Hat & Cane – Novelty Inkwell with Pen

This is a traveling inkwell from the late 19th or early 20th century. Its design cleverly disguises its function as a set of gentleman’s accessories. The inkwell was made in the form of a top hat next to a cane or closed umbrella. The hat is made of sheet steel, and the cane has a realistic-looking ivory handle.

To access the ink, the crown of the hat is a removable lid. Inside, there’s a threaded metal lid that, when unscrewed, reveals a glass bottle and its cork stopper. This multi-layered closure system was designed to be spill-proof and ideal for travel.

The cane or umbrella holds a dip pen. The handle can be pulled out, revealing a small dip pen with a metal nib. This allows a user to write on the go.

Origin and Period

This type of novelty inkwell was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Germany and Austria. They were often made from materials like spelter (a zinc alloy) or brass and were a part of a larger trend of producing decorative, functional desk items. Often, they were sold as souvenirs with the name of the location printed on the hat.