A very fine gilt bronze or brass figural Art Deco inkwell made and marked by the well regarded firm of Erhard & Söhne - Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Handsomely decorated with a pair of gryphons flanking the well, it measures 8 inches in length, 5 3/8 inches in depth and stands 5 inches in height.  Two of the bolts on the bottom have been replaced with modern ones, and there is some spotting an scratching to the gilding (mostly in the pen tray), otherwise it is in terrific condition, it even has its glass inkwell insert. The underside is stamped Germany and with the makers mark of Erhard and Sons, made circa 1925.

Erhard & Söhne of Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany was founded in 1844 by Carl Gottlob Erhard. His sons, Carl and Julius, expanded the firm into a company of national importance with the manufacture of fire-gilded bronze goods. In addition to specializing in the processing of bronze, brass, copper and tin, articles made of precious metal were also manufactured. With the world patent for the manufacture of brass inlays in 1904, the Erhard & Söhne company gained world status for its beautiful Jugendstil designs featuring brass inlaid rosewood. The firm maintained this status well into the Art Deco and Bauhaus period.