the lid modelled as a stack of books, after a 1933 design by Natalia Danko, stamped black mark for experimental consumer goods made from recycled materials, numbered 1 in black overglaze

Pushkin Museum, no. 32

Oda k Radosti/Ode to Joy, p. 119, cat. no. 76; for comparison, see Nosovich and Popova, pp. 581 and 583.

overall good condition; complete with original inkpot, some inherent glaze and firing flaws, especially to surface of pen tray and the young woman's foot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Soviet porcelain of the 1920s and 1930s was made in extremely small quantities, a fact lamented by both consumers and government officials who wanted these exciting and edifying designs to be available to a larger audience.  Attempts were made to increase production by simplifying the painting, outsourcing production of Lomonosov artist's designs to other manufactories, and recycling components of the porcelain mix.  The rarely seen mark on this inkstand was introduced in the late 1930s for wares made from recycled materials; see I. Nasonova and S. Nasonov, Sovetskii farfor, Moscow, 2007, t. 1, p. 166.