New England “Umbrella” Ink Bottle

This is an exceptional example of a New England “umbrella” ink bottle, dating to approximately the 1840s. Its “black glass” appearance and crude manufacturing marks make it a standout piece for any early American glass collection.

Form and Dimensions

• Style: Classic “Umbrella” shape, characterized by a wide, stable base and a conical body.
• Paneling: The body features eight sloping panels that taper toward the neck. Around the base, there are eight small vertical panels providing a distinct, faceted silhouette.
• Dimensions: It stands approximately 2″ tall with a base diameter of 2 ¼”.

Color and Glass Quality

• Visual Color: In reflected light, the glass appears nearly opaque, earning the “black glass” moniker.
• Translucency: When held to a strong light source, the bottle reveals a beautiful, deep dark amber or “burnt orange” hue.
• Clarity: This is a “clean attic bottle,” meaning it has been preserved in a dry environment and retains its original surface luster with no glass sickness or haze.

Manufacturing Details

• Mouth: The bottle features a crude, smooth sheared mouth. It lacks a tooled finish, which is characteristic of earlier production. A natural “smooth dip” is present on the lip, which appears to be a result of the shearing process during manufacture rather than later wear.
• Base (Pontil): The underside shows a prominent open pontil mark, indicating it was blown into a mold and then snapped off the blowpipe.
• Embossing: The bottle is unembossed, letting the geometry of the panels and the quality of the glass serve as the primary visual interest.

Condition Report:  One small, shallow nick on the edge of the sheared lip.

• • A shallow sliver chip on the very bottom edge of the base.
  • Otherwise, the bottle is structurally sound and retains excellent “whittle” and character from the mold.

This bottle represents a primitive era of American glassmaking, where utility met a rugged, geometric aesthetic. Its dark color and New England origins suggest it was likely produced at one of the prolific glass houses of the era, such as those in Stoddard or Coventry.