This glazed ceramic inkwell, by French Art Nouveau artist, François-Rupert Carabin, is titled "Femme à la Coloquinte," or "Woman with Gourd." The charming, monochromatic ceramic in earthen-toned glaze features a nude female figure lovingly clutching a gourd, which has been positioned and creased so as to hold the position of a child. The female form looks lovingly onto the vegetable in her arms, her expression one of unbridled joy and affection as her arms tenderly embrace it.
