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.
The art of calligraphy is one of the most
celebrated Islamic art forms. Glass inkwells were
apparently valued because they were easy to
clean and even metal inkwells sometimes had
glass vessels placed inside them to hold the ink.
The majority of surviving glass inkwells are
undecorated so the use of the honeycomb
pattern suggests that this was a highly prized
object. Although there is some damage to one of
the suspension loops, the piece is in good overall
condition. Over the centuries it has acquired a
pearly-white patina with flecks of golden
irridescence, howver the original pale green is
still visible in some areas. When one imagines
this piece functioning in an ancient scriptoria,
where scribes were engaged in manuscript
production, its becomes even more fascinating.
(AM)
For comparable pieces see, 'Glass From Islamic
Lands: The Al-Sabah Collection,' (2001), pp.
142-143.
