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
was at the time highly restricted. Only scribes knew the full array of hieroglyphs and would write on the 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 early part of 20th century
Gallery
File:Inkhorn and ivory case, 9th-13th c, exh. Benedictines NG Prague, 150683.jpg|Inkhorn with ivory case (Prague, 9th–13th century). An inkhorn is an inkwell made of horn
File:Chemical auditory, 1904.jpg|Stands for dip pens and inkwells in the desks of student benches in the historic Chemical Auditorium of the Gdańsk University of Technology, 1904
File:Ritterling 13 (3D reconstruction).png|3D model of a Roman Ritt. 13 inkpot
File:Anonymous Amber inkwell 01.jpg|Renaissance amber inkwell of king Sigismund III Vasa, 1590s
File:Travelling Inkwells.jpg|Examples of 19th century Travelling Inkwells
File:Tudric Inkwell.jpg|Tudric pewter Inkwell
File:Ecole-banc1900.jpg|French school desks, c. 1900. The holes for the student's inkwells can be seen
File:MEK II-438.jpg|Inkwell, currently at the MEK
File:Pallme-König & Habel - Inkwell - 2008.67 - Cleveland Museum of Art.tif|alt=Pallme-König & Habel — Inkwell - 2008.67 - Cleveland Museum of Art|Pallme-König & Habel — Inkwell - 2008.67 - Cleveland Museum of Art
File:England or America, 19th century - Inkwell Set - 1961.172 - Cleveland Museum of Art.jpg|alt=England or America, 19th century — Inkwell Set - 1961.172 - Cleveland Museum of Art|England or America, 19th century — Inkwell Set - 1961.172 - Cleveland Museum of Art
File:Inkwell carved from anthracite - Cleveland Museum of Natural History (34362298300).jpg|alt=Inkwell carved from anthracite — Cleveland Museum of Natural History|Inkwell carved from anthracite - Cleveland Museum of Natural History
File:Khalili Collection Islamic Art mxd 0056.1.jpg|10th century medieval Islamic agate inkwell inscribed with Kufic script. Khalili Collection.
See also
Bibliography
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The Collector's World of Inkwells, Jean & Franklin Hunting, Schiffer Publishing Ltd
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The Write Stuff Inkwells Pens & Desk Accessories, Ray & Bevy Jaegers, Krause Publications
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McGraw's Book of Antique Inkwells Volume 1, Vincent D McGraw, published privately 1972
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Edwardian Shopping 1898–1913 selection facsimile, Army & Navy Stores, David & Charles
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Pens & Writing Equipment, Jim Marshall, Miller's
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English Silver Hallmarks, Judith Bannister, W Foulsham & Co Ltd
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Handbook of Pottery & Porcelain Marks, J P Cushion, Faber & Faber Ltd
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Walter's Inkwells of 1885 Book 1, Leo G Walter, published privately 1968
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Inkbottles & Inkwells, William E Covill Jnr, William S Sullwold 1971
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Inkstands & Inkwells A Collector's Guide, Betty & Ted Rivera, Crown Publishers Inc,
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Inkwells Identification & Values Book 1,Veldon Badders, Schroeder Publishing Inc,
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Inkwells Identification & Values Book II, Veldon Badders, Schroeder Publishing Inc,
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Western Writing Implements, Michael Finlay, Plains Books
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Writing Antiques, George Mell, Shire Publications Ltd
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Writing Implements & Accessories, Joyce Irene Whalley, David & Charles
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Yesterday's Shopping 1907 facsimile, Army & Navy Stores, David & Charles
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The Story of Writing, Donald Jackson, Studio Vista
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The Enormous File, A Social History of the Office, Alan Delgado, John Murray
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Doulton Ink Wares, Colin Roberts, BEE Publications
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Ink, Glue, Polish and Blacking Bottles, A Collector's Dictionary, 1750-1950, Guy Burch, Mistletoe Towny 2023
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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
