Thumbprint Cut Crystal Inkwell

This heavy-walled, pattern-molded crystal inkwell has a hinged brass collar and a matching faceted glass lid.

Description

• Body and Lid: The heavy glass base and matching hinged lid are decorated with an all-over raised thumbprint pattern.
• Underside (Base): The bottom of the inkwell features a deep, multi-rayed starburst cut design.
• Collar and Lid Mechanism: The inkwell is fitted with a metal collar featuring a secure hinged lid mechanism, which opens to reveal the inner collar neck. The top of the lid repeats the radial, sunburst pattern seen on the base.

Age, Maker, and Origin

Heavy pressed and cut-glass inkwells styled with deep thumbprints, hobstars, and brass collars were popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, specifically spanning from the late 19th century to around 1910.

While exact attributions for unmarked pressed-glass inkwells is challenging because numerous glasshouses in both Great Britain (such as Thomas Webb & Sons or Birmingham makers) and the United States (such as Dorflinger, Libbey, or the various factories in the Pennsylvania and Ohio valleys) produced similar high-end desk accessories, this piece exhibits strong characteristics of British or American brilliant-period cut and pressed glass. The combination of heavy lead crystal, crisp wheel-cut starbursts on the base, and brass-mounted hinged hardware points directly to the height of luxury in the 1880–1905 window.