Inkwell

An inkwell is a small jar or container, often made of glass, porcelain, silver, brass, or pewter, used for holding ink in a place convenient for the person who is writing.

An inkwell usually has a lid to prevent contamination, evaporation, accidental spillage, and excessive exposure to air.

The inkwell's origins may be traced back to Ancient Egypt where scribes would write on papyrus.

Only scribes knew the full array of hieroglyphs and would write on the behalf of their employers, usually the pharaoh.

After Rome invaded Egypt, inkwells became more popular in Italy as a larger percentage of the population were capable of writing.