Roycroft Inkwell – Brass Wash Finish

Description

This is a nice example of a Roycroft hammered copper inkwell—a signature piece of the American Arts and Crafts movement. It features a classic cone-shaped body with a distinct, hand-hammered surface. The piece is accompanied by its original, matching hammered lid topped with a solid knob finial, and houses its correct clear glass insert.

While this model is encountered in the darker, chemically patinated “Aurora Brown” finish (See: Roycroft Inkwell – Aurora Brown Finish – The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC), this specific example showcases the desirable brass wash finish. Instead of the deep brown tones produced by ammonia fumes, this variation features a thin layer of brass electroplated or “washed” over the structural hammered copper body. The resulting finish gives the piece a glowing, golden-yellow brass appearance, while allowing the subtle warmth and character of the underlying copper to peek through where the wash naturally thins or ages. The underside has the iconic Roycroft orb and cross mark.