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19th Century C.E.
These brass or bronze cases used by scribes (i.e.) secretaries in early times.
As you can see the writer's inkhorn is made up of two attached parts. The long tube was used to carry reed pens. The smaller lided bowl was used to carry dry ink. A small bottle of water was also carried by the scribe to reconstitue the dried ink in preparation for writing. The pens used were made up of sharpened hollow reeds. A knife was used to cut new points or sharpen dull ones.
The ink used was made from root and gum. Papyrus was the paper of the day. Scribes were employed at palaces for official correspondence or some scribes would write letter for the illiterate population for a fee.

Š2001-2002 Museum of Biblical World

Collections > Writing Instruments > Writer's Ink Horn	< Previous \| Next >


19th Century C.E. These brass or bronze cases used by scribes (i.e.) secretaries in early times. As you can see the writer's inkhorn is made up of two attached parts. The long tube was used to carry reed pens. The smaller lided bowl was used to carry dry ink. A small bottle of water was also carried by the scribe to reconstitue the dried ink in preparation for writing. The pens used were made up of sharpened hollow reeds. A knife was used to cut new points or sharpen dull ones. The ink used was made from root and gum. Papyrus was the paper of the day. Scribes were employed at palaces for official correspondence or some scribes would write letter for the illiterate population for a fee.