Inkstand

Unknown

18th century · Pewter, glass · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Known in the eighteenth century as “ink standishes,” inkstands were a common desk accessory. This example features a compartment for a glass inkpot with a bell cover and four spaces for quills, which were frequently made from goose feathers. The two drawers beneath provided storage for seals and pounce, a dry substance used for drying ink and preparing paper. This inkstand was designed to contain all of the necessary tools for writing, which made it easily transportable. A rare survival in pewter, it is unusual for its compact design and cube shape.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Pewter, glass

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1914