Umbrella Ink Bottle

This 8-sided umbrella ink bottle is a nice example of a utilitarian antique ink bottle from the mid-19th century. It is made of a greenish-olive glass, a color. The bottle’s short, squat shape with wide-angled facets gives it stability.

A distinctive feature is the open pontil on the base. This is a rough, jagged scar left where the pontil rod, used by the glassblower to hold the bottle during shaping, was broken off. The presence of an open pontil is a clear indication of a hand-blown bottle and places its age before the widespread use of snap-case tools in the late 19th century, which would have left a smoother base.

Historical Context

• Age: The design, material (greenish-olive glass), and the open pontil mark are all consistent with a date in the 1850s. This places the bottle in a period just before the Civil War, when mass production techniques were still developing.
• Origin: This style of bottle was commonly made in the United States. Glassmaking was a major industry in New England, and these simple, functional bottles were a staple of American life.

Purpose: The umbrella shape was specifically designed to be easy to use and stable. Its wide mouth would have accommodated a quill or a dip pen, while the small body held a practical amount of ink for a home or office.