Details
Humble ink well forms a vital part in the chain of events that have allowed us to gain a rich and intimate knowledge of the Roman people through written words. From the writings of Pliny the Elder to personal letters discovered at Vindolanda Roman Fort, these firsthand accounts of life in the Roman era form a vital part of our understanding of these ancient people.
This replica Roman inkwell is based on finds from various sites across the vast Roman empire, and examples of similar ink wells make up part of the collection at the British Museum.
The large hole in the centre would have been used to fill the well with ink. Whilst the three smaller holes were used to hold the pens when they were not in use, allowing any excess ink to drain back into the ink pot.
Production
This replica Roman pot has been hand made in Northumberland by Potted History, based on an original artefact. It has been fired to a temperature of between 800 & 1000 Centigrade, to emulate the same techniques that the original potters would have employed nearly two thousand years ago. This process often results in variations of the surface colour and texture, as is common with the original Roman Pottery and giving each piece it's unique character.
