Inkwell

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For other uses, see Inkwell (disambiguation).
"Inkpot" redirects here. For the Shocking Blue album, see Inkpot (album). For the comics awards, see Inkpot Award.
An English silver and glass inkwell, hallmark date 1910

An inkwell is a small jar or container, often made of glass, porcelain, silver, brass, or pewter, used for holding ink in a place convenient for the person who is writing. The artist or writer dips the brush, quill, or dip pen into the inkwell as needed or uses the inkwell as the source for filling the reservoir of a fountain pen. An inkwell usually has a lid to prevent contamination, evaporation, accidental spillage, and excessive exposure to air. A type known as the travelling inkwell was fitted with a secure screw lid so a traveller could carry a supply of ink in their luggage without the risk of leakage.

Origins

The inkwell's origins may be traced back to

hieroglyphs was at the time highly restricted. Only scribes knew the full array of hieroglyphs and would write on the behalf of their employers, usually the pharaoh. After Rome invaded Egypt, inkwells became more popular in Italy as a larger percentage of the population were capable of writing.[1]

Inkwells gradually fell out of use in the early part of 20th century[2] as the reservoir fountain pen (which needs to be filled only occasionally) replaced the dip pen, which needed to be dipped in ink after writing a few lines. Old school desks had round holes for inkwells.[3]

  • Inkhorn with ivory case (Prague, 9th–13th century). An inkhorn is an inkwell made of horn
    Inkhorn with ivory case (Prague, 9th–13th century). An inkhorn is an inkwell made of horn
  • Stands for dip pens and inkwells in the desks of student benches in the historic Chemical Auditorium of the Gdańsk University of Technology, 1904
    Stands for dip pens and inkwells in the desks of student benches in the historic Chemical Auditorium of the Gdańsk University of Technology, 1904
  • 3D model of a Roman Ritt. 13 inkpot
    3D model of a Roman Ritt. 13 inkpot
  • Renaissance amber inkwell of king Sigismund III Vasa, 1590s
    Renaissance amber inkwell of king Sigismund III Vasa, 1590s
  • Examples of 19th century Travelling Inkwells
    Examples of 19th century Travelling Inkwells
  • Tudric pewter Inkwell
    Tudric pewter Inkwell
  • French school desks, c. 1900. The holes for the student's inkwells can be seen
    French school desks, c. 1900. The holes for the student's inkwells can be seen
  • Inkwell, currently at the MEK
    Inkwell, currently at the MEK
  • Pallme-König & Habel — Inkwell - 2008.67 - Cleveland Museum of Art
    Pallme-König & Habel — Inkwell - 2008.67 - Cleveland Museum of Art
  • England or America, 19th century — Inkwell Set - 1961.172 - Cleveland Museum of Art
    England or America, 19th century — Inkwell Set - 1961.172 - Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Inkwell carved from anthracite — Cleveland Museum of Natural History
    Inkwell carved from anthracite - Cleveland Museum of Natural History
  • 10th century medieval Islamic agate inkwell inscribed with Kufic script. Khalili Collection.
    10th century medieval Islamic agate inkwell inscribed with Kufic script. Khalili Collection.

See also

References

Look up inkwell in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inkwells.
  1. ^ Shanks, H. (2002). Scrolls, Scripts & Stelae. Biblical Archaeology Review, 28(5), 24.
  2. ^ "The piston filling mechanism".
  3. ^ "Schooling since 1913". 8 February 2021.

Bibliography


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