Inkipedia
Amethyst Pressed Glass Inkwell
| Categories | Glass - Non-figural |
| Material | Brass, Glass |
| Markings | Unmarked |
| Manufacturer | Undetermined |
| Origin | Undetermined |
| Date or Era | circa 1900 |
Description
- Glass Body: The inkwell features a rounded/squat bulbous body made of rich amethyst (deep purple) pressed/molded glass. The entire exterior and underside are decorated with an all-over raised diamond point / pyramid (hobnail/quilted) relief pattern.
- Collar & Lid: Fitted around the neck is a three-part heavy brass mount consisting of:
- A flanged base collar fitted around the glass rim.
- Two milled / engine-turned bands bordering the rim and lid lip.
- A broad, heavy three-knuckle hinge.
- A smooth, domed “mushroom” or bun-style flip-top lid.
Origin & Manufacturing Details
| Feature | Identification & Historical Context |
| Origin / Region | Continental Europe (most commonly Bohemia / Austria-Hungary, or possibly France/Germany) or Great Britain (Victorian glasshouses). Bohemian glassworks were particularly famous for combining saturated colored art glass (deep amethyst, cobalt, ruby) with machined brass mounts during this era. |
| Probable Makers | Often unmarked, but glass blanks of this pattern and deep amethyst hue were widely produced by notable Bohemian and German glass houses (such as Moser, Harrach, or Josef Riedel) or British/French pressed-glass manufacturers, fitted with hardware by regional brass founders. |
| Date / Period | Circa 1880 – 1910 (Late Victorian to Edwardian era / Art Nouveau period). |
Notes
- Glass Type: True colored amethyst glass (pigmented using manganese dioxide in the glass batch rather than “sun-colored” purple solarized glass).
- Pattern Style: Often cataloged in period trade lists as Diamond Point, Pyramid Relief, or Hobnail / Diamond Quilted.
- Desk Function: Designed as a heavy, tip-resistant standalone desktop inkwell, with the weight of the thick molded glass and heavy brass cap preventing accidental spills during dip-pen use.
Sold for $90 in July 2026
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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