The history of ink and inkwells began around the same time when papyrus and parchment were invented. The earliest ink discovered during the excavations of Herculaneum consisted of a mixture of soot and oil.

Over the centuries, a variety of objects served as inkwells: hollow horns fixed in the hole of the countertop, bowls, and pharmacy bottles. But often inkwells were made purposefully and were genuine works of art. Artists, casters, sculptors and jewelers worked on their design, creating all kinds of shapes of jars, vials and small bottles. Later, the problem of creating reliable screw lids became rather acute, so there even were patents for inkwells.

Desktop writing utensils were not only used as stationery, but also served as decorative items: the set, in addition to a pen, inkwell and sandbox, included blotting paper, sealing wax, paper knives and instruments for grinding down nibs, candlesticks and other items. Travel kits were placed in a tightly closed box.

The presented artifact is a traveling inkwell: the vessel was attached by the “ears” with a chain to the belt, and the scribe or priest could carry ink with him, with his hands free. The fastening system prevented the inkwell from turning over. The compact vessel itself could be simply held in the palm of one’s hand if necessary.

Silver, bronze or, as in this case, a copper alloy was used for the manufacture of such inkwells.

The inkwell is decorated in the “animal style”, which was popular in Russia in the 16th and 17th centuries. The depiction of a battle between a lion and a unicorn was also quite common. The “lion”, or in fact a griffin — a hybrid of a lion and an eagle — was seen as a symbol of speed and strength, that, according to some beliefs, guarded treasures. In mythological stories, just like the elephant, it is an ancient opponent of the unicorn.

The unicorn, a symbol of purity and innocence, occupies an important place in Christian symbolism, simultaneously acting as an emblem of the Virgin and Christ. According to religious interpretations, the horn symbolizes the instrument used by the Savior to absolve people of their sins.

The floral (curved shoots, tulip-shaped flowers, rosettes with five petals), zoomorphic and anthropomorphic motifs are characteristic of Russian art of the 17th and 18th centuries. They were actively used not only by casters, but also by woodworkers, lubok artists and masters that created artworks with mica.