From a writer's point-of-view, the dipping fount and the ink reservoir (or cistern) probably comprised the important distinguishable parts of an inkstand. However, as shown in the illustrations on this page and others, there are additional parts of interest that together constitute the ink flow path or ink path common to most inkstands. The schematic cross-section of the Barometric Inkstand illustrated to the right is a good example of the major parts. The Reservoir or Cistern is the volume of the inkstand reserved for retaining the majority of the supply of ink. The Fount or Dipping Cup is the portion of the inkstand used to dispense the ink to a pen. The reservoir and the fount are connected together by an opening or conduit called the Aperture. The opening for accessing the ink in the fount with the pen or quill is the Orifice. The orifice is usually provided with some means of occluding the orifice to minimize evaporation and air-born dust contamination. This occluding mechanism is generically called a Stopple. The term stopple is intended to include all of the various terms such as "lid", "cap", "stopper", "cork", as well as orifice occlusion schemes that are more complicated than these.
The Direct Dip inkstand pictured here illustrates how the reservoir, aperture, and fount of the direct dip inkstand are collapsed into the same volume. This minimization of parts and consequent ease and economy of production and use have made the direct dip inkstand the most familiar to the majority of people.
The schematic cross-section of a revolving inkstand, or "snail", shown here provides an example of a more complicated stopple - here the orifice is rotated about until it rests against the stopple plate. Note that the attachment of the fount to the reservoir in this case results in a large aperture between them. The Corbel is the portion of the revolving reservoir that rests on the base plate when the inkstand is in use. |
