Amber Eight-Sided Umbrella Ink Bottle

This is a classic piece of early American glass.

Description

• Form & Panels: The bottle is an “umbrella” style. The base is octagonal (8 panels).
• Color & Texture: The “medium syrupy amber” is a textbook description for this glass. The “whittled” texture—that rippled, hammered look—is exceptionally strong on this piece.
• Lip & Base: The piece has an inward rolled lip. The base features a classic, sharp open pontil scar, indicating it was hand-blown and snapped off the blowpipe.
• Origin: This specific shade of amber and the whittled texture are characteristic of New England glass houses, most notably those in Stoddard, New Hampshire (such as the Granite Glass Co. or New Hampton Glass Works), or potentially Coventry or Willington, Connecticut.

Explanatory Glossary

• Umbrella Form: This refers to the conical, multi-sided shape that resembles an open umbrella. It was a popular design in the mid-19th century because the wide base made it difficult to tip over while dipping a quill.
• Whittled: While it looks like the mold was carved with a knife, this texture is actually caused by “mold chill.” When the hot glass hits a relatively cool metal mold, it ripples slightly. Collectors highly prize a “heavily whittled” appearance as it adds character and catches the light.
• Inward Rolled Lip: This was a functional choice. The glass at the mouth was folded back into the neck while hot, creating a smooth, reinforced edge that wouldn’t snag a pen and helped prevent ink from splashing out.
• Open Pontil: A “pontil” (or punty) is the solid metal rod used to hold the bottle while the neck is finished. When the rod is broken off, it leaves a rough, circular scar. This is a primary indicator of age, typically used before the mid-1860s when “snap cases” replaced this method.

Summary Description

Exceptional Eight-Sided Umbrella Inkwell Origin: New England (likely Stoddard, NH), c. 1830–1850.

A superb example of early American blown glass, this umbrella-form inkwell features eight distinct panels with heavy mold-chill “whittling” that gives the glass a brilliant, liquid texture. The coloration is a rich, syrupy amber that transitions beautifully from deep mahogany in the shoulders to a glowing honey-gold in the panels.

Technical features include a crude, inward-rolled mouth and a sharp open pontil scar on the base. Measuring 2 ¼” tall, it remains in pristine, “attic-found” condition, free of the common pot stones or bubble bursts often found in glass of this era. A quintessential piece for the serious New England glass or inkwell enthusiast.