this is a decorative ladies inkwell which is vieux paris by samson ! the silver rim has a head impressed which I believe is a French hall mark for silver . this stands 2" high and has very nice decoration ! looking at the inside this has seen no ink ! this has not been polished for a long time and has no chips or cracks ! the light light wear is where the top flips back and touches the porcelain back and it has bruised a little ! a nice example which appears handpainted and is in nice used condition.