Milk Glass Inkwell on Gilded Brass Base

This is a patented inkstand. The inkwell is made of white opaque glass, a material often called milk glass and features a hinged brass lid with an ornate lambrequin collar. The lid is decorated with a turquoise-colored stone at its center.

Summary of Patent #629,088

The patent deals with securing the glass inkwell within its metal base.

• Patent Number: U.S. Patent No. 629,088
• Date of Issue: July 18, 1899
• Inventor: Ernest Oldenbusch
• Assignee: William Schimper & Co.

The patent describes a specific receptacle with double-walled spring-clips designed to embrace and hold the glass inkwell’s sides. The primary purpose of this invention was to prevent the inkwell from rattling or dislodging from its decorative metal base. This allowed the manufacturer to create a more stable and high-quality product. This inkwell is a result of the collaboration between the glassmaker and William Schimper & Co., and its solid feel is a result of the patented secure-fit mechanism invented by Ernest Oldenbusch.