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Victorian Antique Silver Gilt 19th Century Desk Inkstand London 1839 Charles Fox
Victorian Antique Silver Gilt 19th Century Desk Inkstand London 1839 Charles Fox

Victorian Antique Silver Gilt 19th Century Desk Inkstand London 1839 Charles Fox

By Charles Fox

Located in 53-64 Chancery Lane, London

Victorian Antique Silver Gilt 19th Century Desk Inkstand London 1839 Charles Fox A truly

Category

1830s British Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver, Large Desk Inkstand by Topazio of Portugal, circa 1920
Sterling Silver, Large Desk Inkstand by Topazio of Portugal, circa 1920

Sterling Silver, Large Desk Inkstand by Topazio of Portugal, circa 1920

By Topazio

Located in York, GB

Antique Solid Silver DESK INK STAND Made in Portugal, circa 1920 by TOPAZIO and marked with the sterling silver quality mark - 0,925, also with the Topazio trade mark - a shield wit...

Category

1910s Portuguese Art Deco Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Inkstand in Gilded Bronze and Semi-Precious Stones by Otto Rohloff
Inkstand in Gilded Bronze and Semi-Precious Stones by Otto Rohloff

Inkstand in Gilded Bronze and Semi-Precious Stones by Otto Rohloff

Located in Jonquerettes, FR

Gilded bronze Desk Set composed of a large inkwell and a paperweight both decorated with semi-precious stones such as emerald, amazonite, lapis lazuli, amethyst, labradorites, tiger'...

Category

Early 20th Century German Antique Inkstands

Materials

Precious Stone

Antique Brass Stag & Hunting Hounds Double Inkwell, Scotland, 1890
Antique Brass Stag & Hunting Hounds Double Inkwell, Scotland, 1890

Antique Brass Stag & Hunting Hounds Double Inkwell, Scotland, 1890

Located in Vancouver, BC

and glass Double brass inkstand comes with a pen holder, two cut glass inkwells with brass lids

Category

1890s Scottish Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Inkwell
Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Inkwell

Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Inkwell

Located in Hudson, NY

Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Inkwell, footed inkstand with three pots and covered pen tray decorated

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

Sterling silver ink stand London 1895
Sterling silver ink stand London 1895

Sterling silver ink stand London 1895

By John Grinsell & Sons

Located in East Geelong, VIC

very crisp as can be seen in the photos below. All pieces in this inkstand are marked-the candlestick

Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wiener Werkstatte Bronze Desk Set Designed by Dagobert Peche
Wiener Werkstatte Bronze Desk Set Designed by Dagobert Peche

Wiener Werkstatte Bronze Desk Set Designed by Dagobert Peche

By Wiener Werkstätte

Located in London, GB

inkstand only. Please e-mail for further sizes.

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century French Guilloché Enamel and Gilt Silver Inkwell
Early 20th Century French Guilloché Enamel and Gilt Silver Inkwell

Early 20th Century French Guilloché Enamel and Gilt Silver Inkwell

By DREYFOUS, PARIS (worked from 1910)

Located in Brisbane, Queensland

A 20th century guilloché enamel and gilt silver inkstand by Dreyfous. This delicate inkwell

Category

1910s French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Early 19th Century Minton Hand Painted Ruby Red Inkwell
Early 19th Century Minton Hand Painted Ruby Red Inkwell

Early 19th Century Minton Hand Painted Ruby Red Inkwell

By Minton

Located in London, GB

A beautiful and stunning hand painted Inkwell or Inkstand from circa 1840s from the Minton factory

Category

Early 19th Century English Rococo Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

Victorian Novelty Silver Registered Design Shoe Bonbonniere and Seal, 1873
Victorian Novelty Silver Registered Design Shoe Bonbonniere and Seal, 1873

Victorian Novelty Silver Registered Design Shoe Bonbonniere and Seal, 1873

By Edward H. Stockwell

Located in Sittingbourne, Kent

seal, an inkstand, a spirit lamp, a lozenge box, a scent bottle, a stamp box etc. However, an advert

