“Sandwich Blue” Glass Double Inkstand

This double inkstand made in an eye-catching, vibrant medium blue glass, exhibits a beautiful balance of pressed geometric and organic forms.

The Inkstand Base

• Form & Structure: The stand features an elongated, stepped plateau designed with two dedicated circular recesses to hold the matching inkwells. The front of the stand extends into a wide, scalloped shell-form receiver, which traditionally served as a convenient well for holding dip pens or desk ephemera. The outer edges are finished with a crisp, multi-lobed shell motif.
• Underbase Detailing: True to the intricate mold work of the period, the underside of the base is adorned with a pattern of molded ribs and rays.
• Color & Finish: The glass boasts a brilliant, shiny, translucent medium blue hue. This specific vibrant, semi-opaque quality is characteristic of specialized colored glass formulas.

The Inkwells & Covers

• The Wells: Sitting perfectly within the plateau are two matching, low-profile circular inkwells. The glass wells are adorned with a repeating pressed design of stylized leaf segments around the body, tapering to a plain rim and base. Distinct, visible mold lines are present on each well, indicating the traditional pressed-glass manufacturing process.
• The Covers: Each inkwell is fitted with its original, heavy nickel-plated brass cover. The lids feature a domed, double-stepped profile topped with a classic spherical finial knob. The metal shows an authentic age patina with minor oxidation and tarnish, revealing a glimpse of the brass beneath the nickel plating.

Attribution & Era

• Maker: Boston & Sandwich Glass Company (Sandwich, Massachusetts)
• Period: Circa 1870–1880
• Significance: The Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. was legendary for its innovative pressed glass patterns and vivid color chemistry. This particular shade of translucent medium blue—often colloquially linked to variations of “Sandwich Blue”—combined with the crisp shell-and-rib mold details, makes it a prime example of high-quality New England glassmaking from the late 19th century.

For another example, see this Inkipedia entry: Blue Sandwich Glass Inkstand – The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC)