Vintage Caribonum Oil Ink Bottle – Violet No. 93A
By Reid’s Ink | c. 1900–1925
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There is something deeply evocative about an old ink bottle — a small but powerful witness to everyday history. This original Caribonum Oil Ink bottle, produced by Reid’s Ink, is a beautiful survivor from the early 20th century, once used to re-ink office and desk stamp pads.
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Moulded from heavy, faceted glass, the bottle has a wonderful sense of presence despite its modest size. The glass is embossed with REID’S INK, a reassuring mark of quality from one of Britain’s best-known ink manufacturers of the period.
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It retains its original screw cap and a rare surviving paper label, softly aged and full of character.
The label reads Caribonum Oil Ink – Violet No. 93A, a colour favoured in Edwardian and interwar offices for its clarity and distinction. Traces of the original violet ink remain inside the bottle, creating rich, atmospheric staining — exactly what collectors and stylists love to see.
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This piece would once have sat on a clerk’s desk alongside ledgers, rubber stamps and blotting paper, quietly playing its part in the paperwork of daily life. Today, it makes a wonderful decorative object, perfect for a study, studio, or vintage-inspired interior.
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✨ Details
Maker: Reid’s Ink
Product: Caribonum Oil Ink
Colour: Violet No. 93A
Date: c. 1900–1925
Material: Moulded glass
Features: Embossed maker’s mark, original screw cap, original paper label
Size approx 5cm tall x 3cm wide at base
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✨ Condition
Good vintage condition overall. Expected surface wear and ink staining consistent with age and use. The label is worn but legible and wonderfully authentic. No obvious chips or cracks noted.
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✨ Why we love it
Because it’s a small, honest object with a big story — the kind of piece that adds quiet depth to a shelf or desk and invites closer inspection. Functional once, beautiful forever.