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Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Bears Inkstand 19th Century
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Bears Inkstand 19th Century

Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Bears Inkstand 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This charming antique Black Forest inkstand dates from circa 1880. Beautifully modelled, hand

Category

1880s Antique Inkstands

Materials

Wood

Viennese Cold-Painted Bronze and Marble Inkstand by Franz Xaver Bergman
Viennese Cold-Painted Bronze and Marble Inkstand by Franz Xaver Bergman

Viennese Cold-Painted Bronze and Marble Inkstand by Franz Xaver Bergman

By Franz Xaver Bergman (Bergmann)

Located in London, GB

Viennese cold-painted bronze and marble inkstand by Franz Xaver Bergman Austrian, c. 1910 Height

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk, Sweden
Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk, Sweden

Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk, Sweden

By Gusums Bruk

Located in Knivsta, SE

Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk in Sweden. Manufactured during the early

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Victorian sterling silver inkstand with gallery border - London 1900
Victorian sterling silver inkstand with gallery border - London 1900

Victorian sterling silver inkstand with gallery border - London 1900

By William Hutton & Sons

Located in London, London

Hallmarked in London in 1900 by William Hutton & Sons, this attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand, features a shared and pierced gallery style border, and two cut ...

Category

Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Silver & Cut Glass Inkstand Inkwell Desk Tidy London 1895
Antique Victorian Silver & Cut Glass Inkstand Inkwell Desk Tidy London 1895

Antique Victorian Silver & Cut Glass Inkstand Inkwell Desk Tidy London 1895

By Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd.

Located in London, GB

A magnificent Antique Victorian Silver Inkstand with two cut glass and Silver lidded Inkwells. The

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Chinoiserie Porcelain Figural Inkstand, Jacob Petit, circa 1840
French Chinoiserie Porcelain Figural Inkstand, Jacob Petit, circa 1840

French Chinoiserie Porcelain Figural Inkstand, Jacob Petit, circa 1840

Located in New York, NY

With removable globe cover revealing a removable ink-pot. The Chinese Buddha holding a quill holder in his left hand.

Category

1840s French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

Rare 18th Century German Faience Rococo Encrier Inkstand Stockelsdorf
Rare 18th Century German Faience Rococo Encrier Inkstand Stockelsdorf

Rare 18th Century German Faience Rococo Encrier Inkstand Stockelsdorf

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

The form of this rare encrier is based on the model of the known faience master Johann Georg Buchwald, who produced it first in the manufacture of Marieberg, later also in Eckernförd...

Category

Late 18th Century German Rococo Antique Inkstands

Materials

Faience

Victorian Marble Inkwell Sienna Yellow Inkstand Desk Set Antique Louis XVI
Victorian Marble Inkwell Sienna Yellow Inkstand Desk Set Antique Louis XVI

Victorian Marble Inkwell Sienna Yellow Inkstand Desk Set Antique Louis XVI

Located in Wommelgem, VAN

An Antique Sienna marble inkwell / inkstand Very well shaped and decorative Made Of yellow and

Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Inkstands

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Japonais Revival Coppered Inkstand with Hand Carved Glass Ink Wells
Japonais Revival Coppered Inkstand with Hand Carved Glass Ink Wells

Japonais Revival Coppered Inkstand with Hand Carved Glass Ink Wells

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Antique coppered Japonais Revival inkstand with two ink pots and a stamp holder. The border of the

Category

1890s English Japonisme Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass, Copper

Empire Inkstand Oil Lamp Acchanthus Palm Leaves Ormulu Bronze Marble
Empire Inkstand Oil Lamp Acchanthus Palm Leaves Ormulu Bronze Marble

Empire Inkstand Oil Lamp Acchanthus Palm Leaves Ormulu Bronze Marble

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This delightful inkstand in the shape of an ancient oil lamp is of particularily wonderful quality

Category

1810s French Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Exceptional Early Victorian English Sterling Silver Inkstand by Henry Wilkinson
Exceptional Early Victorian English Sterling Silver Inkstand by Henry Wilkinson

Exceptional Early Victorian English Sterling Silver Inkstand by Henry Wilkinson

By Henry Wilkinson & Co.

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A rare Early Victorian sterling silver inkstand or standish by Henry Wilkinson. Retaining its

Category

19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand
18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand

By Matthew Boulton

Located in Forney, TX

A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co
Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co

Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co

By Gibson & Langman

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Antique silver inkstand inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. Plain rectangular form

Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

A George V silver double inkstand presented to Major Seymour Egerton
A George V silver double inkstand presented to Major Seymour Egerton

A George V silver double inkstand presented to Major Seymour Egerton

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A George V silver double inkstand presented to Major Seymour Egerton, Coldstream Guards, by Prince

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co
Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co

Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co

By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.

