Ormolu beehive model Encrier (ink well). Beehive central well with a hay stack cover and several bees on the surface, flanked by two baskets with covers laden with fruit, flowers and wheat sheaves. At the base of one of the baskets sits a bird leaning over a large basket with a container of sand in the shape of a large bunch of wheat tied with a rope and a bird perched on top as a cover. The rear of the encrier is composed of a group of garden implements which include a sickle, a spade, a trowel, a scythe, ring pliers and a pitch fork tied with an attractive bow and hung with garlands of flowers, masses of grapes, and wheat forming a support for a quill. The base is designed as naturalistic wood logs topped with rustic wood planks. An amusing mouse sits by the handle of the large front basket nibbling a piece of wheat. Gilt bronze with porcelain liners. 19th c. Empire. French. Maker not given. Image © 1stDibs.com, Inc. 2024. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/desk-accessories/inkwells/gardeners-delight-antique-french-empire-gilt-bronze-beehive-model-encrier/id-f_32219442/ Freemasonry gilt bronze (ormolu) inkwell designed with a beehive shaped system decorated with bees on the top, on a base animated with flowers and vegetation. The basket-shaped receptacle is decorated with wheat sheaves and bees. This inkwell is embellished with two lidded cups, one with a stopper featuring an eagle. ca. 1824-1830. French. Ormolu (gilt bronze) with a porcelain ink cup. Maker not known. Image © Ouaiss Antiquites Paris 2024. Fair use license. via https://www.ouaissantiquites.com/en/objectdetails/859309/french-19th-century-gilt-bronze-inkwell/19678 The beehive with its worker bees is a Freemasonry symbol. Whether these inkwells are connected with Freemasonry, were made for one of their lodges, etc. it is not possible to learn as far as I know. But they probably were.
