NEW YORK, FIRST QUARTER OF THE 20TH CENTURY A circular inkwell featuring an oval jade medallion depicting a bird surrounded by flowers, which forms the hinged lid; when opened, it reveals a gilded silver interior. The inkwell is set within a red-flamed porcelain base bearing a fake Kangxi mark, resting on an openwork gilded silver base (showing wear) with Oriental-inspired motifs. Signed on the lid: Edward I. FARMER, New York, and the inscription STERLING Gross weight: 508 g Edward I. FARMER (1872–1942), a collector in his youth, brought back numerous ancient jade pieces from the East. After becoming an art dealer in New York, he commissioned the creation of desk accessories, including inkwells such as the one shown here. . I would like to thank Laurence Souksi and Franz Fray for their invaluable collaboration.