Roycroft Inkwell and Tray
Designed by Victor Toothaker (Wade Victor Phelps Toothaker)
East Aurora, New York, c. 1912–1914
Patinated copper (missing glass insert)
Maker’s mark: Roycroft “Early Mark”
Dimensions: 11¼ × 7¾ inches
This hammered copper inkwell and tray was designed by Victor Toothaker for the Roycroft community around 1912–1914. The elegant triangular form rises to a domed lid—once fitted with a glass insert—combining organic contours with a warm, hand-applied patina.
Toothaker was among the Roycrofters who advanced the American Arts and Crafts movement by creating finely wrought objects that emphasized simplicity, honesty of materials, and utility. This desk set, featured in the 1912 Roycroft Catalog, exemplifies the Roycroft ideal of transforming everyday objects into enduring expressions of craftsmanship and artistry.
