Page 36 - joa-nov-21

In 1884, inspired by the The Evolution Continues
inconvenience of dip-pens, Elegant, Art Deco Era inkwells were often made of onyx, marble, or
American inventor L. E. cube-cut glass. Others, featuring solid brass bodies, were capped with
Waterman patented the contrasting copper, cut glass, or bronze lids. Brown, black, and
reliable, highly functional butterscotch-hued Bakelite beauties were abundant as well.
ink-reservoir fountain pen. Vintage inkwell prices vary greatly, ranging from under $100 to
Rather than repeated dips many times more dependent on their size, material, manufacturer,
between one line and the rarity, theme, workmanship, condition, and when they were made.
next, writers periodically Some enthusiasts prefer pieces from a particular company or made of
filled their ample reservoirs a particular material, like porcelain, pewter, or majolica. Some seek
with bottled ink. specific pieces from specific eras, say 18th-century inkstands, mid-19th
Since fine penmanship
was considered an integral century bottles, or 20th-century school desk wells.
Though ink no longer stains schoolchildren’s fingers and
part of schoolchildren’s old-fashioned pens are things of the past, vintage inkwells continue to
education, wooden school charm. They not only reflect skills, styles, and social mores of days gone
desks were designed with by. They also evoke those long-ago moments when writers put
small, round holes to house old-timey, ink-filled pens to paper.
simple glass inkwells. To
meet demand, numerous Title image: Louis XVI-style Malachite
Shell Art Inkwell featuring pen rest and companies, including the Inkwell Stand with pounce pot, central
central glass ink pot. Stand measures 4½”, San Francisco & Pacific tray and well for pens, 3½” x 13”, dp. 10;
base 4½” by 4¼”. Image courtesy of www.Rubylane.com Glass Works and the with quill pen 14¼”, 19th century.
Sanford Ink Company, Realized $984 in 2016.
produced these inexpensive bottles by the millions. Image courtesy
of Skinner, Inc.
Through the late 1890s, noted European potteries, like www.skinnerinc.com
Limoges and Meissen, continued to produce romantic, hand-paint-
ed, gilt, glazed ceramic fantasies depicting cherubs, birds, and
flowers. Yet other potteries, like Gouda and Wedgwood, for Left, Tiffany Studios Art
example, produced assortments of creative tin-glazed and Nouveau “Grape Vine” Inkwell,
bronze dore with caramel
Jasperware beauties. Tiffany Studios, based in New York, created slag glass, set on ball feet, stamped
impressive bronze and glass “Grape Vine” and bronze-doré “Tiffany Studios New York”
“Zodiac”-patterned inkwells, as well as fine, iridescent ones fashioned and “845,” 2¾” x 3 ¼” x 3¼” ,
from Favrile glass. Less costly wells, made of frosted glass, Vaseline early 20th century. New York.
glass, or milk glass, for instance, were also appealing. Realized $563 in 2020.
Image Courtesy of Skinner, Inc. www.skinnerinc.com

Continued from page 29
Condition is also a consideration when
collecting glass paperweights. Obviously, glass
can get scratched over time. Therefore, you can
expect to find slight scratches or chips, espe-
cially on many of the earliest paperweights,
and sometimes those imperfections can be
buffed out. However, some collectors like
the added character imperfections
provide. Similarly, some collectors focus
on paperweights with perfectly centered
designs, while others look for more quirky
paperweights with off-center patterns.
If you are reading descriptions of
paperweights, such as on a list of items to
be auctioned, be cautious. Not all auction-
eers know the age or value of the items they
are selling. They often use misleading terms
like “stunning” and “beautiful” to detract from
Diamond Hammer Drive Anchor the fact that certain items are of unknown age
advertising paperweight or value. Even if they use the word “antique,”
check the paperweight yourself before putting
Tips for Collecting Traditional in a bid. Similarly, when buying paperweights
Glass Paperweights online, always be wary of language used,
If you want to collect traditional glass inspect images carefully, and ask questions to
paperweight, you can focus on certain design make sure you get the product you desire.
types, time periods, or even specific makers.
Many glass paperweights have maker’s marks Collect the Paperweights
incorporated into their designs. It is important That Speak to You Footed Chinese paperweight
to familiarize yourself with maker’s marks and Ultimately, the paperweights you choose to paperweights or ones with animals or other
designs if you plan to collect rare, expensive collect and how you choose to collect them is features. There are many possibilities, so
paperweights. They are often copied. You need up to you. You may opt to focus on one type you are only limited by your imagination
to know how to recognize authentic pieces. or many. You could look for traditional flower and preferences.

34 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles