Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Ink Bottle, c. 1900-1910 |
Object Name |
Bottle, Ink |
Description |
Ink Bottle, c. 1900-1910. This square or rectangular bottle is made out of clear see through glass. The edges are rounded and each side has a bulge in the shape of an arch. The finish can be described as a wide prescription or flared finish. The bottle comes with a cork as a closure but there is no label or inscription. |
Date |
c. 1900-1910 |
Catalog Number |
2019.002.012 |
Collection |
3D - Written Communication Tools & Equipment |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Inscription Text |
none |
Provenance |
Part of 4+ boxes of archaeological material recovered from the Morgan Oyster Beds on Bear Island in Belmont, CA. |
Notes |
"As a general statement, ink bottles (and inkwells) were designed for stability while being used to fill a pen or dip a quill. Although there is no universally accepted size cut-off point, generally speaking the majority of ink bottles hold 3 or 4 ounces of ink or less, typically about 2 ounces. There was a immense variety of different small ink bottle made. This was probably due to there being a demand for ink bottles that were esthetically pleasing since they usually "...remained out on the writing table in plain sight" (Munsey 1970)." [https://sha.org/bottle/household.htm#Small%20ink%20bottles 04/29/2019] Square ink bottles first appeared in any quantities around the time of the American Civil War, after cylindrical inks were well established; square pontiled ink bottles are very unusual. (Note: Square inkwells appeared earlier with some of the first American made examples [pattern molded] reportedly produced by the Pitkin Glass Works (East Hartford, CN.) around 1810 to 1820 [Covill 1971; McKearin & Wilson 1978; Buckley 1985].) Later ink bottles (late 19th century through most of the 20th) were commonly made with square bodies, rivaling cylindrical shapes in popularity." [https://sha.org/bottle/household.htm#Square/rectangular 04/29/2019] |
Dimensions |
H-2 W-1.5 D-0.5 inches |
Search Terms |
Archaeolgy Archaeological Material Archaeological Materials Bottles Glass Glassware Morgan Oyster Company Writing Accessories Writing Utensils |
Subjects |
Bottle industry Bottles Bottles Glass fiber industry Glassware Writing materials |
Credit line |
Courtesy of John Shroyer |