Inkwell of opaque black glass, moulded bell-shape with well sunk through upright collar, decorated with head of General Gordon and two shields containing inscriptions

Green faience double inkwell, consisting of a rectangular slab with two depressions in the form of shen-rings, meaning 'eternity': Ancient Egyptian, Late Period, c.664 -332 BC

Inkwell of translucent yellowish glass with iriscedent surface; a tube with flattened circular rim inserted into the cylindrical vessel to prevent the ink from splashing; rounded shoulder with four looped trails; base flat: Middle East, Iran, 9th-11th century

Inkwell of silver-gilt, rectangular with a key-screw cover, from the nécessaire de voyage or travelling service assembled by Martin-Guillaume Biennais for Napoleon's sister, the Princess Pauline Borghese, possibly at the time of her marriage to Prince Camillo Borghese in 1803: French, Paris, probably 1798 - 1809, bequeathed to Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, in 1825

Glass inkwell from a silver and enamel writing casket designed by Phoebe Traquair: Scottish, Edinburgh, 1927 - 1928

Jar of semi-translucent blue glass, with cylindrical body, possibly an inkwell: Ancient Mediterranean, Roman period, 1st to 2nd century AD

Circular inkwell of porcelain printed and painted with plumbs in various colours on a white ground, one of an inkwell, ink pot and cover made in imitation of Sevres porcelain: French, Paris, possibly by Samson and Co., late 19th century

Cover, one of an inkwell, ink pot and cover made in imitation of Sevres porcelain: French, Paris, possibly by Samson and Co., late 19th century

Square inkwell of earthenware painted with a dog, birds, foliage and yellow, green and brown stripes on a white ground, one of an inkwell and cover: possibly Spanish, 19th century

Square cover of earthenware painted with a dog, birds, foliage and yellow, green and brown stripes on a white ground, one of an inkwell and cover: possibly Spanish, 19th century

Square inkwell of earthenware painted with green stylised floral decoration on a white ground, one of an inkwell, ink pot and cover: French, Noirmoutier, early 20th century

Cover of earthenware for an inkwell painted with green stylised floral decoration, one of an inkwell, ink pot and cover: French, Noirmoutier, early 20th century

Circular ink well of earthenware printed with a raised design in blue, red and gilt on a white ground, one of an inkwell, ink pot and cover: English, Newcastle upon Tyne, by C.T. Maling and Sons Ltd, c. 1924 - 1939

Inkwell cover of earthenware, one of an inkwell, printed with a raised blue, red and gilt design, ink pot and cover: English, Newcastle upon Tyne, by C.T. Maling and Sons Ltd, c. 1924 - 1939

Inkwell of earthenware printed with flowers, buds and stems and bands of ornament at the rim and the base in in various colours: English, Newcastle upon Tyne, C.T. Mailing and Sons Ltd, c. 1908 - 1924

Inkwell of earthenware painted with a stylised floral and geometric design in green, blue, yellow, red and purple, one of an inkwell, ink pot and cover: possibly the Netherlands, Gouda, early 1920s