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Pair Gilt Bronze Andirons in the Style of Andrea Briosco (Riccio)
Pair Gilt Bronze Andirons in the Style of Andrea Briosco (Riccio)

Pair Gilt Bronze Andirons in the Style of Andrea Briosco (Riccio)

By Andrea Briosco (Riccio)

Located in Miami Beach, FL

characteristic swags and shells. The Wallace Collection (London) has a triangular bronze inkstand of similar

Category

19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Inkstands

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Regency Standish by Edwards, London, 1817
Fine Regency Standish by Edwards, London, 1817

Fine Regency Standish by Edwards, London, 1817

By David Edward

Located in New York, NY

A very fine quality goncalo alves and brass mounted portable standish (inkstand) with three

Category

19th Century English Antique Inkstands

Portable inkstand
Portable inkstand

Portable inkstand

Located in San Francisco, CA

An English ivory and brass-mounted rosewood portable inkstand, mid-19th century.

Category

19th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Silver Inkstand
Silver Inkstand

Silver Inkstand

Sold|$3,600

Silver Inkstand

By Mappin & Webb

Located in London, GB

A large sterling silver 2-Bottle Inkstand, retailed by Mappin & Webb and hallmarked London 1918

Category

1910s English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Sterling inkstand

Sterling inkstand

Located in San Francisco, CA

A Victorian pierced silver galleried inkstand Charles Stuart Harris, London, 1886/7

Category

19th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Dolphin Inkstand
Dolphin Inkstand

Dolphin Inkstand

Sold|$5,487

Dolphin Inkstand

Located in Cheshire, GB

Ram Horn and silver plate dolphin inkwell, bearing a pair of ram’s horns, mounted with plated dolphin mounts, the tail suspending a bell, the beater for which is on mounts to the fro...

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Inkstands

Materials

Oak

Henry Atkin Inkstand
Henry Atkin Inkstand

Henry Atkin Inkstand

Located in Cheshire, GB

Silver inkstand, of rectangular form, housing two cut glass wells. All raised up on stepped base

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Boulle brass inkstand
Boulle brass inkstand

Boulle brass inkstand

Located in Cheshire, GB

Boulle brass inkstand, supporting the original clear cut glass inkwell with hinged cover. Having

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Dresden Porcelain Inkstand
Dresden Porcelain Inkstand

Dresden Porcelain Inkstand

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Hand painted Dresden inkstand in chocolate brown with gold accents. The inkpot is held up by three

Category

1890s German Romantic Antique Inkstands

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand
Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand

Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand

By Joseph Rodgers & Sons

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver inkstand; an addition

Category

1910s British Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Inkstand
Chinese Export Silver Inkstand

Chinese Export Silver Inkstand

Located in London, GB

A Chinese Export Silver and wood Inkstand with dip-pen dating from around 1885. The hinged ink

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Rare Silver Cannon Inkstand
Rare Silver Cannon Inkstand

Rare Silver Cannon Inkstand

By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.

Located in London, GB

A rare and exceptional inkstand incorporating a field gun. The gun is a copy of a Napoleonic period

Category

1910s English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Victorian Boulle Marquetry Inkstand
Victorian Boulle Marquetry Inkstand

Victorian Boulle Marquetry Inkstand

Located in New Orleans, LA

A magnificent Victorian inkstand, crafted of ormolu-inlaid tortoiseshell in the distinctive style

Category

19th Century French Antique Inkstands

Fine Rosewood Brass Inkstand
Fine Rosewood Brass Inkstand

Fine Rosewood Brass Inkstand

Located in San Francisco, CA

A fine English brass-mounted calamander inkstand of large size fitted with two cut-glass

Category

19th Century English Antique Inkstands

William IV silver inkstand
William IV silver inkstand

William IV silver inkstand

By William Ker Reid

Located in London, GB

Antique silver inkstand of impressive proportions, made at the end of King William IV's reign. The

Category

19th Century British William IV Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Regency nautical bronze inkstand
Regency nautical bronze inkstand

Regency nautical bronze inkstand

Located in San Francisco, CA

An unusual Regency bronze nautical themed inkstand depicting an anchor over roped bottles with a

Category

19th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Weeks Museum Ormolu Inkstand
Weeks Museum Ormolu Inkstand

Weeks Museum Ormolu Inkstand

By Weeks Museum

Located in New Orleans, LA

This extremely rare and outstanding Regency ormolu inkstand by the Weeks Museum conceals a mahogany

Category

19th Century English Antique Inkstands

Oversized English Boulle Inkstand
Oversized English Boulle Inkstand

Oversized English Boulle Inkstand

Located in Northampton, GB

Large Sized Boulle Inkwell & Pen Tray The Inkstand with a square base having four convex faces

Category

Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Stunning antique continental porcelain inkstand
Stunning antique continental porcelain inkstand

Stunning antique continental porcelain inkstand

Located in Ipswich, GB

Stunning antique continental porcelain inkstand having a stunning quality continental inkstand

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Louis XV Inkstand
Antique French Louis XV Inkstand

Antique French Louis XV Inkstand

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique French Louis XV bronze inkstand.

Category

19th Century French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Antique Edwardian Silver Treasury Inkstand
Antique Edwardian Silver Treasury Inkstand

Antique Edwardian Silver Treasury Inkstand

By Daniel & John Wellby

Located in London, GB

A wonderful and heavy quality antique inkstand in the treasury style with cast scroll handles and

Category

1910s English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Exceptional Quality French Boulle Inkstand
Exceptional Quality French Boulle Inkstand

Exceptional Quality French Boulle Inkstand

Located in Benington, Herts

An exceptional quality French Boulle inkstand / inkwell dating to circa 1830. This beautiful

Category

1830s French Antique Inkstands

Italian Majolica Palissy-Type Inkstand
Italian Majolica Palissy-Type Inkstand

Italian Majolica Palissy-Type Inkstand

Located in Dallas, TX

Italian majolica Palissy type pottery inkstand in the form of a leaf with fruit, burds and lizard

Category

19th Century Italian Minimalist Antique Inkstands

Materials

Majolica

1924 English Brass Ship Inkstand
1924 English Brass Ship Inkstand

1924 English Brass Ship Inkstand

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

1924 brass ship inkstand, English. Featuring a Man of War in full sail just off the stone sea wall

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand

By Horace Woodward & Co. Ltd.

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

inkstand is embellished with impressive engraved decoration depicting bird designs with snake tails, amidst

Category

1870s Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Early 19th Century Empire Inkstand
Early 19th Century Empire Inkstand

Early 19th Century Empire Inkstand

Located in Paris, FR

Empire inkstand crafted of ebony, gilt bronze and crystal. Exhibiting an exquisite design of

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Inkstand
Early 19th Century Empire Inkstand

Early 19th Century Empire Inkstand

Located in Paris, FR

Empire inkstand crafted of ebony, gilt bronze and crystal. Exhibiting an exquisite design of

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Wedgwood Decorated Black Basalt Inkstand
Wedgwood Decorated Black Basalt Inkstand

Wedgwood Decorated Black Basalt Inkstand

By Wedgwood

Located in New Orleans, LA

This enchanting antique Wedgwood black basalt inkwell is crafted in the form of an ancient oil lamp. With a removable well and holes for storing pens and quills, it is decorated with...

