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Inkwells

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Inkwells For Sale
Inkwell in red marble with "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU
Located in Paris, FR
Inkwell in red Griotte marble and gilt bronze representing an allegory of writing by Henri Chapu (1833-1891). This old 19th century inkstand is ...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Derby Imari Pattern Partners Porcelain Inkwell and Quill Pen Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine, rare and unusual antique English Derby partners porcelain inkwell and quill pen holder decorated in the Imari pattern and dating from the early ...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Art nouveau golden brass inkwell 1900 jugendstil desk accessorie
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Art Nouveau Large jugendstil golden brass inkwell Original 1900 desk accessorie Original good condition Height 13 cm Large 25 cm
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Beautiful Art Nouveau Inkwell, Signed "Guénardeau", Susse Frères
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptionally beautiful inkwell from the French Art Nouveau period. Great workmanship of Art Nouveau decor with maple and vine motifs on the bottom of the pen tray, the ink cup holde...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell, Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Black Forest Carved Dog Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved black Forest shaggy dog inkwell with pen holder. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the ...
Category

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Wood

Antique Continental .800 Silver Daybed Form Hinged Silver Inkwell
Located in Stamford, CT
A fabulous antique continental .800 silver desk set in the form of a daybed or chez lounge. Standing on four incredibly elegant legs and all over figural r...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver

John Charles Grinsell Antique Edwardian Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell; part of our antique silver and glassware collection This exceptio...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Onyx Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver - mounted onyx inkwell, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1915. Measures 3 3/4 inches wide (at widest point) x 2 1/4 inches high x 4 inches deep. So...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Onyx, Sterling Silver

Late 19th c. French Hand Painted Faience Inkwell, signed Alice Chaumeil
Located in Winter Park, FL
A good French inkwell faience with great colors and details. Minors chips on the edges but overall condition. Signed CA,, with number 820. From Alcide Chaumeil's atelier in Paris ac...
Category

Early 20th Century European French Provincial Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Brass Double Inkwell, Scotland, 1900
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique brass double inkwell, Scotland 1900, H545 Scotland 1900 Brass and glass Inkwell comes with stamp holder and lid Two glass inkwell...
Category

Early 1900s Scottish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Royal Vienna 19th Century Hand Painted Double Inkwell
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautifully hand painted Royal Vienna double inkwell. The floral decoration on the stand and the two removable original ink holders with hinged lids. The Royal Vienna beehive...
Category

1890s Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

French Macassar Inkwell
Located in Cathedral City, CA
1920s inkstand made in Macassar wood with original glass inkwells.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Silver Plated Bronze Inwell, Charles X
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant silvered bronze inkwell in the shape of a shell raised by four feet also made like small shells. The two cruets for the ink and the pen cleaner are in cut crystal with a bro...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver inkstand; an addition to our ornamental office silverware collect...
Category

1910s British Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Inkwell with Original Inkwell Glass, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco inkwell with original inkwell glass vienna around 1920s. Original inkwell glass. Polished and stove enamelled.  
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Silver Plate & Cut Glass Oval Shaped Inkwell, Scotland, 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique silver plate & cut glass oval shaped inkwell, Scotland 1910, H553 Scotland 1910 Silver plate and glass Oval shaped stand Cut glass inkwell All standing on clawfeet Measur...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Black Forest Carved Large Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, Exceptional Carving
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Large Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwel...
Category

1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Softwood

Antique Silver Plated Art Nouveau Inkstand, Scotland 1910, H554
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique silver plated art nouveau inkstand, Scotland 1910, H554 Scotland 1910 Silver plate Embossed lid opens to reveal glass liner Shaped base with pen tray to the front H554 Mea...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

English Regency antique inkwell ecrier in patinated bronze
Located in London, GB
A fine English Regency period patinated bronze inkwell in the shape of a long ship. The main body of the inkwell is in the form of a ship and in a form of shipbuilding known as clink...
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Anglo-Indian Styled Cast Metal Figural Camel Inkwell or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique cast and cold-painted inkwell has no maker's marks, but presumed to have originated from Austria and dating to approximately 1900 and done in the Anglo-Indian style. Thi...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Anglo-Indian Inkwells

Materials

Spelter

Polished Brass Islamic Moorish Style Desk Inkwells Set
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Early 20th century desk set, rare and great quality Mamluk Cairoware style, silver and copper inlaid brush and inkwell holder and ink blotter rocker, features a wood base with ornate...
Category

19th Century Moorish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Black Gutta Percha Inkstand, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The black inkstand with a molded lion decoration with a shell pen tray. The two glass inkwells on either end.
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Rubber

Group of Two French Faience Ink Wells, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century group of two faience ink wells, circa 1875 Desvres with Fourmentraux Frères Mark, circular, decorated in the Rouen style, faience inkwell (5" diameter), circa 1898. Hen...
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Faience

