Prior to the invention of the inkwell in 1854, there was the inkstand.

3 hours ago, CarlHoliday said:

Prior to the invention of the inkwell in 1854, there was the inkstand.

That doesn't sound practical for an educational setting.  Would work ok for private or professional use, but when large number of people are involved I can see accidents in the making.  

19 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

The ancient Egyptians used inkwells, though they called them something else.

Yes, in Ancient Egypt scribes used stones with rounded holes in them to hold the ink that they could dip their reed reed writing tool (pen) in.  

The Romans were great writers as well.  They would write on papyrus (most commonly used); thin, flat, rectangular sheets of wood; or parchment (animal skin).  They would do this using black ink made from root ater (Latin for 'black'); lampblack suspended in a solution of gum arabic or glue; or iron vitriol (the same thing used by shoemakers to dye leather black).  They sometimes also used red ink made from red lead or red ocra.  Their writing utensils (pens) might be made from reeds, wood, or even metal, and their inkwells were usually made from metal or pottery and were generally small enough to fit in the palm of their hand. sometimes with a lid, so the scribe could carry it around.    

3 minutes ago, JamesSavik said:

I know the difference from flea markets.

NO. You don't buy fleas there. I like to rummage through the old books, but they are mostly about antiques.

These are two cobalt blue glass inkwells.

 

This is an ink stand... for your inkwells.

Ah, those explain a lot.  I was envisioning a furniture stand, possibly a small round top stand placed next to a desk.  Man, was I far off.  lol 

25 minutes ago, Bill W said:

Ah, those explain a lot.  I was envisioning a furniture stand, possibly a small round top stand placed next to a desk.  Man, was I far off.  lol 

From Wikipedia: The inkstand made by William Syng in 1752 and used by the signers of the Declaration of Independence.