Inkipedia
Roycroft Inkwell – Aurora Brown Finish
| Categories | Arts & Crafts |
| Material | Coppered metal |
| Markings | Roycroft mark |
| Manufacturer | Roycroft |
| Origin | United States |
| Date or Era | circa 1915 |
| Measuring | 2 ½” high |
This is a fine example of a Roycroft hammered copper inkwell—a signature piece of the American Arts and Crafts movement. It embodies the key principles of the Roycroft community’s work: handcrafted excellence, functional design, and a dedication to beautiful, honest materials.
Key Identifying Features
- Maker: The Roycroft Copper Shop, part of Elbert Hubbard’s Roycroft community in East Aurora, New York.
- Material: Heavy-gauge copper.
- Finish: Aurora Brown Patina, achieved through a chemical process (fuming with ammonia) to create a rich, dark brown, almost purplish-black finish.
- Mark: The impressed Roycroft mark is visible on the underside of the base, featuring the orb and cross symbol.
Structural and Decorative Description
| Component | Detailed Features | Arts & Crafts Significance |
| Form/Base | Circular, tapered body. | The simple, geometric form emphasizes utility and rejects ornate, fussy Victorian design. |
| Construction | Hammered Copper. The entire exterior surface—including the base, sides, and lid—bears the distinctive hammer marks (or planishing) left by the artisan. | This visible hand-hammering is the quintessential Arts and Crafts aesthetic, celebrating the individual craftsmanship and rejecting industrial mass-production. |
| Inkwell Vessel | The central inkwell is recessed into the copper base. It holds a removable glass insert to contain the ink and protect the copper. | The liner is essential, as ink would react and corrode the copper. The copper acts as a decorative holder. |
| Lid | Domed with Handle. The lid is made of hammered copper and a finial for easy removal. | The lid completes the functional design, keeping the ink clean and preventing evaporation. |
Sold for $310 in September 2025
Content disclaimer. The information posted is the owner’s best knowledge and may not have been vetted by the SOIC. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions, working to make our website information comprehensive and accurate.
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