Rotating Inkstand for Cutler Rolltop Desk

This Cutler inkwell desk accessory was designed to attach to the a Cutler rolltop desk from the late 19th century. Abner Cutler patented the rolltop desk in 1881, and this inkwell accessory was designed to complement the desk, providing a convenient way for storing ink. The top of the inkstand, made of wood to match the desk, has carved grooves to hold pens. Attached underneath is a metal bracket mounted on a pivot point which holds three inkwells. The inkstand includes an extending arm with an arrow-like point that clips into the mounting section of the desk, usually in the middle of the pigeonholes.

The metal bracket holding the three inkwells is designed to rotate or pivot, allowing each inkwell to align with an opening in the overhead wooden pen holder. When you want to dip a pen into the ink, you rotate the bracket so that one of the inkwells aligns perfectly with the opening in the wooden pen holder above.