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ITALIAN 1820 Grand Tour Inkwell In Marble Carved Lava & Vesuvius Gouache
ITALIAN 1820 Grand Tour Inkwell In Marble Carved Lava & Vesuvius Gouache

ITALIAN 1820 Grand Tour Inkwell In Marble Carved Lava & Vesuvius Gouache

Located in Miami, FL

An unusual antique gran-tour inkstand with Vesuvius gouache. This a very rare circular inkstand

Category

1820s Italian Grand Tour Antique Inkstands

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Lava, Bronze, Gold

Sterling Silver Taper Chamber Candlestick - Antique William IV
Sterling Silver Taper Chamber Candlestick - Antique William IV

Sterling Silver Taper Chamber Candlestick - Antique William IV

By Robinson, Edkins, & Aston

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

. This style of taperstick is traditionally mounted to the centre of an inkstand. Dimensions

Category

1860s Great Britain (UK) William IV Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Brass Mounted Mahogany Writing Slope by N Middleton c1825
Brass Mounted Mahogany Writing Slope by N Middleton c1825

Brass Mounted Mahogany Writing Slope by N Middleton c1825

Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB

Desks, Ebony Inkstands, Improved Crayon pencils for Drawing in Colours.’ Size :50.5cm x 25.8cm

Category

1820s British Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Wood

Antique Brass and Jasperware Desk Set James Howell, 19th Century
Antique Brass and Jasperware Desk Set James Howell, 19th Century

Antique Brass and Jasperware Desk Set James Howell, 19th Century

By James Howell

Located in London, GB

x depth 11 stationary box Height 20 x width 20 x depth 20 inkstand Height 24 x width 19 x depth 2

Category

1860s English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Antique Silver and Bohemian Coloured Glass Desk Standish
Antique Silver and Bohemian Coloured Glass Desk Standish

Antique Silver and Bohemian Coloured Glass Desk Standish

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

from the shaped rim. This silver inkstand is supported by four impressive embossed feet, modelled in

Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Large Rococo Ormolu Antique French Clock, Music
Large Rococo Ormolu Antique French Clock, Music

Large Rococo Ormolu Antique French Clock, Music

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

furnishing objects, including fire dogs, wall lights and inkstands. Several examples of their work can be

Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Inkstands

Materials

Ormolu

The Duke of Northumberland’s silver Lifeboat by Garrard & Co, 1852
The Duke of Northumberland’s silver Lifeboat by Garrard & Co, 1852

The Duke of Northumberland’s silver Lifeboat by Garrard & Co, 1852

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

This solid silver inkstand is presented as a model of the Beeching-Peake SR (self-righting

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley
Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley

Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley

By Elkington & Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

. The charming inkstand was designed by Walter & John Barnard for the royal silversmiths Elkington & Co

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Napoleon III Boulle Inkstand
Napoleon III Boulle Inkstand

Napoleon III Boulle Inkstand

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular with two cut glass inkwells and pen tray over a drawer. The sides rounded. The inspiration for the decoration from designs by the master cabinet maker Andre Charles Boull...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Regency Ebony And Brass Inkstand
Regency Ebony And Brass Inkstand

Regency Ebony And Brass Inkstand

Located in Essex, MA

With scrolled cast handle over two bottle wells and two pen trays , over a drawer , bun feet.

Category

19th Century British Regency Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass, Bronze

European Bronze Crab Form Inkstand
European Bronze Crab Form Inkstand

European Bronze Crab Form Inkstand

Located in Essex, MA

Very realistically posed with a hinged cover that opens to expose an inkwell.

Category

1880s European Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Nineteenth Century Cobalt Porcelain Inkstand
Nineteenth Century Cobalt Porcelain Inkstand

Nineteenth Century Cobalt Porcelain Inkstand

Located in Toronto, CA

This is a lovely porcelain ink stand, most probably French, from the nineteenth century. Brilliant cobalt ground with glorious, hand-painted floral and gilded decoration, and bronze ...

Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Bronze and Ebonized Wood Double Inkstand
Bronze and Ebonized Wood Double Inkstand

Bronze and Ebonized Wood Double Inkstand

Located in Lambertville, NJ

An equestrian themed bronze and wood double inkstand. The footed base supporting the oval black

Category

19th Century European Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon´S Tomb Inkstand Desk Piece
Napoleon´S Tomb Inkstand Desk Piece

Napoleon´S Tomb Inkstand Desk Piece

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

Napoleonic inkstand, silvered cast iron model of Napoleon's Tomb, fourth quarter of the 19th

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkstands

Materials

Metal

French Empire Blue and Gilt Porcelain Inkstand
French Empire Blue and Gilt Porcelain Inkstand

French Empire Blue and Gilt Porcelain Inkstand

Located in New York, NY

French Empire blue and gilt porcelain inkstand. Circular inkstand with glass inkwell insert, holes

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain, Cut Glass

Empire Style Silver Double Inkwells Tray/Inkstand
Empire Style Silver Double Inkwells Tray/Inkstand

Empire Style Silver Double Inkwells Tray/Inkstand

Located in Guaynabo, PR

engraved silver feathers pens embellish the inkstand. There is a rectangular concave area in the front that

Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Empire Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Antique 19th Century English Regency Style Inkstand
Antique 19th Century English Regency Style Inkstand

Antique 19th Century English Regency Style Inkstand

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Beautiful rosewood inkstand with 2 glass inkwells with a center square glass canister. The top with

Category

1880s English Regency Antique Inkstands

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Antique silver plated golf inkstand, golfing inkwell
Antique silver plated golf inkstand, golfing inkwell

Antique silver plated golf inkstand, golfing inkwell

Located in NEWARK, GB

An interesting antique Edwardian era silver plated inkstand. A heavy and substantial piece, very

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Scottish Sterling Silver Desk Inkstand
Antique Victorian Scottish Sterling Silver Desk Inkstand

Antique Victorian Scottish Sterling Silver Desk Inkstand

By J B Cameron

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

the undulating, shaped rim. This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive

Category

1830s British Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

White Pate-sur-Pate Enameled French Porcelain Inkstand
White Pate-sur-Pate Enameled French Porcelain Inkstand

White Pate-sur-Pate Enameled French Porcelain Inkstand

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

French porcelain inkstand with double inkpots in a soft sea foam color. The decoration is in white

Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

1900s Art Nouveau Solid Brass German Inkstand
1900s Art Nouveau Solid Brass German Inkstand

1900s Art Nouveau Solid Brass German Inkstand

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in Catania, Sicilia

A particular Jugendstil brass inkwell made in Germany in 1900. Brass it's in original patina.

Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Paris Porcelain Inkstand Decorated with Sitting Dog
Paris Porcelain Inkstand Decorated with Sitting Dog

Paris Porcelain Inkstand Decorated with Sitting Dog

By Jacob Petit

Located in Paris, FR

Inkwell made of porcelain from Paris in Jacob Petit’s style. This unusual inkwell is composed of two parts. The bottom, which has five scroll-shaped feet, has two wells for ink and s...

Category

1840s French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Porcelain

Napoléon III Set Inkstand and Pair of Candlesticks
Napoléon III Set Inkstand and Pair of Candlesticks

Napoléon III Set Inkstand and Pair of Candlesticks

Located in Paris, FR

Louis XV-style desk set composed of a gilt and patinated bronze inkstand and two matching

Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Regency Brass-Mounted Rosewood Inkstand, Early 19th Century
Regency Brass-Mounted Rosewood Inkstand, Early 19th Century

Regency Brass-Mounted Rosewood Inkstand, Early 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

Regency brass-mounted rosewood inkstand with cornucopia handle, two brass covered inkwells, pen

Category

Early 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Regency Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand - 19th Century Heavily Chased Brass
Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand - 19th Century Heavily Chased Brass

Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand - 19th Century Heavily Chased Brass

Located in Atlanta, GA

President Abraham Lincoln sat at a desk in the War Department telegraph office and with this inkstand began

Category

Mid-19th Century British Rococo Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Antique French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Standish Inkstand
Antique French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Standish Inkstand

Antique French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Standish Inkstand

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful antique French ormolu inkstand, mounted with Bleu Celeste Sèvres Porcelain

Category

1870s French Antique Inkstands

Materials

Ormolu

Arts & Crafts Walker & Hall Silver-plated Inkstand, circa 1890
Arts & Crafts Walker & Hall Silver-plated Inkstand, circa 1890

Arts & Crafts Walker & Hall Silver-plated Inkstand, circa 1890

By Walker & Hall

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A stylish Arts & Crafts silver-plated desk stand comprising of two glass lidded inkwells together with a pen recess. The set is of rectangular shaped raised on four rounded feet with...

