“At the tip of the quill: the inkwell in the Mariani family collection” in collaboration with Mario and Marco Mariani, brings the focus back to writing as a physical and daily practice through objects that chronicle the enduring legacy of the written word. Over seventy inkwells are on display at Mercanteinfiera, selected from the private collection of Osanda and Mario Mariani, a body of work comprising over a thousand unique pieces spanning centuries of writing history. These objects, originally created to accompany the daily act of writing, have evolved over time into repositories of memory, form, and imagination.

The inkwells on display include exquisite late 19th-century French specimens, such as a decorated porcelain inkwell featuring a pump system for leveling the ink, complete with brass wells and a shaped base. Another highlight is a chased bronze inkwell, embellished with the figure of a reclining girl and engraved floral motifs. Alongside these, hand-painted Italian ceramic inkwells offer a more domestic and artisanal perspective on writing. The collection also features pieces where function and storytelling merge, such as an early 19th-century ceramic inkwell in the shape of a French drummer boy. These small inventions bear witness to the profound connection between writing, imagination, and daily life.