Is This An Inkwell?

[LizB]

I saw it described as an inkwell, but the stopper is much more reminiscent of a perfume bottle. But then it has that little pointy bit at the bottom that looks just perfect for a nib to pick up the last of the ink.

 

Any ideas?

 

[Chrissy]

Yes, I agree it looks more like an inkwell because of the portion in the base that has been hollowed out in order to fill a pen with ink. Is the hole in the top big enough to get a pen in there?

[graystranger]

Ground glass stoppers have been used for many decades, probably over 100 years for all kinds of bottles. The stoppers of perfume bottles are usually very long and tapered so the user can apply a drop at a time. I think this is likely an inkwell, probably for dip pens. But, it could be something else where an applicator is used, like a glass bulb eyedropper. I think it would make a great ink bottle for a desk or drawer. I wish I could find one for me! I love old ground glass bottles already, and have thought about getting an old perfume bottle with a ground glass stopper and cutting the long point off to use for ink.

[LizB]

Ah, good point! Yes, it is. it is fairly narrow, but enough space for a dip pen, and a standard sort of fountain pen.

 

[PAKMAN]

It does look like an inkwell, as mentioned the only unknown is the diameter of the opening and is it big enough to dip through.

[LizB]

Ground glass stoppers have been used for many decades, probably over 100 years for all kinds of bottles. The stoppers of perfume bottles are usually very long and tapered so the user can apply a drop at a time. I think this is likely an inkwell, probably for dip pens. But, it could be something else where an applicator is used, like a glass bulb eyedropper. I think it would make a great ink bottle for a desk or drawer. I wish I could find one for me! I love old ground glass bottles already, and have thought about getting an old perfume bottle with a ground glass stopper and cutting the long point off to use for ink.

 

Thank you, great info. I just loved the shape and size of this little bottle, even if it wasn't originally designed for ink. You can see the stopper is fairly stubby on this. That pointy base could easily be for an eyedropper, I never thought of that.

[graystranger]

Now I really want one! Maybe I should start an eBay search for ground glass stoppered bottles. That very thick heavy base also indicates a use where the bottle might get tipped over easily without it.

Edited November 12, 2016 by graystranger

[Chrissy]

It is lovely. If I found one on ebay, I would also buy it without hesitation. I love that teardrop detail inside the stopper too.

[dcwaites]

Beautiful little bottle. I wish I had one.

 

From the relatively small size, and the plain, simple, circular shape of the bottom half, I would say it was designed to settle into a matching opening in a desk dip pen set, like this --

 

http://thumbs3.picclick.com/d/w1600/pict/282149499038_/Vintage-Sengbusch-Art-Deco-Oak-Wood-Desk-Set.jpg

 

or this --

 

[Chrissy]

Yes I think they usually came in desk sets. Used for red and black inks.

 

I don't think it would be very good to actually store ink in. It would probably evaporate. It's just a pretty thing.