Category

1890s English Arts and Crafts Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century Victorian Silver Inkstand Sheffiels 1897 by Harry Wright Atkin
19th Century Victorian Silver Inkstand Sheffiels 1897 by Harry Wright Atkin

19th Century Victorian Silver Inkstand Sheffiels 1897 by Harry Wright Atkin

Located in Milano, MI

inkstand has a rectangular form and stands on four impressive feral feet. The sides of the inkwell have

Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Samuel Kirk & Son Floral Repouse 11oz Silver & Crystal Inkstand, circa 1860
Samuel Kirk & Son Floral Repouse 11oz Silver & Crystal Inkstand, circa 1860

Samuel Kirk & Son Floral Repouse 11oz Silver & Crystal Inkstand, circa 1860

By Kirk Silver Company

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Samuel Kirk & Son Floral Repouse 11oz Silver & Crystal Inkstand, circa 1860 Baltimore, USA A

Category

19th Century American High Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Antique WMF Jugendstil Sphinx Theme Egyptian Revival Inkstand with Glass Liner
Antique WMF Jugendstil Sphinx Theme Egyptian Revival Inkstand with Glass Liner

Antique WMF Jugendstil Sphinx Theme Egyptian Revival Inkstand with Glass Liner

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in Lisse, NL

Stylish, rare and mint Egyptian Revival brass desk piece. This completely original WMF inkstand

Category

Early 20th Century German Egyptian Revival Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass

Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble

Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Period Double Inkstand of rectangular outline and compact proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth

Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkstands

Materials

Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze

Large Antique Cold Painted Vienna Bronze Horse Sculpture Inkstand Attr. Bergmann
Large Antique Cold Painted Vienna Bronze Horse Sculpture Inkstand Attr. Bergmann

Large Antique Cold Painted Vienna Bronze Horse Sculpture Inkstand Attr. Bergmann

By Franz Bergmann

Located in Lisse, NL

Stylish, rare and top quality workmanship desk piece. This antique is not only rare, stunning, original and top quality made, it also is very decorative and highly collectible. Bo...

Category

19th Century Austrian Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique English Silver Inkstand Cut-Glass Wells J Dixon 1899, 19th Century
Antique English Silver Inkstand Cut-Glass Wells J Dixon 1899, 19th Century

Antique English Silver Inkstand Cut-Glass Wells J Dixon 1899, 19th Century

By James Dixon & Sons

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful antique sterling silver inkstand with hallmarks for Sheffield 1899 and the

Category

1890s English Antique Inkstands

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand Pen Holder
19th Century Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand Pen Holder

19th Century Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand Pen Holder

Located in Philadelphia, PA

19th century, French Louis XV style figural cast bronze double inkwell pen holder. Item features cast bronze lions and central face, double inkwell with glass inserts, pen holder, an...

Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

Antique Art Nouveau English Sterling Silver Crystal Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set
Antique Art Nouveau English Sterling Silver Crystal Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set

Antique Art Nouveau English Sterling Silver Crystal Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set

Located in Dublin, Ireland

A Superb Example of an English heavy gauge Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Period boat shaped single hand cut crystal Ink Bottle Desk Standish of generous size, complete with hinged cove...

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Antique Art Deco English Sterling Silver Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set London, 1910
Antique Art Deco English Sterling Silver Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set London, 1910

Antique Art Deco English Sterling Silver Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set London, 1910

Located in Dublin, Ireland

and scrolling detail. The surface of inkstand incorporates two full length concave pen receivers

Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Antique Inkstands

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880
A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880

A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880 for Presentation to the

Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkstands

Materials

Silver

Art Deco Chromed Metal and Makassar Ebony Desk Lamp
Art Deco Chromed Metal and Makassar Ebony Desk Lamp

Art Deco Chromed Metal and Makassar Ebony Desk Lamp

Located in Paris, FR

inkstand composed of two inkwells and a pen holder, circa 1930 Dimensions: W 10.2 in, D 5.9in, H 12.6in

Category

Early 19th Century French Art Deco Antique Inkstands

Materials

Metal

Tiffany Studios Ten-Piece "Zodiac" Desk Set
Tiffany Studios Ten-Piece "Zodiac" Desk Set

Tiffany Studios Ten-Piece "Zodiac" Desk Set

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Mt Kisco, NY

, paper rack, match stand, octagonal inkstand, memoranda pad, stamp box and large blotter ends. All are of

Category

Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Inkstands

Materials

Bronze

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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.