Description: A nice glazed redware desktop inkwell. The inkwell has a round flat base with rising sides that are leaning slightly inwards ending at a shoulder having a slight raised edge and a dip with three small holes. The shoulder supports a short neck having a formed top with a central hole. The central hole is the ink well and the shoulder is equipped with three holes to store quills. The piece is glazed and has and orangish-brown coloring. The edge of the shoulder is decorated with a fine line of small indentations which are very well done and look great. The sides of the inkwell also has lightly incised parallel lines near the shoulder and the base. The bottom of the piece is unglazed and shows the colors of unglazed redware. It also has the artist signature and the date. The piece is well done and in very good condition with general over all crazing to the glaze. It has no chips, cracks pr repairs. The piece has several normal defects you would expect in a piece of primitive folk pottery of this type. A beautiful piece of redware which would make a great addition to your collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1988.
Origin: Was purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Dorthy Long was a potter who worked in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.
Size: measures ~3 3/4" diameter at the base, ~3 7/8" diameter at the edge of the shoulder, the mouth of the inkwell is ~1" in diameter on the outside and slopes inwards to ~1/2" diameter opening on the inside. The piece is ~2 3/16" high and weighs about 10.3 ounces.
Maker: Dorothy Long.
Marks: Signed D. Long 1988 on the bottom.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: A nice looking redware inkwell, which would display nicely in any collection of antique/vintage redware.
Condition: The inkwell is in very good condition. It has no cracks, repairs, or hairlines. It is solid and intact and displays a nice shape and coloring. It does have general overall crazing to the glaze. It also has several normal defects you would expect in a piece of primitive folk pottery of this type, such as pops, slubs, uneven surfaces, roughness to the surface, and spots where it is not completely covered by the glaze. This particular piece has a minimum number of such defects and we are mentioning it here for completeness. A very nice piece in very good condition worthy of a spot in your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.