19th Century Inkwells

Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...

A bronze inkwell made in Milano at the end of 19th Century by famous manufacturer Antonio Pandiani (1838-1928). It's marked on the bottom. Bronze it's in original conditions and patina.

This large Bois Durci ink stand features an intricately moulded base, upon which sit two glass inkwells and a central urn shaped container. The glass inkwel...

We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Orig...

A 19th century brass decorated Islamic Persian Qalamdan.The Qalamdan is in solid brass, decorated on all sides with Arabic calligraphy writing.It consists of an inkwell and a pen compartment of typical tubular form with an interior cavity to store a reed pen.Attached to the body is an inkwell with engraved Moorish designs with a shell style cover.An antique Turkish Brass...

A very rare and important exhibition encrier by François Linke and Léon Messagé. French, circa 1900. Index number 709. Signed to the edge 'F. Linke'. This exceptional and ambitious encrier is modelled as two putti, each holding a standard and sitting on the water's edge, the two inkwells with hinged spirally-fluted covers with glass liners. This important inkwell is based on Léon Messagé's celebrated sculptural group 'La Source' and was originally intended by Linke to form part of his spectacular Stand at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Like seven or eight other pieces originally intended for inclusion on the Stand, it would seem the encrier was a casualty of both Linke's over-ambitious production schedule and the financial burden that the manufacture of such ornate and high quality work imposed. It was eventually shown on the Stand in September after the gilding was finished by Picard at a cost of 90 French francs. The costs of the model were very high: some 2024 francs (of which Message's combined fee was 1158 francs 40 centimes), underlining the originality and complexity. The 1900 Exposition example was sold, along with three important pieces of furniture from the Stand (the Grand bureau and associated armchair, and the Bahut Louis XV Mars et Vénus), to the South African banker and diamond merchant Solomon Joel. A further six encriers were produced up until 1925. Object Literature: Payne, Christopher. François Linke, 1855-1946, The Belle Époque of French Furniture, p. 90, pl. 97; p. 149, pl. 157; p. 150; pp. 182-183, pls 197 & 198 as exhibited at the Liege exhibition in 1905 & p. 480 for the original notes in Linke's Blue daybook of the late 1890s. François Linke (1855 - 1946) was the most important Parisian cabinet maker of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and possibly the most sought after cabinet maker of his period. He was born in 1855 in the small village of Pankraz, in what is now the Czech Republic. Records show that Linke served an apprenticeship with the master cabinetmaker Neumann, then in 1875 at the age of 20 he arrived in Paris where he lived until he died in 1946. It is known that the fledgling Linke workshops were active in Paris in the Faubourg St. Antoine as early as 1881, and during this time he supplied furniture for other more established makers such as Jansen and Krieger. The quality of Linke's craftsmanship was unsurpassed by any of his contemporaries and reached its peak with his spectacular Stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, where his Grand Bureau took the Gold Medal. He gambled his fortune and reputation on this Stand, exhibiting several breathtaking items of furniture with sculptural mounts of the most exceptional quality and proportion. His gamble worked and his reputation was established to such an extent that Linke continued to be the pre-eminent furniture house in Paris until the Second World War. As the Art Journal reported in 1900 on Linke's Stand: 'The work of M. Linke ... was an example of what can be done by seeking inspiration amongst the Classic examples of Louis XV and XVI without in any great sense copying these great works. M. Linke's work was original in the true sense of the word, and as such commended itself to the intelligent seeker after the really artistic things of the Exhibition. Wonderful talent was employed in producing the magnificent pieces of furniture displayed....' The formation of Linke's distinctive style was made possible by his collaboration with the sculptor Léon Messagé. Together Linke and Messagé designed furniture for Linke's 1900 exhibition Stand, with exuberant allegorical figures cast in high relief, that exemplified Linke's ability to seamlessly merge the different mediums of wood carving, bronze and marquetry into a dynamic unified whole. Today Linke is best known for the exceptionally high quality of his work, as well as his individualism and inventiveness. All of his work has the finest, most lavish mounts, very often applied to comparatively simple carcasses. The technical brilliance of his work and the artistic change that it represented were never to be repeated. Bibliography: Payne, Christopher. François Linke, (1855 - 1946), The Belle Époque of French Furniture, Antique Collectors' Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2003. Meyer, Jonathan. Great Exhibitions - London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, 1851-1900, Antique Collectors' Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2006; pp. 298 - 300. LeDoux - Lebard, Denise. Les Ébénistes du XIXe siècle, Les Editions de l'Amateur, (Paris), 1984; pp. 439-43. Revue Artistique & Industrielle, (Paris), July-August 1900. Coral Thomsen, D. (ed), The Paris Exhibition 1900, The Art Journal, 1901; p.341. Léon Messagé (1842-1901) had a brilliant, but short lived career. He is best known for his incredible sculptural collaboration with François Linke for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A gifted sculptor, Messagé was also responsible for much of the design and creative work for Roux et Brunet and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. Messagé enjoyed great success as a designer/sculptor before his collaboration with Linke. Indeed he was mentioned as a Gold Medal winner at the 1889 International Exhibition and was especially praised for his work on a cabinet by Zwiener. He came into contact with Linke in 1885 and it appears from then on Linke employed him on a regular basis. Messagé was primarily influenced by Rococo ornament but he strove to re-interpret it. He did not produce slavish copies, and his original approach can be appreciated in Linke's celebrated Grande Bibliothèque and Grand Bureau exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A number of drawings by Messagé are recorded and after his success at the exhibition of 1889 he was encouraged to publish his designs. 'Cahier...

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...

A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.

A fine 19th-century French Baccarat crystal and oak double inkwell and pen tray desk set. Signed "Baccarat". The inkwells and nib holder are heavy with a swirled crystal design and h...

19th Century Victorian silver large lidded inkstand, of rectangular casket form, with a hindged lid, engraved with Rococo scrolls and foleage, with vacant cartooches, resting on four...

Antique brass stag & hunting hounds double inkwell, Scotland 1890, H546 Scotland 1890 Solid brass and glass Double brass inkstand comes with a pen ...

An English Art Nouveau copper inkwell. An Art & Crafts English yellow with red copper inkwell. A rectangular inkwell with a scene of an owl sit...

A rare Victorian silver plated novelty inkwell fashioned in the form of a barrel on stand, in turn standing on a brick paving; beautiful detail such as...

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.

Falize French Gilt Silver & Cutglass Baccarat Dual Inkwells Eagle Finials, c1850 An outstanding 2nd Empire French Gilt .950 silver and cut crystal enc...

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 ...

A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.

A bronze inkwell surmounted by a faun manufactured in Italy in the mid-18th century.

French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze double inkwell with eagle on top and rectangular green marble base.

French inkwell in gilt bronze. Classical lady after the antique to the lid. She lying back against a rock with sandals and long robes and her arm over her head. To the inkwell front is an applied gilt bronze mount of palm fronds. The base has a fine decorative moulding...

Palais Royal mother of pearl and ormolu inkwell depicting Cupid. Set upon a fine ormolu base with four ormolu feet, with the very finely e...

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...

An English Victorian period crystal inkwell from the 19th century, with gilded children. Created in England during the 19th century, this inkwell captures our attention with its unus...

A handsome and substantial novelty inkwell in the form of a running Ostrich standing on an oval shaped base with a naturalistic base incorporating two "rocks" acting as a pen rest. I...

Red marble casket with pyramidal lid and fitted brass vessels. Light bumps.

Amazing silver plated inkwell by T. Elkington, marked on the bottom, good conditions overall, original glass.

During the Regency period it was very much the height of opulence to inlay delicately shaped pieces of brass design into wood. This pen and ink stand...

An attractive and unusual patinated bronze inkwell of a child feeding his dog which is chained to its kennel. The top of the kennel lifts off to reveal the porcelain inkwell within. The child in 19th...

Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...

An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Victorian English sterling silver and red cranberry glass inkwell; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver inkwell has a circular shaped domed form. The body of this exceptional antique inkwell is embellished with impressive pierced and embossed scrolling leaf decoration, accented with pensile, baluster style bead motifs. The ornamentation to the body incorporates five oval cartouches; four are ornamented with an embossed male profile: two bearded males and two in a soldier's helmet. The cartouche to the anterior surface of the inkwell features the contemporary engraved crest of a stag encompassed with a garter and the motto 'God and my Honour'. The intricate sterling silver body of the inkwell incorporates five conical shaped pen receivers. The swept waisted upper portion of this antique inkwell is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, ornamented with engraved simplified leaf decoration. The cover is surmounted with an impressive embossed three-dimensional bust of a male figure in robes. This antique inkwell retains the original and substantial red cranberry glass ink bottle liner, with a cut glass star motif to the underside; the cranberry glass liner is highly desirable. This exceptional silver and glass inkwell is supported by five swept feet, ornamented with a continuation of scrolling leaf and circular motif decoration from the body. This exceptional example of Victorian silverware, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell II, is the finest example of its type Condition This antique ink bottle...

Antique English Regency figural inkwell with candle holder. In finely cast and original patinated bronze. Set on ball feet the rectangular base has a figure of Cupid holding up a w...

Chinese ceramic pocket inkwell white blue late 19th century in its inlaid box. Dimension height 7 cm for a size of 21 cm long (once opened) for 9 cm deep. Additional information: ...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has a naturalistic-shaped form. The surface of the stand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral ornamentation, incorporating a scroll bordered cartouche bearing the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an elephant's head. The stand is further ornamented with scrolling designs encompassing an oval recess, composing a pen well. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand...

English Regency figural ecrier or inkstand. Set upon a rectangular base with milled edges all around. The ecrier with pin tray to front and back with inkwell to one side and sander to the other. Quill holder...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form. This Victorian inkstand...

19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.

Mid 19th century partner's inkwell with a double opening brass top and a cut crystal daisy bottom. This is a great piece you don't see too many partner's...

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...

This is a mid-19th century French gilt bronze neo-classical style ram form inkwell. It has dual rams to possibly hold the writing instrument.

19th Century Viennese bronze inkwell representing a bird resting on a branch, 13 cm high, 20 cm wide and 7 cm deep. Additional information: Material: Bronze.

A 19th century brass decorated Middle Eastern Islamic Qalamdan. The Qalamdan is in solid brass, etched on all sides with Egyptian floral design. It consists of an inkwell and a pen...

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...

A beautiful quality lizard inkwell, the realistically modelled lizard as inset glass eyes.

An English Victorian Japanned papier mache desk set with mother of pearl inlay and elaborate rich polychrome painted flower decoration. The charm...

French Empire-style (19th century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE).  

Early 19th Century Jewish Glass Ink pot dating back to the Biedermeier period, of European Austro-Hungarian origin. Circular shape, this clear jacketed gl...

Late 19th Century crystal inkwell with a brass collar and chamfered edges, English circa 1880. This is one of many pieces we received from a private colle...

A Wonderfull quality bronze inkwell depicting a black African man, made by the goldscheider factory in Vienna around 1890, with inset glass eyes.

Late 19th century traveling inkwell in the shape of a leather hatbox with a copper interior and glass insert circa 1870 England. A very nice piece for a...

Antique French Gold Bronze and Green Marble Inkwell Signed "A. Marionnet," Circa 1890.

Beautiful Early 19th century rosewood lap desk. Made in England, circa 1830. Has brass corners and brown leather writing surface with gold tooling. Left side...

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...

An elegant and charming French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by Fine topie shaped feet below the elegantly shaped wrap ...

A charming and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, stamped, P.C.G. The inkwell is raised by Fine fluted bun shaped feet below the beau...

Late 19th century double crystal inkwell with a pen tray and brass trim from England 1880. This is from a private collector who traveled the world buying and selling beautiful and un...

1870s French bronze and enamel inkwell set. 6 pieces. Painted portraits.

An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and crystal inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a fine circular ormolu base with a lovely reeded and richly chased palmette design. Above the fine mottled base is the beautiful crystal bowl with a lovely spiral fluted design. The top rim displays a superb and richly chased wrap around band with charming flowers. Above are the three removable lidded vessels, two for ink, one for pounce, each set within a pierced tray...

French Empire-style (19th Century) 4 piece bronze inkwell set with swan design. Inkwell, paperweight, pen holder, sandwell for cleaning nibs.(PRICED AS SET...