Cast iron stand with glass inkwell that rotates to dip you nib. circa 1880
(roughly 1870 to 1890) at the height of the Victorian era.
Revolving inkwells such as these pictured are usually referred to as “snails” by collectors because the inkwells have the appearance of snail shells. One opens or closes the glass snail by hand. The glass reservoir (snail) is “slotted” allowing for movement around the pivots (knobs). When not in use, the trumpet-shaped end closes around a stopple plate (round metal cast disc). This inkstand’s structure incorporates Albert Judd’s patent US000221965 (November 25, 1879).