Vintage could be older glass ink well bottle with letter F or possibly E on base. This is a lovely little colourful glass ink well with amazing little bubbles within the glass from when it was hand blown.
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Size: 6 cm tall 5 cm round at base 3 cm round at top.
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Price is for small ink well. All other items are illustration only. Some age related wear.
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Inkwells, containers for holding ink used with dip pens, have a history stretching back to ancient Egypt, evolving from simple stones to elaborate decorative pieces, reflecting the importance of writing and literacy throughout various eras.
Here's a more detailed look at the history of inkwells:
Ancient Origins & Early Forms:
Ancient Egypt:
The earliest forms of inkwells can be traced to ancient Egypt, where scribes used stones with round holes to hold ink, which they would then use to write on papyrus.
Roman Era:
By the 1st century AD, scribes across the Roman Empire used small, unadorned inkwells made of metal or pottery.
Medieval Period:
Writing continued to be considered a humble task, exclusively suited for scribes, throughout the Middle Ages.
Renaissance & Beyond:
Renaissance:
During the Renaissance, more affluent classes began to undertake writing themselves, leading to more elaborate and decorative inkwells, which became symbols of status and education.
16th Century onwards:
Many elaborate inkwells can be found from European origins from the 16th century forward.
18th Century:
In Europe, glass inkwells dating from the early 18th century have been noted, and advertisements for ink bottles date at least as early as the 1770s.
19th Century:
Writing letters was a popular past time in the Victorian era, and inkwells or ink stands were often very decorative.
Late 19th Century:
Brass inkwells often depicted the head of an animal and sometimes served a dual purpose as, perhaps, a match striker or stand for a pocket watch.
20th Century:
Inkwells gradually fell out of use in the early part of the 20th century as the reservoir fountain pen replaced the dip pen.
