Tiffany & Co. Traveling Inkwell

This piece is a classic early 20th-century sterling silver pocket/traveling inkwell, engineered for travelers who required a leak-proof, portable way to carry ink.

1. Tiffany & Co.

The stamping on the silver lip directly underneath the hinged lid confirms its authenticity:

TIFFANY & CO. MAKERS STERLING

The term “MAKERS” was used by Tiffany & Co. to designate items manufactured directly in-house at their silver workshops (rather than items imported or outsourced).

2. When Was It Made?

• Date Range: Circa 1890s – 1910s.
• Context: During this era, travel accessories like pocket inkwells, sovereign cases, and vesta (match) boxes were popular luxury status symbols. Tiffany created streamlined, dense silver casings with spring-loaded mechanisms to withstand the rigors of travel without leaking.

3. Parts & Mechanical Design

The inkwell uses a clever two-piece locking mechanism and a spring-assisted latch to ensure it remains airtight and tightly sealed when closed.

Key Components

• Outer Protective Sleeve: A rectangular sterling silver sheath featuring cutout windows.
• Inner Body & Reservoir Casing: A heavy sterling silver box with rounded corners that slides snugly inside the outer sleeve.
• Spring-Loaded Push Button: A rounded dome button on the front of the inner body that releases the spring catch on the top lid.
• Hinged Top Lid: A sturdy lid attached via a five-segment knuckle hinge.
• Interior Leather/Rubber Gasket: Mounted into the underside of the lid (showing historical wear/tarnish). When closed, this gasket presses firmly against the rim of the glass bottle to form a liquid-tight seal.
• Clear Glass Reservoir: A heavy, clear glass bottle with a square base and a smooth round collar rim that fits precisely inside the silver well.

4. How It Works
5. Unlocking the Body: The outer protective sleeve acts as a secondary safety guard. Sliding the inner body out of the sleeve exposes the release button and hinge.
6. Opening the Lid: Pressing the rounded push button on the front releases the internal latch spring, causing the hinged cap to pop open.
7. Removing the Reservoir: The glass bottle rests loosely inside the silver frame so it can be removed easily for cleaning or refilling without soiling the silver housing.
8. The Leak-Proof Seal: When closed, the lid’s spring latch forces the fitted stopper/gasket down onto the ground mouth of the glass reservoir, maintaining a tight, pressurized seal that prevents ink from escaping while in transit.