Inkwell
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An inkwell is a small jar or container, often made of glass, porcelain, silver, brass, or pewter, used for holding ink in a place convenient for the person who is writing. The artist or writer dips the brush, quill, or dip pen into the inkwell as needed or uses the inkwell as the source for filling the reservoir of a fountain pen. An inkwell usually has a lid to prevent contamination, evaporation, accidental spillage, and excessive exposure to air. A type known as the travelling inkwell was fitted with a secure screw lid so a traveller could carry a supply of ink in their luggage without the risk of leakage.
Origins
The inkwell's origins may be traced back to Ancient Egypt where scribes would write on papyrus. Knowledge of hieroglyphs was at the time highly restricted. Only scribes knew the full array of hieroglyphs and would write on behalf of their employers, usually the pharaoh. After Rome invaded Egypt, inkwells became more popular in Italy as a larger percentage of the population were capable of writing.
Inkwells gradually fell out of use in the middle part of 20th century as the reservoir fountain pen (which needs to be filled only occasionally) replaced the dip pen, which needed to be dipped in ink after writing a few lines. Old school desks had round holes for inkwells.
Gallery
- Round glass inkwell with bakelite lid and hole for capping the pen. Collection Museum of Industry Ghent.
- Inkhorn with ivory case (Prague, 9th–13th century). An inkhorn is an inkwell made of horn
- Stands for dip pens and inkwells in the desks of student benches in the historic Chemical Auditorium of the Gdańsk University of Technology, 1904
- 3D model of a Roman Ritt. 13 inkpot
- Renaissance amber inkwell of king Sigismund III Vasa, 1590s
- Examples of 19th century Travelling Inkwells
- Tudric pewter Inkwell
- French school desks, c. 1900. The holes for the student's inkwells can be seen
- Inkwell, currently at the MEK
- Pallme-König & Habel— Inkwell - 2008.67 - Cleveland Museum of Art
- England or America, 19th century— Inkwell Set - 1961.172 - Cleveland Museum of Art
- Inkwell carved from anthracite - Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- 10th century medieval Islamic agate inkwell inscribed with Kufic script. Khalili Collection.
- Inkwell with screw cap, collection Museum of Industry Ghent
See also
Bibliography
- The Collector's World of Inkwells, Jean & Franklin Hunting, Schiffer Publishing Ltd ISBN0-7643-1102-6
- The Write Stuff Inkwells Pens & Desk Accessories, Ray & Bevy Jaegers, Krause Publications ISBN0-930625-86-2
- McGraw's Book of Antique Inkwells Volume 1, Vincent D McGraw, published privately 1972
- Edwardian Shopping 1898–1913 selection facsimile, Army & Navy Stores, David & Charles ISBN0-7153-7068-5
- Pens & Writing Equipment, Jim Marshall, Miller's ISBN1-84000-066-X
- English Silver Hallmarks, Judith Bannister, W Foulsham & Co Ltd ISBN0-572-01181-4
- Handbook of Pottery & Porcelain Marks, J P Cushion, Faber & Faber Ltd ISBN0-571-04922-2
- Walter's Inkwells of 1885 Book 1, Leo G Walter, published privately 1968
- Inkbottles & Inkwells, William E Covill Jnr, William S Sullwold 1971
- Inkstands & Inkwells A Collector's Guide, Betty & Ted Rivera, Crown Publishers Inc,ISBN0-517-50419-7
- Inkwells Identification & Values Book 1, Veldon Badders, Schroeder Publishing Inc, ISBN0-89145-639-2
- Inkwells Identification & Values Book II, Veldon Badders, Schroeder Publishing Inc, ISBN1-57432-020-3
- Western Writing Implements, Michael Finlay, Plains Books ISBN1-872477-00-3
- Writing Antiques, George Mell, Shire Publications Ltd ISBN0-85263-519-2
- Writing Implements & Accessories, Joyce Irene Whalley, David & Charles ISBN0-7153-6903-2
- Yesterday's Shopping 1907 facsimile, Army & Navy Stores, David & Charles ISBN0-7153-4692-X
- The Story of Writing, Donald Jackson, Studio Vista ISBN0-289-70985-7
- The Enormous File, A Social History of the Office, Alan Delgado, John Murray ISBN0-7195-3612-X
- Doulton Ink Wares, Colin Roberts, BEE Publications ISBN0-9520547-0-1
- Ink, Glue, Polish and Blacking Bottles, A Collector's Dictionary, 1750-1950, Guy Burch, Mistletoe Towny 2023 ISBN978-0-9957956-1-7
- De Vito, C., Medeghini, L., Mignardi, S., Coletti, F., & Contino, A. (2017). (Rome, Italy): Production technology. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 37(4), 1779–1788. 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.11.044