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.Shanks, H. (2002). Scrolls, Scripts & Stelae. Biblical Archaeology Review, 28(5), 24.
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
See also Calligraphy Syng inkstand
References
Bibliography The Collector's World of Inkwells, Jean & Franklin Hunting, Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Write Stuff Inkwells Pens & Desk Accessories, Ray & Bevy Jaegers, Krause Publications 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 Pens & Writing Equipment, Jim Marshall, Miller's English Silver Hallmarks, Judith Bannister, W Foulsham & Co Ltd Handbook of Pottery & Porcelain Marks, J P Cushion, Faber & Faber Ltd 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, Inkwells Identification & Values Book 1, Veldon Badders, Schroeder Publishing Inc, Inkwells Identification & Values Book II, Veldon Badders, Schroeder Publishing Inc, Western Writing Implements, Michael Finlay, Plains Books Writing Antiques, George Mell, Shire Publications Ltd Writing Implements & Accessories, Joyce Irene Whalley, David & Charles Yesterday's Shopping 1907 facsimile, Army & Navy Stores, David & Charles The Story of Writing, Donald Jackson, Studio Vista The Enormous File, A Social History of the Office, Alan Delgado, John Murray Doulton Ink Wares, Colin Roberts, BEE Publications Ink, Glue, Polish and Blacking Bottles, A Collector's Dictionary, 1750-1950, Guy Burch, Mistletoe Towny 2023 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
External links
Society of Inkwell Collectors