Located in Toronto, ON

Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. Plain rectangular form

Category

1890s Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Victorian Period Sterling Silver Footed Cherub-Motif Inkstand By William Comyns
Victorian Period Sterling Silver Footed Cherub-Motif Inkstand By William Comyns

Victorian Period Sterling Silver Footed Cherub-Motif Inkstand By William Comyns

By William Comyns & Sons 1

Located in New York, NY

Outstanding, Victorian Period, sterling silver, footed inkstand with matching sterling silver

Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form
WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form

WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in London, GB

WMF. Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand. Germany. The inkstand is of rectangular organic form

Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Materials

Pewter

Papier Mâché Inkstand w/ Drawer & Crystal Inkwells English Jennens & Bettridge
Papier Mâché Inkstand w/ Drawer & Crystal Inkwells English Jennens & Bettridge

Papier Mâché Inkstand w/ Drawer & Crystal Inkwells English Jennens & Bettridge

By Jennens and Bettridge

Located in Savannah, GA

This high quality Papier-Mache desk set is beautifully hand painted in a floral motif and features inlaid mother of pearl and the original pair of cut glass inkwells with brass tops....

Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form
WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form

WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in London, GB

WMF. Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand. Germany. The inkstand is of rectangular organic

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Materials

Pewter

Antique Silvered Inkwell With Bust, 19th Century, France, Double Inkstand
Antique Silvered Inkwell With Bust, 19th Century, France, Double Inkstand

Antique Silvered Inkwell With Bust, 19th Century, France, Double Inkstand

Located in Greven, DE

Beautiful inkwell with a small bust in the center and two glass inkwells on its sides. Nicely silvered and cleaned condition. France, 19th century.

Category

19th Century French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Antique Double Inkstand With Glass Inserts, Gutta-Percha, France, Circa 1880
Antique Double Inkstand With Glass Inserts, Gutta-Percha, France, Circa 1880

Antique Double Inkstand With Glass Inserts, Gutta-Percha, France, Circa 1880

Located in Greven, DE

Beautiful antique inkstand with two crystal inkwells. The base and the lids are made of gutta

Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Glass, Resin

Military WWI British MkIV Tank Bronze Desk Inkstand, circa 1918
Military WWI British MkIV Tank Bronze Desk Inkstand, circa 1918

Military WWI British MkIV Tank Bronze Desk Inkstand, circa 1918

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

WWI British Military MkIV tank, circa 1918 Marble and bronze desk inkstand. High details. Pen not

Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Antique Inkstands

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810
Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810

Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A fine Russian Empire gilt- and patinated bronze desk top inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810

Category

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

The early Victorian silver Rococo Revival inkstand of General Charles Nepean
The early Victorian silver Rococo Revival inkstand of General Charles Nepean

The early Victorian silver Rococo Revival inkstand of General Charles Nepean

By Robinson, Edkins, & Aston

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

The early Victorian silver Rococo Revival inkstand of General Charles Nepean, of rectangular form

Category

19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Antique Print of an Inkstand Decorated with Figures by Delange '1869'
Antique Print of an Inkstand Decorated with Figures by Delange '1869'

Antique Print of an Inkstand Decorated with Figures by Delange '1869'

Located in Langweer, NL

plate of an inkstand decorated with figures. This print originates from 'Recueil de Faiences Italiennes

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Inkstands

Materials

Paper

French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand

French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand

Located in Miami, FL

Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mark on the bottom is of exceptional qual...

Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

French gilt bronze and marble inkstand of a majestic lioness, circa 1850
French gilt bronze and marble inkstand of a majestic lioness, circa 1850

French gilt bronze and marble inkstand of a majestic lioness, circa 1850

Located in Central England, GB

This highly decorative mid 19th century desk inkstand is in the form of a recumbent lioness. She is

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkstands

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid
Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid

Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Fabulous, rare, sterling silver (.950) Art Nouveau, Martele inkstand with ball feet and hinged lid

Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Jugendstil J.P. Kayser Inkstand / Inkwell with Great Hamlet & Skull Sculpture
Jugendstil J.P. Kayser Inkstand / Inkwell with Great Hamlet & Skull Sculpture

