Historical information

This metal ink jug or can, was used to dispense portions of ink to individual inkwells contained on the top of each pupil's desk. The jug is not unlike a small indoor watering can. The ink would be supplied to schools in large glass or stoneware bottles, and these would have been too unwieldy and difficult to use to pour ink into the small inkwells. Therefore it was decanted into the metal ink jugs and then poured into the inkwells.

Significance

After a child was deemed old enough to progress from just using slate and board, he/she would have been supplied with a pen shaft made of wood and with a very basic metal nib. The ink jug would be used to fill up the individual inkwells. This operation would have been conducted by the teacher him/herself, or by an older pupil under the close eye of the teacher.

Physical description

Ink jug metal black with long spout & metal handle.

Inscriptions & markings

None.