Inkwell

Art Historical Context

This charming inkwell, crafted around 1750 in Mexico, exemplifies the vibrant tradition of tin-glazed earthen during the Spanish colonial era. Measuring just 4 inches in diameter, this compact utilitarian object would have served writers and scribes in households or offices, holding ink for quills amid the bustling trade and administration of New Spain. Its presence in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing highlights the interconnected worlds of colonial Americas, where Mexican ceramics influenced decorative arts across regions. The medium—tin-glazed earthenware, also known as majoli...