Enameled Blue Glass Pyramidal Inkwell

This inkwell has a distinctive white-on-colored glass aesthetic.

Description & Design

• Material: The piece is made from translucent blue glass – sometimes called “Bristol Blue” or “Cobalt Blue” – which provides a high-contrast background for the decoration.
• Shape: It features a pyramidal form. The base is a truncated pyramid (frustum), while the lid is a sharply pointed pyramid.
• Motifs: The white enamel painting is detailed and raised (impasto style):
  • Fauna: A songbird is perched amidst foliage on one face, while a butterfly (or moth) with spread wings is depicted on another.
  • Flora: The base and lid are adorned with delicate white enameled branches, flowers, and “feathered” foliage.
• Hardware: A simple brass collar and hinge connects the lid to the base. The interior contains a rounded reservoir for the ink.

Origin & Manufacturer

The majority of this style was produced in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).

• Probable Origin: Large glasshouses in the Bohemian regions of Nový Bor or Nový Svět.
• Attribution: It is generally classified as Bohemian Art Glass.

This inkwell likely dates to the late 19th century, specifically between 1880 and 1900.

• Clues for Age: The presence of a polished, flat base (rather than a raw pontil mark) and the specific “feathered” style of the enamel brushwork are hallmarks of late Victorian Bohemian production. The popularity of these desk accessories peaked during this era before shifting toward Art Nouveau styles after the turn of the century.