French Brass Inkwell with Pen Wipe

This is an antique French brass inkwell features intricate repoussé work and a functional pen wipe built into the lid.

Key Features:

• Form:
  • Body: The inkwell has a bulbous, almost spherical body that tapers slightly towards the top.
  • Neck: A narrow, cylindrical neck rises from the body, leading to the lid.
  • Lid: The lid is domed and features a decorative finial.
• Material and Finish:
  • Brass: The inkwell is made entirely of brass.
• Decoration:
  • Repoussé Work: The inkwell is extensively decorated with repoussé work, a technique where designs are hammered from the reverse side to create raised patterns on the front.
  • Motifs: The repoussé designs include:
    • Scrollwork: Elaborate scrollwork patterns are visible on the body and the lid.
    • Cartouches: Several cartouches (decorative panels) are incorporated into the design, featuring ornate scrollwork and possibly floral motifs.
    • Fluting: Vertical fluting patterns are present on the body.
    • Piercing: The neck of the inkwell features a ring of pierced decoration, creating a decorative band.
  • Finial: The finial on the lid is also decorated with repoussé work, complementing the overall design.
• Lid Functionality:
  • Hinged Lid: The lid is hinged, allowing access to the ink reservoir within the body.
  • Pen Wipe: The most notable feature revealed upon opening the lid is the built-in pen wipe. This consists of a dense cluster of bristles, likely horsehair or a similar material, attached to the underside of the lid. This functional addition would have been used to clean excess ink from pen nibs, preventing blots and ensuring smooth writing.