William Jennings Bryan (?) Inkwell

This inkwell is a detailed spelter bust of a balding man’s head. The figure has a large, prominent forehead, a confident expression, and a distinctive crooked smile that lifts on his right side. His eyes are fixed to the left. The bust is mounted on a simple, round, dark base. The head is hinged and lifts to reveal an interior inkwell.

Identity: William Jennings Bryan

This inkwell is likely a representation of William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925).

The features on the bust—the balding head, the confident expression, and especially the unmistakable crooked smile—are a perfect match for how Bryan was portrayed in contemporary photographs and political caricatures. Bryan’s smile and distinctive oratorical style were his trademarks, and artists of the period frequently captured these features in memorabilia, both celebratory and satirical.

Biography of William Jennings Bryan

William Jennings Bryan was a prominent American politician and one of the most famous orators in U.S. history.

• Political Career: A Democrat from Nebraska, he was a three-time presidential nominee (1896, 1900, and 1908). He never won the presidency, but he had a profound impact on American politics. He was a champion of the “common man” and the working class, and his populist message was centered on issues like bimetallism (the use of both gold and silver as currency) and opposing big business.
• “Cross of Gold” Speech: His legacy is most famously tied to his electrifying 1896 speech, known as the “Cross of Gold” speech, in which he passionately advocated for bimetallism. This speech catapulted him to national prominence and secured his first nomination.
• Later Life: Bryan served as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915. In his later years, he became a strong advocate for Christian fundamentalism and is best known for his role in the Scopes “Monkey” Trial of 1925, where he served as a prosecutor in a case against a high school teacher for teaching evolution.

For more information about William Jennings Bryan: William Jennings Bryan – Wikipedia

See also this Inkipedia entry: A Man and His Best Friend – The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC)