Science and Art of Calligraphy and Painting

Author(s): S Andhare
Publisher: Indian National Science Academy

Page 69

www.kobaith.org
37 Khadiya: of Mashibhajan = Ink pot care
Since ink is prepared with great care using special and expensive ingradients, it is essential for storing it in ink pots for long time. We are ignorent about the shape, size and material of the inkpots in early period but it is certain that inkpots must have existed earlier. However, from the 17th centyry onwards we come across a variety of ink containers as objects of decorative arts along with the kalamdans refered earlier. By and large inkpots were made of metal (brass) and were turned on the lathe by the Tambats (those who make brass and copper utensils at Nasik in Maharashtra) and the Kansaras of Gujarat Inkpots made of glass and crystal came from the European countries atleast from the 17th centuy onwards. Exquisite kalamdans coupled with inkpots were made in the Northwest Fronteer Provinces out of pure steel damascened with gold. Gujarati Khadiyas are made in beautiful temple shaped designs in brass, while Kapadvanj in Gujarat produced such items in glass and porcelain. With the advance of technology all over, plastic and other materials have dominated the field, giving rise to fountain pens, ball pens, and many other types of pens for writing
Types of inkwells