Manufactured by Doulton Lambeth, The Isobath Patent Reservoir Inkstand was produced primarily in the late 1880s into the early 1890s.
The inkwell was manufactured for DeLaRue & Co., however the Doulton factory produced these inkstands in very small quantities.
The dipping well is relatively small in comparison the size of this inkwell. Despite the size, it can accommodate even the largest nibs.
Upon removing the lid, one finds the ingenious hemispherical shaped rubber mechanism used to maintain a constant ink level. Designed by William Thomas Shaw for which he was awarded a Patent on the 15th December 1888.
Doulton items usually have factory marks, but they are often signed by the talented artists who hand-decorated them. The inkwell is marked “Manufactured for” and “Patented Reservoir Inkstand, London. THE ISOBATH, THOS. DELARUE” and marked “DOULTON LAMBETH”.
The incised monogram 'EP' on the base, indicates that this inkstand was decorated by artist Emily Partington. Sisters Hannah and Florence Barlow and Eliza Simmance were other artists whose signatures are found on these rarities. The original design was created by John Huskinson, a designer at the Lambeth factory.