Inkwell Glass Part - Pat'd 1894

I found this inkwell today, which I am going to guess was part of a set and is now missing the lid and the base. The lid is obvious, but it also has an shallow, unpolished edge around the bottom. It is a pale violet and has Pat'd US July 17 ENG April 14 1894 impressed into the bottom. The edges are beveled, and it is quite heavy at 1 pound and .68 ounces. It is 3 inches on all sides and 2 inches high. The opening is large with a 2 1/2 inch diameter. It has a smidge of ink in the bottom. I know this is just a fragment of something from the past, but I was hoping someone might recognize it. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

Is the neck threaded for a screw cap? Looks like an ink bottle rather than an inkwell.

 

Yes, it's threaded. But don't you think it is kind of heavy for a bottle? And it doesn't have a spout.

 

Think it functions like an inkwell if you're using a dip pen. It wants to be squat & heavy so you have no chance of knocking it over & little of knocking it off the desk. You can see how much ink remains & how far to dip your pen.

Bottles for expensive ink are constructed in a similar way, thick walls, large base relative to height. This one is a desk accessory as much as a container. Maybe meant to be refilled. Wonder if the cap was silver? I don't think it's missing anything else, although may have set on a tray with pen holder. I find it striking in its simplicity & solidity.

 

Thank you so much for your analysis of this piece. I was enamored with it initially as a piece of glass and then I saw the date. I know nothing about inkwells and I appreciate you sharing your detailed knowledge of such things. I would think silver may be right. I could search for one.

 

That's it. Thank you so much. @Bronwen you were right silver.

 

Remember, date of patent is not necessarily date of manufacture.

 

That's wonderful. I hadn't thought to use this as a search term. Thank you

 

Excellent! INH does it again.

 

Got it.

 

She sure did! @i need help is terrific!

 

Thanks so much. The link was broken for me too, but the picture confirms that there was a silver collar.

 

I saw that too and it made me smile. Could just be a spell check thing. I did some searching using that term you recommended and was going down a rabbit hole of inkwells. But I agree with you, I like it for its heavy older glass chunky quality. It's already up on the window sill with other small treasures.