INKWELLS - all materials.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Since the Egyptians invented paper - some 5000 years ago - using the Papyrus plant , there has been ink to write with.

Often originally a mixture of soot - present day ink is very sophisticated and most people use throwaway ball points. However,

the collecting of old inkwells is a big field , and ranges from silver, to ceramic and different types of metal

I will start this new section with a very rare example - later we can follow with other examples and hopefully, members will

be able to add .

The one shown here is of good quality silver plate, but has no maker's mark. Remarkably, it represents part of the Crown Jewels -

the ORB. The Sovereign carries this in full regalia and when wearing the Crown. I suspect it was made to commemorate the

Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The top turns within itself to open the inkwell.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-83377200-1374673826.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-95955800-1374673949.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

These are the Crown Jewels - the ORB is on the right.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-69723200-1374674357.jpgclick

[Brian Wolfe]

An interesting artifact, thanks for sharing it with the membership.

Regards

Brian

[Christophe]

Mervyn,

Very interesting post.

Hoping more new developments.

Thanks and cheers.

Ch.