Inkstand
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This inkholder was probably made more for home than office use. It seeks attention with its silvery surface, and suggests a slightly adventurous taste on the part of its owner. The method of making double-walled silvered glass was complex and made more so by the introduction of coloured glass and cutting.
Materials & Making
The process of making double-walled silvered glass was patented by Edward Varnish and Frederick Hale Thompson in 1849. A number of glassworks, such as that of James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars, London, made the blanks. A vase or, as in this case, an inkholder shape, was formed, with the glass-blower stopping short of opening out the mouth. Instead, the top of the vase, still sealed as a bubble shape, was reheated and 'dropped' inwards to form a double-walled interior. This plain, undecorated object was then supplied to a retailer or dealer such as Lund, where it was filled between the walls from the foot end with a solution of silver nitrate and glucose (in the form of grape juice). The final stage was to seal the hole in the foot with a metal disc, in this example marked for Lund, who may have patented some further detail of the decoration or mount.
This inkholder was probably made more for home than office use. It seeks attention with its silvery surface, and suggests a slightly adventurous taste on the part of its owner. The method of making double-walled silvered glass was complex and made more so by the introduction of coloured glass and cutting.
Materials & Making
The process of making double-walled silvered glass was patented by Edward Varnish and Frederick Hale Thompson in 1849. A number of glassworks, such as that of James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars, London, made the blanks. A vase or, as in this case, an inkholder shape, was formed, with the glass-blower stopping short of opening out the mouth. Instead, the top of the vase, still sealed as a bubble shape, was reheated and 'dropped' inwards to form a double-walled interior. This plain, undecorated object was then supplied to a retailer or dealer such as Lund, where it was filled between the walls from the foot end with a solution of silver nitrate and glucose (in the form of grape juice). The final stage was to seal the hole in the foot with a metal disc, in this example marked for Lund, who may have patented some further detail of the decoration or mount.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silvered glass, with blue overlay; pewter cover |
| Brief description | [*] blue glass inkstand |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Mark 'W.LUND PATENT' on plug in base |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This effect was achieved by cutting through the blue layer of glass to show the contrasting silvered glass underneath. William Lund of Fleet Street, London was a family firm of retailers. Lund patented the technique, although they did not design or make this glass. Instead they commissioned it from a manufacturer.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Possibly made in London |
| Summary | Object Type This inkholder was probably made more for home than office use. It seeks attention with its silvery surface, and suggests a slightly adventurous taste on the part of its owner. The method of making double-walled silvered glass was complex and made more so by the introduction of coloured glass and cutting. Materials & Making The process of making double-walled silvered glass was patented by Edward Varnish and Frederick Hale Thompson in 1849. A number of glassworks, such as that of James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars, London, made the blanks. A vase or, as in this case, an inkholder shape, was formed, with the glass-blower stopping short of opening out the mouth. Instead, the top of the vase, still sealed as a bubble shape, was reheated and 'dropped' inwards to form a double-walled interior. This plain, undecorated object was then supplied to a retailer or dealer such as Lund, where it was filled between the walls from the foot end with a solution of silver nitrate and glucose (in the form of grape juice). The final stage was to seal the hole in the foot with a metal disc, in this example marked for Lund, who may have patented some further detail of the decoration or mount. |
| Other number | 0759 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.21&A-1961 |
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| Record created | June 3, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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