Senate Ink Company Barrel Ink Bottle

Overview & Form

This is an exceptional example of a late 19th-century figural ink bottle molded in a traditional American barrel form. The body features distinct, raised molded bands simulating authentic barrel staves and hoops.

Glass Character & Manufacturing Crude

The bottle is a testament to early glass manufacturing, showing a wonderful level of “crudeness”.

• Texture: The glass features numerous prominent glass folds, stretch marks, and swirling patterns, particularly concentrated around the neck and the base area.
• Color: It is blown in a rich, vibrant, and beautifully clear aqua coloration.
• Lip & Base: The neck is topped with a distinctively crude, tooled lip that remains free of structural issues. The bottle sits on a smooth, unmarked base.

Condition & Embossing

• Embossing: The mold is incredibly crisp and strong. The face of the barrel is sharply embossed with:

1. I. COMP

• Condition: Near Mint. The bottle is entirely free of chips, cracks, scratches, scuffs, or interior stains, and remains completely unaltered. The only sign of age is some localized, spotty heavy outer wear restricted entirely to one side of the base’s edge.
• Estimated Era: Circa 1870s.