Figural Traveling Bag Inkwell

This inkwell is an example of the late 19th-century trend of casting realistic, everyday objects as novel desk accessories.

Detailed Description

• Overall Form: The piece is shaped like a slightly bulging, well-used piece of luggage, complete with a central handle, straps, and a tag.
• Material: The main body is spelter (a zinc alloy, which is a type of ‘white metal’) cast with a heavy, dark bronze patina or chemical finish to mimic old, worn leather. The fine detail suggests a high-quality casting process.
• Surface Detail (Trompe-l’œil): The surface is highly textured to create a realistic effect (a technique known as trompe-l’œil):
  • The main body has the appearance of worn leather.
  • The side panels and center closure (under the handle) feature a basket-weave or fabric pattern detail.
  • The straps and buckles are all cast in relief and appear to cinch the bag, with realistic detailing on the buckles.
• Functionality:
  • Inkwell: The central section of the bag’s top has a hinged lid that opens to reveal the reservoir.
  • Insert: The ink reservoir contains a milk glass insert (also called opal glass or opaque white glass).
• “Ribbed” Section: The small, slightly raised, ribbed rectangular section visible on the top near the handle is an indicator that this piece was designed to be a dual-function item:
  • It is a Striking Plate (or Striker), which would have been used to ignite early forms of safety or sulfur matches.
  • The piece was possibly a combination Inkwell and Match Holder (or Vesta). It would have been a handy accessory placed right next to a smoking or writing chair.

Estimated Age and Origin

• Figural Novelties: Inkwells modeled after bags, shoes, hats, and animals were incredibly popular decorative items during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
• Spelter and Patina: The widespread use of cast spelter with a bronze finish for decorative arts flourished from the 1870s through the early 1900s.
• Match Striker Inclusion: The inclusion of a match striker dates the piece to the period when matches became commonplace (post-1840s), but the style firmly places it later.
• The Gladstone Bag: The Gladstone bag, a leather travel bag with a rigid frame named after William Ewart Gladstone, was popular from the 1880s onward, suggesting the model is post-1880.

• Age Estimate: circa 1880 – 1910

• Origin: Given the style and materials, it is most likely of French, German, or American manufacture, as these countries produced vast quantities of novelty cast metal goods during this period.