Whimsical, stylish, colorful, and beautifully made, this extravagant French inkstand from 1876 borrows patterns and images from Japanese woodblock prints, lacquerware, ceramics, sword guards, and textile stencils. Its seven elaborate parts include a central penholder in the shape of a flaring bronze vase and inkpots in the form of stacked porcelain bowls. See the intricate internal details as the object is disassembled, and learn about the conservation of enameled metals more broadly, with close-up comparison to enamel objects from other periods and cultures.

With Emilie Tréhu, assistant conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Free with general admission. No advance registration or tickets required. Due to space constraints, tours are limited to 12 participants (first come, first served). Tours meet at Sharf Visitor Center. Assistive listening devices available upon request.