Cristalerias Rigolleau Argentina Blossom Amber Covered Inkwell

I purchased this sweet inkwell during the February 11, 2017 Tampa Bay convention auction featuring the Gary & Sharon Vandevander collection.

This amber inkwell is the only one reported of its kind so far. It's from Argentina, South America and you can see in the photos it's marked on its lower side with the maker's name, "Cristalerias Rigolleau SA". 

It's pristine and complete with its removable cover. The beautiful pattern and iridescence combined makes it a gem of a piece. It's only five inches wide and two inches tall with its cover in place.

When Gary owned it he had it listed on Showcase under his collection page as amber in base color. Then, when the auction brochure came out, it was listed as amethyst. When I received it in hand, I held it to the light and it was definitely amber....amber as can be like a beer bottle. At first glance, one would assume it was purple, an easy mistake to make. Besides, amber is not a commonly known color of Carnival glass found in South America but Cristalerias Rigolleau did make another amber glass item. It was the Beetle Ashtray, (also produced in marigold and blue) which has a great mention on the Thistlewoods website here on Carnival Glass Worldwide.

Ever since I saw the photo of it I was smitten. I dreamed of owning it. I thought it was an inkwell that held a full body of ink, like a round, low bottle, but I was wrong. When I turned to see the bottom, it was as if I were holding a bowl with a center knob rising from the middle. Yes, it is concave with a very small well for ink.

At that very moment, my brain was telling me that what I was actually holding was a very low profile glass candle holder. This inkwell is true to my idea that the makers of Carnival Glass from Argentina designed items to be used for more than one purpose. This inkwell does double as a candle holder when the cover is removed. It fits a regular tall candle perfectly! The 5" wide base is stable enough to hold it too without tipping over. If this had been found without its cover, it would have been called a candle holder for sure. How that tiny, 1 3/4", loose fitting cover survived breakage and the possibility of being lost or misplaced is a miracle. It must have been owned by someone who cherished it. It has no damage whatsoever.

I have written another article featuring the to also become Cristalerias Papini Industria Argentina Star punch bowl which converts to multiple combinations including a cake plate, chop plate, and a vase. The subject about the multi-purpose uses of utilitarian items in carnival glass from Argentina is very intriguing to me, I have the confidence to say it again about this sweet desk-piece. It is an inkwell and candle holder and, as far as I know, the only reported one of its kind.

Pictures courtesy of Mike Carwile. Burns Auction Catalog, and myself.

The Christina Katsikas Collection