What is this?
 

I hope the picture works! This is in a cabinet from a Singer 202 that I got today. I have no idea what it is and I KNOW someone here will! It has a little ball in the cap too.

Inkwell? I have ssen one in an office desk...

Yep. Inkwell.... These cabinets were sold as a combination sewing/writing desk. :)

Thanks! I couldn't figure out what it was!

Wow, I want a cabinet like that. :D

Joe

Wow, you people are soooooo knowledgable!! I never would have guessed that.

My husband said that was what it was but I couldn't imagine it. The machine is wonderful and she runs SO smoothly!

I have this same desk. It is called an art noveau desk with 3 drawers on the right and one, small, one on the left. Don't lose the ink well whatever you do. It adds to the value of the whole outfit. The ball bearing in the inkwell keeps the ink from evaporating from it. There was a desk like this about a week ago on QB that was light colored wood. Mine is dark, like yours, in mahogany. I just about have it refinished. These aren't very plentiful and many people haven't seen them. Thanks QB for allowing us to see one. It is a very small desk, a cute llittle sucker. It will tuck into almost any home without hogging space. It is much, much smaller than a treadle. Hope you enjoy it.

You have an old inkwell; the round cutout on the bottom of the drawer is where it sits when not being used. The little shelf you have it sitting on at this time is a pencil keeper, or shelf, or whatever you want to call it.

My cabinet is in really good shape right now and I doubt I will do anything more than clean it up. Even the machine needed only a little dusting. I still have to oil her up some. The woman who owned her took good care of her and I'd like to thank her for that!