Inkstand

Art Historical Context

This delicate inkstand, crafted between 1800 and 1900 by an unknown American artisan, exemplifies the ingenuity of early 19th-century decorative arts Measuring just over 5 inches high and 8 inches wide, it features lacy pressed blue glass—a technique pioneered in the United States around the 1820s, where molten glass was pressed into intricate molds to create fine, lace-like patterns. The vibrant cobalt blue hue, combined with functional pewter elements like a lid or fittings, made it both a practical writing accessory and a charming table ornament for middle-class homes. Lacy pressed glass, ...