Early Carved and Dated
Soapstone Inkwell 

Probably New England, ca. 1785.
Soapstone, with a square-molded base topped by a spiral-fluted dome surrounding the ink reservoir. The date 1785, likely indicating the year of its making, is engraved on one side; later dates “1861” and “1870” appear also. These inscriptions document a history of use approaching a century from just after the Revolution to post Civil War.

The cork stopper is of good age. The inkwell is surprisingly weighty in-hand given its diminutive size of 2 x 2 1/8 inches at the base x 1 5/8 inches height. Provenance: New York State collection.