Antique Victorian late 19th or early 20th century brass and leather ink well

Antique Victorian late 19th or early 20th century brass and leather ink well. Some minor age related wear but in exceptional condition!! With original glass ink well and all leather in tacked

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5 cm round

5 cm tall

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Antique Brass & Leather Travelling Inkwell with Glass Insert (c.1880–1910)

This charming portable inkwell would once have been carried by a Victorian or Edwardian writer, clerk, or officer — a small but vital companion for letter-writing on the move. Compact and beautifully engineered, these were designed to seal tightly so ink wouldn’t spill inside a pocket, satchel, writing slope, or railway case.

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This example features a warm brass lid and collar paired with a deep oxblood or burgundy leather-covered body. The hinged lid opens smoothly to reveal the original stopper mechanism and a removable hand-blown glass ink reservoir, still present — which is a real bonus, as they’re so often missing.

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Inside the lid you can see the padded seal which would have helped keep the ink airtight. The sprung clasp and inner retaining clip are also still in place, demonstrating the clever functionality of the period.

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Style & Period

✔ Likely Victorian to early Edwardian (c.1880–1910)

✔ Portable / travelling gentleman’s or lady’s writing accessory

✔ Brass, leather, and glass construction — all typical of the era

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Condition

This piece shows exactly the kind of gentle wear we love to see in a true antique:

Brass has aged to a soft mellow patina

Leather has light scuffs and signs of age, adding to its authenticity

Lid opens and closes well

Original glass insert present and intact

Internal seal shows age-related wear (as expected)

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Overall it displays beautifully — a tactile, characterful object that instantly evokes the romance of handwritten letters and life before fountain pens went mobile

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Why We Love It

Because it feels like holding a moment in time. You can imagine it tucked into a jacket pocket or a writing box, travelling by steam train or ocean liner, faithfully storing ink for notes home, poetry, or business correspondence.

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It’s also a fantastic decorative piece for:

🖋 Writing desks

📚 Curio cabinets

🎁 Gifts for stationery lovers

🏺 Antique collectors

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