Jugendstil J.P. Kayser Inkstand / Inkwell with Great Hamlet & Skull Sculpture

By Hugo Leven, J.P. Kayser Sohn

Located in Lisse, NL

with its amazing patina and you get one of the most artistic and desirable inkstands we have ever seen

Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Antique Inkstands

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Malachite and Ormolu Inkstand Encrier Swans
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Malachite and Ormolu Inkstand Encrier Swans

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Malachite and Ormolu Inkstand Encrier Swans

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered inkstand from the first quarter of the

Category

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Antique French Porcelain Jacob Petite Desk Set Inkstand Provenance Ava Gardner
Antique French Porcelain Jacob Petite Desk Set Inkstand Provenance Ava Gardner

Antique French Porcelain Jacob Petite Desk Set Inkstand Provenance Ava Gardner

By Jacob Petit

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Stunning French Lavish Gilt Porcelain Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions, made by renowned French porcelain maker Jacob Petit. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Centur...

Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand

Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand

Located in Kennesaw, GA

inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneers. The piece is

Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Inkstands

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Antique German Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Rosso Antico Marble Ormolu Burgstaller
Antique German Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Rosso Antico Marble Ormolu Burgstaller

Antique German Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Rosso Antico Marble Ormolu Burgstaller

By George Josef Burgstaller

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Stunning Chisel Cast Austrian or German Neo-Classical Ormolu and Rosso Antico Marble Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions, by George Josef Burgstaller, Late Nineteent...

Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkstands

Materials

Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze

George IV Bachelor Inkstand Made in Sheffield by Thomas & James Settle, 1822
George IV Bachelor Inkstand Made in Sheffield by Thomas & James Settle, 1822

George IV Bachelor Inkstand Made in Sheffield by Thomas & James Settle, 1822

Located in London, GB

In the manner of Paul Storr. A very rare George IV Bachelor Inkstand made in Sheffield in 1822 by

Category

19th Century English George IV Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

A Very Good 19th Century Cut Glass & Sterling Silver Inkstand / Capstan
A Very Good 19th Century Cut Glass & Sterling Silver Inkstand / Capstan

A Very Good 19th Century Cut Glass & Sterling Silver Inkstand / Capstan

By Charles Boyton II

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

The robust globular shaped & cut glass body is fitted with a sterling silver collar & hinged lid, the interior retains its original removable glass reservoir. The inkwell si...

Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Inkstand and Pen Holder with Dog in Kennel and Boy
French Inkstand and Pen Holder with Dog in Kennel and Boy

French Inkstand and Pen Holder with Dog in Kennel and Boy

Located in London, GB

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. ...

Category

1850s French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

A 19th century  French Empire green figured marble and ormolu inkstand C 1870
A 19th century  French Empire green figured marble and ormolu inkstand C 1870

A 19th century French Empire green figured marble and ormolu inkstand C 1870

Located in Central England, GB

This very stylish French Empire gilt bronze and marble inkstand is a fine example. It is made from

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkstands

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique French Regency Grand Tour Bronze Crystal Desk Set Inkstand Encrier 19Ct
Antique French Regency Grand Tour Bronze Crystal Desk Set Inkstand Encrier 19Ct

Antique French Regency Grand Tour Bronze Crystal Desk Set Inkstand Encrier 19Ct

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Stunning Heavy Gauge Chisel Cast French Grand Tour German Neo-Classical Bronze and Crystal Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...

Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Vieille Garde Sculpture on Inkstand by A. Le Véel and Susse Frères
19th Century Vieille Garde Sculpture on Inkstand by A. Le Véel and Susse Frères

19th Century Vieille Garde Sculpture on Inkstand by A. Le Véel and Susse Frères

By Susse Freres, Armand LeVeel 1

Located in North Miami, FL

Late 19th century Napoleon III 'Vieille Garde' sculpture with inkwells and marble base inkstand by

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkstands

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin

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Antique Inkstands For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique inkstands is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, silver and bronze, all antique inkstands available were constructed with great care. Antique inkstands have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Antique inkstands bearing Victorian or Georgian hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many antique inkstands are appealing in their simplicity, but Walter and John Barnard, Charles Fox and Elkington & Co. produced popular antique inkstands that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Inkstands?

Antique inkstands can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $2,044, while the lowest priced sells for $76 and the highest can go for as much as $102,083.

Finding the Right Desk-accessories for You

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.

Questions About Antique Inkstands
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An inkwell is a small jar or container made to conveniently hold ink for a writer. Inkwells were often made of glass, pewter, brass or porcelain. You’ll find a variety of inkells from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.