Honey Orange-Amber 8-Sided Umbrella Ink Bottle

This is a nice example of a 19th-century umbrella ink, notable for its vibrant color and “whittled” character.

Form and Color

Standing at 2 ⅜ inches tall, this bottle features the classic 8-sided octagonal “umbrella” shape. The form is well-proportioned, with crisp angles on the panels that taper upward toward the neck.

The color is a standout feature; rather than the more common dark ambers, this bottle exhibits a bright honey orange-amber hue. When backlit, the glass glows with a warm, citrus-like translucency that highlights the internal depth of the glass.

Glass Texture and Character

The glass has a distinct whittled texture, showing the wavy, undulating surface characteristic of bottles blown into a relatively cool mold. This “hammered” look adds significant visual interest and “sparkle” to the exterior panels.

• Seeds: Small, scattered air bubbles (seeds) are visible throughout the glass, a charming hallmark of its 19th-century manufacturing process.
• Clarity: As a dug example that has not been tumbled, it retains excellent integrity. Both the interior and exterior surfaces are sparkling and clean, with a notable absence of the “haze” or “sickness” often found in buried glass.

Lip and Neck

The bottle features a short, flared neck terminating in a tooled lip. The lip is expertly finished—rounded and smooth—showing the craftsmanship of the period. Close-ups show no significant “high point” wear or nibbles, which is impressive for a dug piece.

Base and Manufacturing

• Base: The base is octagonal and smooth, featuring a mild circular indentation or “kick-up” in the center.
• Pontil: There is no pontil mark, which, combined with the tooled lip, suggests a production date likely in the 1870s to 1880s.