This is an original antique inkwell from the 1800's. It is very unusual and is decorated with snakes on the top lid and side handles of the base. I think it is brass but it may be gilded bronze or ormolu. It is very ornate. It has a glass bowl that holds a glass inkwell pot. It is missing the other pot but these are fairly easy to replace. Other than that, it is in very good condition for it's age. I am not sure where it was made, possibly France. It is signed on the bottom but I am not able to make out the makers name which is stamped into the metal. I have included a photograph of the makers mark on the bottom. It is also numbered on the bottom, 3574 and 1469. It measures 12 inches or 30.5 cm in length, 6 1/4 inches or 16 cm in width and 5 inches or 13 cm in height.