Whitefriars Glass Magnum Millefiori Inkwell Paperweight

1920s English Art Glass Inkwell and Paperweight with Sliced Cane Decor

Made by one of England’s oldest and finest glassmakers called ‘Whitefriars’. First established by Carmelite Monks knowns as ‘White Friars’ in the 1600s, and finally closing its doors in the 1980s.This beautiful relic was made in the 1920s to 1930s by the Walsh Walsh or Arculus studios (part of Whitefriars). It is a large sized inkwell that has been used as such. There is a small stress mark on the bottom of the stopper’s insert (the part which goes inside the bottle), which can’t be seen and must be studied to detect. The ‘well’ has contained liquids in the past and has a light whispy film of liquid residue that will not clean off. Neither of these affect the integrity or the beauty of the glass. Only light bottom-wear, unusual as we would expect to see more bottom-wear on such a heavy piece. Overall outer appearance is excellent.

Completely hand-made. Heavy blown glass with a polished base. The decor was accomplished by hand-arranging small canes (millefiori) and encasing them within the colorless glass. The concentric millefiori decor is just above the base and near the top of the stopper. An optical illusion causes the millefiori to be seen at the base of the inner well, but this is just a reflection, and a very nice one too. The skilled glass artist has inserted tiny air-bubbles, also in a concentric pattern, between the canes. The stopper was made to fit, and with a turn will settle in and provide a good seal.Weighs 4.25 lbs. Measures 6.25″ tall on a 4.5″ base. It is 5″ at widest with a total widest girth of 15″.

Stunning. A great and unusual gift for the paperweight or inkwell collector. Whitefriars glass is highly prized by glass collectors of all kinds. Would be a great focal point for vanity or desk decor. Can also double as a precious liquid decanter.