This small, cylindrical “penny ink” bottle is made of ceramic with a salt-glazed finish, giving it a slightly glossy, textured surface. Likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, it was found near A Division at Pentridge Prison.

This design of ink bottle was commonly referred to as a “penny ink well” because it was very inexpensive to produce, making it affordable for widespread use. They were a common sight in schools, offices, and prisons. The writer would dip a pen or quill into the bottle to load it with ink before continuing to write, making it a practical tool for correspondence, record-keeping, and official documents.

Date of creation: between 1880 and 1910.

Excavated in 2025.

Held in private collection.