Roycroft Inkwell – Unusual Shape

This hand-hammered copper inkwell from the Roycroft Shop features a compressed squat form that steps up to a heavy, dome-shaped lid topped with a spherical finial.

The piece features a dimpled, hand-hammered surface texturing with a rich, dark brown patina characteristic of early Arts and Crafts copper work. It retains its original clear glass insert.

Analyzing the Maker’s Mark

This piece features an early mark.

Here is the breakdown of why this is classified as an early mark:

• The Curled Tail on the “R”: The single most definitive trait of an early Roycroft metalwork stamp is the distinct, elegant curl at the end of the “R”‘s tail and its top left terminal.
• Absence of Text: Middle and late period marks (generally beginning around 1920) transitioned to a straight-tailed “R” and frequently added the word “Roycroft” incised directly underneath the orb-and-cross logo. This mark consists strictly of the classic orb, cross, and stylized “R”.

The unusual shape makes it a highly desirable example of classic East Aurora craftsmanship.