Walker & Hall Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver and Glass Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and glass desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent antique silver desk...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Black Forest Carved Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, with Pen Tray, Swiss, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwell, the dogs front paws mounted on a naturalistically carved hollowed tree forming the pen tray, Brienz, Switzerland ca. 1880. *Jay Arenski, et al, quotes Swiss Poet Heinrich Federer, who said in his memoirs, "Woodcarving brought riches to the village [of Brienz]. It became all the fashion and no Englishman left the Bernese Highlands without having seen the Giessbach, having eaten a fat roasted eel, and having bought a Brienz woodcarving." Arenski continues, "Thus, as the tourist industry flourished and thrived, so did the carvers, selling their wares to the well-heeled visitors." This fashion had been set in motion by Queen Victoria's visit to the area in April 1868, and by her subsequent inspiration to build a Swiss chalet at Osborne House and fill it with Black Forest Swiss carvings...
Category

1880s Swiss Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Softwood

19th C. Antique Writing Stand Desk Office Inkwell Center Piece Chinese Porcelain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Antique writing stand desk Office Inkwell Center Piece Chinese Porcelain . This beautiful garniture on a desk a table or a console will a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
By George Josef Burgstaller
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER (German/Austrian) Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller ruge marble.
Category

1890s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Green Marble & Gold Bronze 4 Piece Inkwell Desk Set Circa 1875-85
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Antique French green marble and gold bronze 4 piece inkwell desk set, circa 1875-1885. Includes: Inkwell: 11W x 8L x 4.75H Paperweight (Left): 3W x 5.25L x 3.5H Rolli...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Equestrian / Jockey CAP Inkstand / Inkwell, C.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome Horseshoe shaped inkstand, the base made from solid English Oak mounted with a silver plated horseshoe and a square gallery to secure the glass inkwell. The glass inkwell is topped with a hinged brass lid in the form of a Jockey's cap with a silver plated peak, slight wear to edge. There is a support for a dip pen...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

English Silver-Gilt and Agate Inkstand, circa 1830
Located in Paris, FR
Inkwell in agate set in a vermeil mount. The agate cut is closed by a finely chiseled lid of foliage patterns and whose grip is adorned with a head of putti. The handle, which is dec...
Category

1830s English George IV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Agate, Silver

Antique Brass Double Inkstand with Pen Holders, Scotland 1900, H548
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique brass double inkstand with pen holders, Scotland 1900, H548 Scotland 1900 Brass & glass Brass pen holder to the back Pair of cut glass inkwel...
Category

Early 1900s Scottish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Large Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Crystal Inkwell by Durgin
Located in New York, NY
Large, Edwardian-Period, sterling silver mounted controlled bubbles design crystal inkwell with hinged lid, William B. Durgin Co., Concord, New Hampshire, Ca. 1900. Measures 4 1/2 in...
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Loetz Styled Green Iridescent Art Glass Inkwell with Brass Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique art glass inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Art Nouveau style. The body of the inkw...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Sterling Silver Inkwell England 1905
Located in Stamford, CT
Handsome sterling silver antique inkwell has a lovely, simple design and was made by William Harrison Walter, circa 1905. It has a high polished profile, with a hinged lid and is wei...
Category

Early 20th Century English Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Ceramic Inkwell, Talavera De La Reina, Spain, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Talavera Inkwell, 18th century. Glazed pottery Talavera ceramic inkwell, decorated with cobalt blue enamel on a white tin slip with restorations" Size: 16 x 16 x 7 cms.    
Category

18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French gilt bronze inkwell. Perfect coffee table art or desk statement piece. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Mid 19th Century Inkwell in the Form of a Pocket Globe
Located in London, GB
A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pewter

19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare French mid-19th century encier in Louis Revival taste with Moorish Arabesque influence. Handcrafted in Champlevé enameled gilt bronze with ornate and colorful blue, pink, red, green and white enameling over the heavily shaped and scalloped base, that borders the stunning Severes style (I have not removed it to check for a makers mark) enameled porcelain tray scene of frolicking putti. The stunning enameling continues on the raised inkwell body and hinged lid with finial. Opposite, two raised balls act as a pen rest, the inkstand raising on four ball feet. Similar to French cloisonne, each champlevé design is a one-of-a-kind work of art. A beautiful warm verdigris patina adds to its character and charm. This wonderful antique objet...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Unusual Carved Walnut Wood Inkwell from France, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved from walnut in France, circa 1880, this unusual inkwell features foliate and floral motifs. A flip-top lid adorned with a pair of bas relief flowers tops the central pen ...
Category

1880s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform base ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Inkwell / Desk Tidy 1871
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Victorian Solid Silver Inkstand with two glass lined Inkwells with hinged lids. The base of the inkstand has a classic Greek Key pattern around the sides and rows of chased patterning on the body connected with ornate stylised acanthus leaves. The Inkwell stands on four shaped feet. Made in Sheffield, England in 1871 by James Dixon & Sons. Approx. Weight (Silver Only) - 1130g / 36.33oz Approx. Length - 32.4cm Approx. Width - 19.4cm This Inkstand has full English Hallmarks. This Victorian Inkstand...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and exceptionally high quality French early 19th century Louis XV st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, signed Sèvres. The inkwell is raised by striking pierced scrolled foliate ormolu movements in a most decorative satin and burnished finished. At the center is the finely detailed Sèvres Porcelain tray...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

Mid-Century Antique Pair of Glass Inkwells with a Brass Lid and a Shield on Top
Located in Stamford, CT
A nice pair of mid-century glass inkwells with brass hinged lids and a shield on top. English lap desk style purchased by a private collector who trav...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Inkwell with Glass Insert
Located in Stamford, CT
Decorative Victorian brass inkwell with a glass insert a nice size and good conversation piece for any desk. This inkwell could use a good cleaning or po...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Double Inkstand, Linage Blue and Gilt, France, 1900, H565
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique double inkstand, linage blue and gilt, France 1900, H565 France 1900 Porcelain Floral decoration to the back Pair of porcelain inkwells with lids Pen rest Stamp holder to th...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Art Nouveau Repousse Brass & Glass Inkwell
Located in Austin, TX
Circa 1900, this antique inkwell exemplifies the Art Nouveau period in decorative arts through the shape of its glass bowl and repousse brass-hinged cov...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Hand Painted Porcelain & Brass Inkwell, Paris, 1839
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century hand painted porcelain & brass inkwell, Paris 1839 A fine hand made porcelain inkwell by Medaille D'Argent Hand painted floral motif surround the inkwell Two side by side quill...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Crystal Inkwell
Located in Sheffield, MA
Elegant late 19th century crystal inkwell from England. square design with lovely chamfered edges and brass collar. Wonderful for any desk or table. ink well,
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal

Silver Plate Hoof Inkwell with Pen Rest, by Rowland Ward & Co
Located in Reepham, GB
A late 19th century silver plate mounted horse hoof inkwell, the lid and horseshoe of silver plate, the hinged lid opening to the glass inkwell wit...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique French Faience Quimper Inkwell Pen Tray, circa 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming antique French faience Quimper double inkwell and pen tray desk set, circa 1900. This gorgeous inkwell is hand painted with a traditional Breton man surrounded by bagpipes...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Faience

Grand Tour Imperial Austrian Helmet Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Grand Tour Imperial Austrian helmet inkwell. Apparently unmarked. Dimensions: H 8" x W 8" x D 5.5" Condition: Signs of age and use includ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Grand Tour Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Art Deco English Sterling Silver Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set London, 1910
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Sterling Silver Art Deco Period Embossed twin ink bottle desk standish, complete with all its accessories to include a pair of removable silver mounted...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Walker & Hall Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and glass inkwell made by Walker and Hall, part of our antique silver and glassware collection. This exceptional antique George V English sterling silver inkwell has a hexagonal shaped, waisted form. The shaped surface of this impressive antique inkwell is plain and unembellished, with applied iconic Art Deco style tiered designs to the either side of the base. The elevated anterior edge of the base composes a pen receiver. This Walker and Hall inkwell is fitted with an impressive flat topped hinged hallmarked sterling silver cover. The cover opens to reveal a sunken well and removable glass ink liner. The underside of the inkwell is fitted with the original wood base. Condition This antique Walker...
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Inkwell Tatum’s Standard Crystal Well 3 Pen Quill Rests Hinged Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Ink Well Tatum’s Standard, crystal well, 3 pen quill rests, hinged lid. This piece is cast iron and crystal. It is a beauty!
Category

20th Century American Victorian Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Iron

Gilt Bronze Ink Stand with Candlestick, French Empire
Located in Knivsta, SE
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze ink stand with candlestick. French empire, probably made in Paris around 1810. The gilt bronze with some patina. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

Early 1800s French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Imperial Manufacture of Sevres Porcelain Inkwell
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful 19th century French porcelain inkwell from the imperial manufacture of Sevres. Green and gold decor with dolphin's head. Stamped Sevres at the back. Rare item.
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage, New and Antique Inkwells

Now that we no longer need vintage, new or antique inkwells for written communication, these elegant desk accessories make for a distinctive decorative touch in any home office or study.

Prior to the 19th century, the inkwell was an integral part of the writing process. The first fountain pen was patented in 1827. Typewriters found acceptance during the 1880s, and the ballpoint pen, which replaced the inkwell on most desks and writing tables of the era, modernized the way we write. (Later, it would transform how some of us make art.) Today, a well-designed antique or vintage inkwell is a fun, decorative accent for any work area.

If you find yourself working from home today more often than not, why not freshen things up a bit? Small changes can help elevate your workspace: Incremental edits to your interior, such as rethinking your shelving, swapping out your wall decor and adding a touch of the past to your modern-day desktop, can actually make a big difference. Alongside an ornate Art Deco–era desk lamp and an antique paperweight, your inkwell will look right at home and can support your effort to create a happy home office.

Find a collection of unique metal inkwells to suit any taste on 1stDibs or shop by style. Browse a range of Art Nouveau inkwells, Victorian inkwells, Art Deco inkwells and more. Search our selection of inkwells to find the perfect piece for any space.

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