This inkstand has always merited great attention from ceramics’ researchers. On the top of the piece we can see Minerva, the Roman goddess of arts, commerce, wisdom and military strategy.
According to Joaquim de Vasconcelos and Artur Sandão, the figure of the goddess is related to the defeat of the French in the Peninsular War and symbolises peace. Originally belonging to Cristiano Augusto da Silva, the inkstand was previously in the collection of Augusto Luso.