Cast Iron Inkstand with Pen Holder

This cast iron inkstand features a pressed glass inkwell with a matching lid, resting centrally on a cast iron base. The cast iron base has a textured, stippled, surface and incorporates an attached pen holder. Two examples are pictured, one with a brass finish.

“Eastlake” Style: “Eastlake” refers to a style of furniture and decorative arts popular in the United States and Great Britain from the 1870s to the 1890s. It was inspired by the writings and designs of Charles Locke Eastlake, an English architect and furniture designer. Eastlake advocated for furniture that was robust, functional, and hand-crafted, moving away from the more ornate and curvilinear excesses of earlier Victorian styles.

Does this inkwell match the “Eastlake” style? Yes, this inkwell strongly aligns with the “Eastlake” style.

• Geometric base with incised texture: The base, while having some curves, also features a clear, regular, and somewhat geometric texture (stippling or a repeating pattern) that is consistent with Eastlake’s emphasis on simpler, often incised or applied, decoration.
• Architectural forms in the pen holder: The pen holder, with its angular and decorative supports, has an architectural quality reminiscent of Eastlake design principles. They are decorative but still maintain a certain robustness.
• Cast iron material: Cast iron was a popular material for decorative and utilitarian items during the late Victorian period, and its ability to be molded into repetitive, geometric, and incised patterns made it suitable for Eastlake-inspired designs.
• Functional design: The overall design is robust and clearly functional, which aligns with Eastlake’s philosophy.