Blotter

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Object Name: 
Blotter
Accession Number: 
96.4.185 A
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 1.6 cm, W: 48.4 cm, D: 38.2 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
1915-1935
Web Description: 
Production of fanciful desk accessories coincided with a flourishing culture of letter writing. The elegance of handwriting and the objects used became important indicators of character and social status. This matching set includes an inkwell, stamp boxes, pen tray, letter rack, and blotter, all to keep the furniture neat and tidy from ink stains.
Department: 
Provenance: 
From the Cutter's Wheel, Source
1996-10-08
Category: 
Primary Description: 
Blotter. (a) Colorless lead glass, fabric, cardboard, metal screws; blown, cut, engraved. Four triangular glass pieces, with a stepped top surface, the upper portion cut with closely-spaced parallel lines centering on a polished oval engraved with a crossed torch, bow and quiver, a helmet and flowers, and ribbons, with a scroll on each side; the lower portion cut on the underside in a fine diamond pattern. Glass pieces attached to a fabric-covered cardboard blotter (a modern replacement) with three metal screws in each corner. (b) Original rectangular blotter with a cardboard core, covered on both sides with black, hard-surface fabric with a layer of thicker fabric for padding on underside.
Recent Important Acquisitions, 39 (1997) illustrated, pp. 182-183, #48; BIB# AI5243
The Corning Museum of Glass Annual Report 1996 (1997) illustrated, p. 12, p. 17; BIB# AI95179