10.2 Inkstand of Hosios Nikodemos the Hagiorite
Late 18th c.
Vatopedi Monastery
Painted slipware (faience)
Height 4 cm, upper surface diameter 10 cm, base diameter 7.5 cm
Made of red clay, this small box has eight slightly concave sides, to provide a better grip, and a wide circular opening in the top which probably closed with a lid. Two receptacles projecting beyond the top surface on one side accommodated penholders. Entirely covered with white slip under a colourless transparent glazing, the inkstand has a painted polychrome decoration of floral motifs finely outlined in black: the upper surface has 8 trefoils in blue and yellow alternately, while the sides have many-petalled flowers and green leaves.
The inkstand is believed to have belonged to Nikodemos the Hagiorite (1749-1809), a distinguished monk and the author of many theological treatises who lived on Mount Athos from 1775 until his death.