Category

19th Century English Other Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

English mahogany and silver plate inkstand
English mahogany and silver plate inkstand

English mahogany and silver plate inkstand

Located in San Francisco, CA

An English Old Sheffield silver and mahogany inkstand retaining its original cut glass inkwells and

Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand

By Walter and John Barnard

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver gallery inkstand; an

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Georgian Style Sterling Silver Footed Inkstand
Georgian Style Sterling Silver Footed Inkstand

Georgian Style Sterling Silver Footed Inkstand

By Crichton Brothers

Located in New York, NY

Georgian style sterling silver, "bun"-footed inkstand, London, 1916, Crichton Bros. - makers. Has a

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century English Mason's Ironstone Inkstand
19th Century English Mason's Ironstone Inkstand

19th Century English Mason's Ironstone Inkstand

By Mason's Ironstone

Located in Savannah, GA

Chamfered rectangular shaped inkstand featuring gilt turned and scroll side handles, two pen trays

Category

1820s English Chinoiserie Antique Inkstands

Materials

Ironstone

Antique George III Sterling Silver Inkstand
Antique George III Sterling Silver Inkstand

Antique George III Sterling Silver Inkstand

By Joseph Craddock 1, William Ker Reid

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George III sterling silver and glass inkstand; an

Category

1810s British George III Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Inkstand, Antique Victorian '1851'
Sterling Silver Inkstand, Antique Victorian '1851'

Sterling Silver Inkstand, Antique Victorian '1851'

By Henry Wilkinson & Co.

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

. James Haldane Stewart, Rector of Limpsfield, Surrey'. This silver Victorian inkstand is ornamented

Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique English Officers Horse Hoof Inkstand
Antique English Officers Horse Hoof Inkstand

Antique English Officers Horse Hoof Inkstand

Located in Forney, TX

variety of collectors, including military folk art - historical militaria, taxidermy, inkstand, Victorian

Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate, Iron

Regency Silver Mounted Yew Inkstand, 1816
Regency Silver Mounted Yew Inkstand, 1816

Regency Silver Mounted Yew Inkstand, 1816

Located in Astoria, NY

Regency Silver Mounted Yew Wood Ink Stand, struck with marks for Birmingham, 1816, and partially legible maker's hallmark, the wood stand with single drawer and key, with silver top ...

Category

1810s British Regency Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Rare Empire Ormolu Inkstand Clock Candlestick
Rare Empire Ormolu Inkstand Clock Candlestick

Rare Empire Ormolu Inkstand Clock Candlestick

Located in Kittery Point, ME

The circular base fitted with three inkwell compartments, the finely chased stem with an unmarked round clock and ending in a nozzle, mounted as a lamp.

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Antique Victorian Rare Sterling Silver Inkstand / Centrepiece
Antique Victorian Rare Sterling Silver Inkstand / Centrepiece

Antique Victorian Rare Sterling Silver Inkstand / Centrepiece

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

inkstand; an addition to our ornamental Victorian silverware collection. This magnificent, fine and

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

Bronze Inkstand modeled as a stalking cat
Bronze Inkstand modeled as a stalking cat

Bronze Inkstand modeled as a stalking cat

Located in Montreal, QC

An amusing large bronze inkstand by Dominic Alonzo, modeled as a cat stalking lovebirds, ready to

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkstands

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Early 19th Century Brass Inlaid Desk Inkstand
Early 19th Century Brass Inlaid Desk Inkstand

Early 19th Century Brass Inlaid Desk Inkstand

Located in London, GB

This superb and beautifully designed early 19th century inkstand is made of rosewood with an

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Desk Standish
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Desk Standish

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Desk Standish

By Edward & John Barnard

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver inkstand / desk

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

"Turtle Back" Double Inkstand by Tiffany Studios
"Turtle Back" Double Inkstand by Tiffany Studios

"Turtle Back" Double Inkstand by Tiffany Studios

By Tiffany Studios

Located in New York, NY

A Tiffany Studios New York Art Nouveau patinated bronze and turtleback tile inkstand by Tiffany

Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Antique Sterling Silver and Glass Desk Inkstand
Antique Sterling Silver and Glass Desk Inkstand

Antique Sterling Silver and Glass Desk Inkstand

By John Edward Wilmot

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

and Crafts style inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent

Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

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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.