Aquamarine Cut Glass Inkwell

This aquamarine cut glass inkwell combines geometric precision with the glass chemistry of the era.

Detailed Physical Description

• Form: The inkwell features a “step-sided” or “tapered prism” body. The front of the well descends in four distinct, polished steps, while the back remains vertical. One can rest a pen on any of the steps.
• The Lid: It is equipped with a faceted glass lid in a “diamond” or “jewel” cut, which is attached by a decorative brass hinge. The brass collar is embellished with a fine “beaded” or “dot” pattern around the rim.

The Color: Aquamarine / Teal

The shade of this glass is best described as Aquamarine or Light Teal.

• How it was achieved: In the 19th century, this specific blue-green hue was primarily achieved by adding copper oxide to the molten glass batch. Depending on the furnace atmosphere (oxidation vs. reduction), copper can produce anything from a deep ruby red to the bright turquoise/aquamarine seen here.

Manufacturing and Process

This piece was produced using a combination of industrial and hand-finishing techniques:

1. Molding: The basic shape was likely press-molded or blown into a metal mold to create the stepped silhouette.
2. Cutting and Polishing: After cooling, the piece underwent extensive hand-finishing on a glass-cutter’s wheel. The sharp, crisp edges of the steps and the facets on the lid were ground down and then polished to achieve their high-refractive shine.
3. Assembly: The brass collar was fitted to the glass neck and secured, often using a mixture of plaster of Paris and glue common in Victorian manufacturing.

Age

• Estimated Age: Circa 1880–1910. This specific “stepped” design and the use of vibrant colored glass were highly popular during the Late Victorian and Edwardian periods.