Inkstand
Not on view
Known in the eighteenth century as “ink standishes,” inkstands were a common desk accessory. This example features a compartment for a glass inkpot with a bell cover and four spaces for quills, which were frequently made from goose feathers. The two drawers beneath provided storage for seals and pounce, a dry substance used for drying ink and preparing paper. This inkstand was designed to contain all of the necessary tools for writing, which made it easily transportable. A rare survival in pewter, it is unusual for its compact design and cube shape.
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