Cast Iron and Blown-Glass Dome Inkstand with Pen Rack

Description

• The Glass Dome: This is a solid, blown-glass dome ink reservoir featuring a wide, conventional neck opening. It displays the irregularities of mid-to-late 19th-century glass, such as trapped seed bubbles and faint horizontal cooling waves.
• The Framework: The clear glass body sits securely nested inside a simple, circular cast iron collar base.
• The Hinged Lid: A dark metal collar wraps the glass neck, securing a classic flip-top hinged lid. The exterior of the lid features an embossed, stylized five-point geometric rosette or floral star design.
• Pen Rack: Rising from the sides of the circular base ring are two decorative, cast-iron uprights that function as a pen holder.

Timeline and Production

• Era: Circa 1860–1880s.
• Origin: This type of functional, industrial desk stand was popular in post-Civil War American offices and schools. While many mid-to-late 19th-century cast iron desk items bear patent dates stamped on the inner rim or underside of the metal base, many were produced cleanly unmarked by regional commercial foundries to be sold through large catalog stationery distributors.

Without a distinct maker’s mark or design registry number cast into the bottom of the iron ring, it is classified as an undetermined American utility desk stand.