Islamic Glass Inkwell - SF.293, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.75" (7.0cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Blown/Cut/Applied, Medium: Glass. This pale green vessel was probably used as an inkwell by an ancient scribe. The irregular cylindrical body is decorated with a shallow cut honeycomb pattern. Four suspension loops have been applied to the upper part of the body and are joined to the wide flat rim of the opening. It has been suggested that these were used to suspend the inkwell from the left wrist or belt of the scribe. The size and wall thickness of this vessel make it more likely that it was hung from a wall or niche. It is possible that there was once a cylindrical tube suspended in the centre of this vessel to contain the ink or it may have been poured directly into the main body. The pontil mark is visible on the underside of the base.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East