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riting systems have existed since ancient times. Sumerians,
for example, used a stylus to create meaningful wedge-like Spiraled Scroll Inkstand,
Wimpressions in soft-clay. Highly trained Egyptian scribes featuring House of Savoy coat
of arms, ca. 1753. Italy.
penned spells and bills by dipping thick, pointed river-reeds in ink
prepared and kept in natural hollows found in small “inkstones.” Over Purchase, Wrightsman Fund, 1997, courtesy
www.metmuseum/org , public domain
time, these simple containers evolved into open terracotta pots, square
wooden wells, and decorative, green-glazed ceramic vessels.
Chinese scribes initially moistened ground gum-and-soot inksticks
or cakes on decorative, carved inkstones. In time, they stored ink paste
and its fluids in delicate, hand-painted porcelain pots. As time went by,
prestigious scholars also commissioned sumptuous carved cinnabar and
jade inkwells.
By the 1st century AD, scribes
across the Roman Empire often
used small, round, unadorned
wells. These traditionally featured
two holes on top – one to insert a
writing pipe, and the other, sealed
with cloth or cork, to ensure that Wedgwood Solid Pale
stored ink did not dry out. As glass Blue Jasper Inkstand, Realized $1,185in 2009.
production spread, these were overall height 3¾”, Image Courtesy of Skinner, Inc.
www.skinnerinc.com
often replaced with clear, molded, late 18th century. England.
bluish-green blown or molded
glass models. Among the upper
classes, bright cobalt blue inkwells
Translucent glass inkwell, were also fashionable.
with perforated cover, 1 5/8” x 3 3/8”. During the Middle Ages, when
1st–2nd century A.D, Rome. writing was considered a humble
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917, task, European monastic scribes
courtesy www.metmuseum.org. Public domain. created manuscripts using ink-
dipped swan, eagle, hawk, crow,
turkey, or goose wing-feather quills. When finely sharpened, their
flexible nibs particularly suited vellum and parchment work. Their
durable, brownish iron-gall and black “India” inks, sometimes prepared
from solid cakes or powders, were kept in hollow animal horns or more
practical, deep, lidded stoneware pots.
As books became more available and schooling
Decorative, Artistic, spread, writing became increasingly common.
Valuable Iterations From the 1600s on, merchants and bookkeepers
typically stored their ink in simple,
Today, we take literacy—the traditional inkwells. On the other hand,
ability to read and write—for more affluent classes often decked their
granted. During the Renaissance, writing desks and secretaires with costlier
however, typically male nobility and gold, silver, brass, or blown glass wells.
members of the elite alone were edu- Some, instead, preferred impressive
cated. Though many could read, copper-alloy or bronze beauties featuring
few, however, could go beyond sculpted figures like ramping lions or
“marking” their names. Since writing was contemplative scholars. Others acquired
a source of pride, gracing a carved oak massive soapstone, onyx, or marble models.
desk with a decorative inkwell reflected
high educational and social status. Tin glaze faïence, inkwell mounted in gilt bronze,
9½” x 6½”, 18th century. France.
Image courtesy of www.Rubylane.com
32 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles