18th Century Antique George III Sterling Silver Inkstand Londo 1791 John Touliet
By John Touliet
Located in 53-64 Chancery Lane, London
An incredibly important and impressively large shaped cornered rectangular inkstand lovingly designed and decorated with elegant central strap work bands.
Sterling Silver
English Antique Brass Salamander Ink Stand, Circa 1890
Located in Sheffield, MA
Brass salamander inkstand, glass eyes, cut glass inkwell with hinged brass lid.
Brass
Sold|$3,250
A Louis XVI Black Moroccon Leather Ecritoire
Located in San Francisco, CA
The rectangular travel desk; with original hinges, or “charniere” and hall marked gilt silver inkstands.
Leather
Bronze Desk Set by Margo Kemp, German Circa 1925
Located in Hoboken, NJ
Bronze desk set including inkstand, letter opener, box seal, round inkwell, two blotters by Margo Kemp, German circa 1925
Sold|$3,500
Gilded Brass Desk Set
Located in Seattle, WA
Gilded Brass Set with brown and white agate stones: two candlesticks, one penholder, inkstand, stationery box and binder. Stationery box is marked: Howell - James & co Regent street ...
SCULPTURAL BUFFALO DEAKIN SHEFFIELD SILVERPLATE INKWELL
Located in New York, NY
There is a life-like 3-dimensional buffalo at the back of the inkstand. No monogram. Dimensions 8 1/4 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches deep by 3 3/4 inches high.
Silver Plate
Sold|$447
19th Century French Bronze Inkwell
Located in Raalte, NL
Richly decorated 19th century French bronze inkstand with a floral scene and grotesque heads in relief.
Bronze
Outstanding Quality Antique French Cast-Brass Desk Set
Located in Stutton, GB
Outstanding quality antique French cast-brass desk set, with a lovely inkstand having twin ink wells and pierced gallery, a rectangular pierced pen tray and a pair of ornate candlest...
Brass
Empire Ink Stand in Gilt and Patinated Bronze
Located in Wilmington, DE
This charming traveling inkstand is composed on several pieces. The lower central covered bowl is beautifully chiseled in Ormolu, and contains the main elements.
Gold, Gold Plate, Bronze
Exceptional Mahogany "Table à Transformation"
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in Geneva, CH
The sliding top above a rack and a drawer with a sliding shelf revealing an inkstand one side, a mirror on the other side, above two lateral drawers opening thanks to an elaborate me...
Lorraine-Dietrich Racing-Car Inkwell.
By Kaiserzinn
Located in London, GB
A rare silvered metal inkstand in the form of a 1907 Lorraine-Dietrich racing car by Kaiserzinn, with driver at the wheel with co-driver at his side, German c1907.
Silver Plate
CYLINDER TOP, MARQUETRY AND PARQUETRY 2 PART SECRETARY
Located in Woodbury, CT
THE CYLINDER OPENS BY PULLING THE SLIDE AND THE COVER AT THE SAME TIME, TO REVEAL AN INTERIOR WITH 6 DRAWERS, 2 SHELVES , A LEATHER WRITING SURFACE AND ATTACHED INKSTAND/WRITING BOX...
Walnut, Fruitwood, Satinwood, Sycamore
Sold|$2,400
Minton “Triple Bucket” Inkwell, 1830
By Minton
Located in Hudson, NY
Minton “Triple Bucket” inkstand, circa 1830, the chamfered rectangular tray with gilt twig handles at the ends issuing white applied floral sprays, the center three depressions fitte...
Early 19th Century Regency Period Gilt Metal Ink Stand
Located in Bradford on Avon, GB
The inkstand is complete with a centre candlestick holder decorated with a butterfly above heart-shaped acanthus leaf flowers and a gilt-cast circular moulding.
Scarce Carved Stone Model - Temple of Vesta, Rome, ca.1880
Located in Lafayette, CA
Perhaps the carver intuited too late, that porous, white stone was not an ideal choice for an inkstand.
Exceptional Regency Rosewood Ink Stand, Desk Stand
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Exceptional Regency, rosewood inkstand with the drawer, having 2 original inkwells with rosewood tops and original glass compartment possibly for stamps, all flanked by pen trays and...
Glass, Rosewood
Sold|$38,000
Occasional Table - Petite Table de Salon
Located in Vienna, AT
Occasional table with marble top above a writing leather slide and three drawers; to the right side a drawer with pen and inkstand. The red and beige flecked marble top with a three ...
Tulipwood, Beech
Victorian Novelty Silver Registered Design Shoe Bonbonniere & Seal
By Edward H. Stockwell
Located in Sittingbourne, Kent
Provenance: Thornhill registered this design in 1874 for a number of possible uses (see images) including a light box (vesta case), an etui, a seal, an inkstand, a spirit lamp, a loz...
Silver
18th Century American Philip Syng, Jr Silver Coffee Pot
Located in Greenwich, CT
Philip Syng, Jr. was a renowned silversmith best know for creating the Syng Inkstand, which was used to sign the United States Declaration of Independence and United States Constitut...
Sterling Silver
Antique French Grand Tour Writer's Box or Ecritoire, 1855 Expo
Located in South Coast, CA
Fantastic antique Napoleon III era 13" writer's box, double inkwell or inkstand with rear stationery box, Gothic style brass accents and Grand Tour souvenir hand painted eglomise sce...
Sold|$2,500
English William IV Inkstand
Located in Sheffield, MA
William IV gilded bronze inkstand with two molded glass inset inkwells with hinged bronze covers, stamp box with cover and finial, dolphin-shaped handle, raised on beehive-shaped feet.
Bronze
Sold|$675
Fine 19th Century Boulle Inkstand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elaborate filigree work in superb condition. Generously scaled.
Brass
Fine Sportsman's Inkstand / Letter Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gilt metal appointed with hunting dogs, one holding waterfowl in his mouth, the other prowling. The inkwell lid is adorned with a boar. Maid by Meridan, Connecticut in the 1890s.
Metal
French Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Inkstand
Located in Buckinghamshire, GB
A mahogany inkstand, with two inkwells and a central tray for desk accessories.
Antique 19th Century Inkstand, Leather, H561
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique 19th Century Inkstand, Leather, H561 Having two glass inkwells with brass and leather lids Rectangular embossed leather stamp box A glass pen tray insert Standing on a sha...
Leather
Art Deco Sengbusch Inkstand, with Pen Holder
Located in Vancouver, BC
Art Deco Sengbusch inkstand, with pen holder, B2781Y Having an inkwell and pen holder With original pen Decorated with brass band and wood inlay All sitting upon a black marble...
Marble, Brass
Antique Brass Inkstand, Leaf Form, Scotland 1910, H558
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Brass Inkstand, Leaf Form, Scotland 1910, H558 Scotland 1910 Brass + Glass Embossed Lid Cut Glass Inkwell Sitting In Brass Leaf H558 Measures: 4.5"w x 3.25"d x 2.5"h.
Brass
Victorian inlaid Papier Mache Mother-Of-Pearl inkstand
By Jennens and Bettridge
Located in Vancouver, BC
A nice original Victorian desk set made of papier mache having overall painted/gilded decoration including inlaid mother-of-pearl; with original glass ink bottles; English circa 1870;
Crystal
Single Antique Inkwell, Silver Plated Inkstand, Scotland 1900, B2809
Located in Vancouver, BC
Single Antique Inkwell, Silver Plated Inkstand, Scotland 1900, B2809 Scotland 1900 Silver Plated Base Single Inkwell With Thistle Engraved Top B2808 Measures: 4"W x 4"D x 2....
Silver
Antique Single Brass Inkstand, Square Base, Scotland 1910, B2778y
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique single brass inkstand, square base, Scotland 1910, B2778y Scotland 1910 Brass + Glass Embossed brass lid Shaped pen holder to the back Single glass inkwell B2778Y...
Brass
Continental Blue Ground and Gilt Porcelain Grand Tour Inkstand
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). With four views of Florence panels...
Porcelain
Antique Brass Inkstand, Art Nouveu, Ceramic Insert, Scotland 1910, B2776y
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Brass Inkstand, Art Nouveu, Ceramic Insert, Scotland 1910, B2776y Scotland 1910 Brass Single inkwell with ceramic insert Brass pen holder to the back Embossed base ...
Brass
Antique Victorian Floral Engraved Silver Plated Inkstand, Scotland 1880, B2770y
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian floral engraved silver plated inkstand, Scotland 1880, B2770y Scotland 1880 Silver plate and glass Silver plate deer on the back Pair of circular glass inkwel...
Silver Plate
Victorian Sterling Silver Large Desk Inkstand, English Hallmark:- London, 1889
Located in York, GB
English sterling silver - LARGE DESK INKSTAND. Full set of English hallmarks applied by the London Assay Office - Lion - Sterling silver guarantee mark.
Silver
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand Sheffield, 1863 Henry Wilkinson & Co
By Henry Wilkinson & Co.
Located in 53-64 Chancery Lane, London
A splendid rectangular Victorian inkstand decorated with an inner ornate galleried border and two elongated oval pen trays.
Sterling Silver
Arts + Crafts Metal Inkstand, Ink Holder And Pen Rest, Scotland, 1920
Located in Vancouver, BC
Arts + Crafts metal inkstand, ink holder and pen rest, Scotland 1920, H297 Scotland 1920 Pot metal All original Measures: 4"W x 4"D x 2"H.
Metal
19th Century Ladies Porcelain Inkstand with Flowers and Birds in Mint Condition
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Porcelain inkstand in peach color with white and gold leaf decorations.
Porcelain
Antique Brass Inkstand, Cut Glass Inkwell, Brass Lid Bat, Scotland 1910, B2773y
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique brass inkstand, cut glass inkwell, brass lid bat, Scotland 1910, B2773y Scotland 1910 Brass and glass Pen rest to the back decorated with a bat Cut glass inkwell with e...
Brass
English Mid 19th Century Burl Walnut Double Inkstand, Postal Scale and Pen Rest
Located in Wells, ME
English mid 19th century burl walnut desk organizer comprising a postal scale and six stacking weights, two cut glass inkwells with brass collars, and a penrest. This serpentine shap...
Brass
Sold|$2,389
Exceptional Regency Rosewood Ink Stand
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
A00 exceptional Regency, rosewood inkstand with the drawer, having two original inkwells with rosewood tops and original glass compartment possibly for stamps, all flanked by pen tra...
Rosewood
Art Deco Inkwell with Fish by Franjou, France
By Franjou
Located in Retie, BE
The fish sculpture is signed Franjou, alias for Hippolyte Moreau. This Inkwell or Inkstand is for his age still in very beautiful condition; the edges of the marble do have tiny tr...
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Antique English Ink, Quill & Pounce Bottles from 1792, The Rockefeller Sale
By Henry Chawner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The inkstand and bottles remain in the collection of George Washington's Mount Vernon today.
Sterling Silver
Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.
Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.
Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.
As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.
Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).
Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.
The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.
Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.
The French sculptor shaped dense blocks into tactile forms meant to be used and held.
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.