Glass Inkwell on a Tiered Wooden Base

The Inkwell

• Form & Material: The inkwell is a thick, square block of clear, polished glass with beveled edges. The interior reservoir, visible through the heavy glass, shows a rounded, bulbous well.
• Lid: A rounded, mushroom-shaped hinged brass lid sits atop the glass. When opened, it reveals the circular brass neck and the deep interior of the glass well.
• The Gallery: The inkwell sits securely within a pierced brass gallery (or caddy). This frame features a repetitive keyhole or teardrop cutout pattern.

The Wooden Base

• Construction: The base is made of grained wood with a warm, reddish-brown finish. It is constructed in a stepped, pyramidal tier design that provides a substantial presence on a desk.
• Pen Channels: On all four sides, the wood is carved with deep, concave pen channels. They allow for the horizontal resting of dip pens.
• Brass Detailing:
  • Inlays: Each of the four pen channels is accented with a thin, horizontal brass strip or “rail” along the bottom of the groove.
  • Corner Bosses: The corners of the primary tier are accented with four raised, pyramidal brass studs, which act as decorative anchors.
  • Edge Binding: The very bottom edge of the wooden base is wrapped in a thin brass trim, protecting the wood and tying the metallic elements together.

Base & Underside

• The underside of the wood shows a smooth finish, reinforced by four triangular green felt pads at the corners to protect the desk surface from scratches.