Spherical Brass Inkwell by Gusums Bruk

This modernist brass inkwell from the renowned Swedish metalworks, Gusums Bruk is characterized by its striking spherical forms.

• Material: The inkwell is constructed entirely of brass.
• Design and Form: The inkwell is built from a series of connected brass spheres, creating a distinctive, almost sculptural, composition:
  • Main Body: The central component is a large, polished brass sphere which houses the ink reservoir.
  • Lid: A section of the top of this large sphere forms a perfectly fitted, hinged lid. When opened, it reveals a removable, clear glass inkwell liner.
  • Feet/Base: The main spherical body rests on three smaller brass spheres that serve as feet, providing stability and elevating the inkwell.
  • Finial/Handle: Perched directly on top of the main spherical body is a fourth, even smaller brass sphere, which functions as a decorative finial.
• Overall Aesthetic: The design is highly geometric and minimalist, relying purely on the repetition and arrangement of spherical forms. This gives it a distinctly modern, perhaps even Bauhaus-influenced or Streamline Moderne feel.

Gusums Bruk: Company Information

• Company Name: The full company name is Gusums Bruk, with Bruk meaning “works” or “mill” in Swedish. This identifies it as a product from the historic brass foundry in Gusum, Sweden.
• History: Gusums Bruk, founded in 1653, was a very long-lived and significant Swedish metalworks. While initially an ironworks, it became renowned for its high-quality brass production. They produced a vast array of brass goods, ranging from industrial components to decorative household items like candlesticks, chandeliers, and unique desk accessories like this inkwell. The company ceased its decorative brass production around 1925 and eventually closed in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

Estimated Age and Style Confirmation

• Style: This spherical inkwell’s design, with its emphasis on pure geometric forms and sleekness, is characteristic of the early 20th century, specifically the Art Deco period (c. 1920s-1930s). It aligns well with the broader European Modernist movements that favored industrial aesthetics and clean lines, moving away from the more organic forms of Art Nouveau. Gusums Bruk, despite its long history, clearly embraced contemporary design trends in its later years of decorative production.
• Dating: Given that Gusums Bruk generally ceased decorative brass production around 1925, this inkwell would likely date from the 1920s.