Pen tray

A pen tray is a shallow receptacle for laying pens on a desk. It may stand alone or belong to a writing set that includes an inkwell. Its low, often elongated form should be distinguished from an upright pen holder and from the ink reservoir itself.

The function does not prescribe one material. Corning Museum of Glass records a cut and engraved glass example, Birmingham Museum of Art a Wedgwood jasperware tray, and Science Museum Group one made of gutta-percha. These are individual examples rather than a complete list or a shared date for the type.

Inspect edges, the underside, wear and any marks. A surviving component of a desk set should not be described as a complete set. A small elongated dish might also have served another purpose. Compare form and dimensions with documented examples before identifying its function, and avoid naming a manufacturer solely because the material or decoration looks similar.

Corning Museum of Glass: pen tray 96.4.185 E | Birmingham Museum of Art: Wedgwood pen tray | Science Museum Group: pen tray 1984-1097