Emerald-Green 8-Sided Umbrella Ink Bottle

This is a nice example of an early American 8-sided “Umbrella” ink bottle, notable for both its vivid coloration and its crude manufacturing characteristics.

Form and Color

• Style: Classic 8-sided pyramidal “Umbrella” form.
• Color: A rich, shaded emerald green (verging on teal) that exhibits beautiful depth under natural light.
• Texture: The glass is crude, featuring a heavily “hammered” whittle texture across the entire surface. This indicates the glass was blown into a relatively cold mold, a highly desirable trait for collectors of early utilitarian glass.

Manufacturing Details

• Lip: Features a very uneven and crude rolled-in lip, characteristic of mid-19th-century production.
• Base: The base is unmarked and carries a very prominent, sharp tubular open pontil scar, confirming its early origin.
• Date: Attributed to the 1830s–1840s.

Condition Report

This bottle is in “above ground” condition, meaning it has not been dug or professionally cleaned, preserving its original surface luster.

• Structural: Excellent. No chips, cracks, deep scratches, or scuffs.
• Clarity: Very nice overall. There is a light, spotty content haze localized near the inner lower base area.
• Wear: Minor “lite” wear is present on two of the panel ribs and the outer base. These are typical shelf-wear marks and are primarily visible only under strong, direct lighting.

Note: The combination of the deep emerald shading and the intense, “hammered” whittle makes this a standout piece for a display of 19th-century inks. The sharp, open pontil is a textbook example for the period.