Marshall Field Craft Shop Inkwell

This is an Arts & Crafts era inkwell comes from one of the most prestigious retail institutions in American history. Based on the “Made in Our Craft Shop” mark and the swirling relief work, here is a detailed breakdown of this inkwell:

Identity & Pattern Name

The pattern of this inkwell is most commonly referred to as the “Dragon” or “Viking” pattern. The design is a stylized, entwined serpent/dragon motif inspired by Viking Revival (or Norse) aesthetics. During the early 20th century, there was a significant trend in the Arts & Crafts movement to draw from ancient Scandinavian and Celtic “interlace” patterns.

Production & Date

• Maker: Marshall Field & Co. Craft Shop. This was an in-house artisan studio located on the 10th floor of the flagship State Street store in Chicago.
• Date of Manufacture: Circa 1905–1915.
• The “Craft Shop”: Marshall Field opened this specialized shop around 1904 to capitalize on the Arts & Crafts movement. It employed skilled metalsmiths who produced hand-wrought and machine-assisted items in bronze, copper, and silver. This piece belongs to their high-end line of desk accessories intended to compete with firms like Tiffany Studios.

Detailed Description

• Material: Cast bronze with a “Verde” or acid-etched patina. The greenish-brown hue was a deliberate chemical finish designed to give the piece an “ancient” or weathered look.
• Construction: * Body: A heavy, weighted conical (squat) base featuring a continuous 360-degree relief of stylized Viking dragons.
  • Lid: A matching circular, domed lid attached by a sturdy rectangular hinge. The interior of the lid contains the rectangular struck mark: “MADE IN OUR CRAFT SHOP / MARSHALL FIELD & CO.”

Note:

The “Made in Our Craft Shop” mark is sought after because it distinguishes in-house Chicago production from the mass-produced items Field’s imported from Europe or New York.