National Museums Scotland collections contain a huge variety of
objects and specimens. We want to encourage wider
engagement with the collections and increase opportunities for them
to be seen in new venues by new audiences. The inkwells shown here
are all available for long or short term loan.
The art of writing
Inkwells were widely used from the Middle Ages to the middle of
the 20th century, before the development of the fountain pen and
eventually the ball-point pen made them obsolete. Throughout their
history inkwells were made from many materials, but here are a
selection of European glass and ceramic examples. Ordinary folk
would have dipped their pens into the ink bottle, but the wealthy
could purchase inkwells to show off their status or interests.
Today we often text or e-mail to communicate with each other, but
these inkwells represent a time when communication was perhaps
slower, but the trappings more beautiful.
Find out how to
request a loan and see other collections available here.