair pins in a hair receiver.
Assumiong it is an inkwell, do you think it probably is missing its top? When you look at the wear marks around the mail hole it suggests that something like a ceramic top with a rough base may have been present. What do you think? Ruth , do you have any idea of what the value might be? Looking at other Limoges pieces marked "Halga" it is probably Victorian , circa 1900? Not sure what to ask for it. Thanks for your help, Antoine,

ruthmarx · May 13, 2009, 12:33 PM

I have a limoge set that includes a hair receiver and there aren't any holes for pin, etc. There are other boxes for those items. I wondered about the top, too. Most of the ink well that I've seen have a top. But they are usually hinged and from your photos, there's no damage or hinge evidence. I'm thinking - and this is pure amateur - that this is a less expensive ink well for a more modest buyer and there is no top. Bic vs Monte Blanc of the 1900's.
As far as value, haven't a clue. Sorry.

ruthmarx · May 13, 2009, 12:36 PM

Oh, I think the wear marks are from where the fingers rubbed against the top when tightening the ink lid. I'm pretty sure the ink well actually sat inside the large hole.
Good luck!

Antoine7768 · May 13, 2009, 02:46 PM

Hi Ruth
Thanks again for the prompt follow-up. Thanks to you I am now firmly in the inkwell camp on this item. It would be good to look at other limoges ceramic inkwells and see if I can get further insight into top or no top. I think a small glass ink bottle with a shoulder so that it sits on the rim of the large hole is very plausible. No top is a bit of a stretch since it would not take long for the ink to evaporate. I am going to Google a few reference sites on limoges ink wells and see if I can more info. Thanks so much . You have beern very helpful. Regards, Antoine

palude · Sep 27, 2009, 12:55 PM

It is certainly an inkwell. I own several specimens of this type. See also on google/images under "inkwell"