Object Number 2006.0010.018

Object Name

Inkwell

Category

Glass

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Eva L. Verplanck

Creator (Role)

John and Isaac Elijah Moore (Maker)

Place of Origin

New England, United States, North America

Date

1865-1875

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Top; Molded relief "PATENTo OCT[OBER?] 1ST 1865"
2. Mark; Facets; Molded relief "J & IEM"
3. Mark; Underside; Molded relief "5"

Subjects

Archaeological evidence for similar (America); African American; Slavery

Materials

Glass (nonlead)

Techniques

Mold-blown

Dimensions (inches)

1.614 (H) , 2.25 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

4.1 (H) , 5.715 (Diam)

Object Description

Web - 02/09/2021

This form of inkwell commonly is referred to by collectors via terms that reflect such vessels' appearance: turtle ink (or inkwell). igloo inkwel, or Monitor inkwell, supposedly named the shape similarity to the gun turret of the Civil War Naval ship USS Monitor.

The Winterthur inkwell was unearthed in the twentieth century in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where it was found in the yard of the donor. A nearly identical example was excavated in Virginia by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, at the site of the nineteenth-century First Baptist Church. As per the Foundation, "Colonial Williamsburg has partnered with the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg and the Let Freedom Ring Foundation to locate the remains of the Nassau Street site of the First Baptist Church. The First Baptist Church of Williamsburg is one of the country’s earliest African American congregations and was founded by free and enslaved Black worshippers."

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Catalogue] Norman C. Heckler & Company Sale Catalogue. Norman C. Heckler & Company Sale Catalogue.
• Similarly marked cobalt blue example: September 21-30, 2015 sale, lot 69, 1860-75
[Catalogue] Norman C. Heckler & Company Sale Catalogue. Norman C. Heckler & Company Sale Catalogue.
• Similarly marked colorless example: Sept 5-14, 2016 sale (auction 141), lot 76, America, 1860-75. "Extremely rare and unusual color. Called the Monitor in a recently found J & IEM manufacturer's catalog."