Art Deco Geometric Squared Base Chrome & Bakelite Fountain Pen signed Esterbrook
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional Art Deco fountain pen, crafted by Esterbrook in America circa 1935, embodies the sleek geometric design principles of the period, combining functionality with forwar...
Chrome
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
Malachite, Bronze
4 pcs Art Deco Bakelite Writing Desk Set 1920
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Art deco bakelite set of 4 pcs., 1920th
Bakelite
Sold
H 5 in W 3.25 in D 7.5 in
Art Deco Chrome, Lucite & Black Bakelite Fountain Pen signed Esterbrook
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite fountain pen by Esterbrook, crafted circa 1935, exemplifies the elegance and innovation of the Art Deco era. Made with a combination of chrome, lucite, and black bakel...
Chrome
French Art Deco Macassar and Bakelite Fox Terrier Inkwell, 1930
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Macassar and bakelite inkwell, France, circa 1930. Macassar, bakelite and glass.
Glass, Bakelite, Macassar
Vintage Bakelite Pen Holder, 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Bakelite pen holder. Includes its original 2 pens. Excellent condition.
Bakelite
Bakelite Stamps Storage, circa 1930, Vintage Desk Utensils Box
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful stamps box or utensils box made from bakelite. Bakelite is the original form of the plastic used now. Very good condition. .
Bakelite
French Art Deco Ink Well with Amber Phenolic Scottie Dog
Located in London, GB
Art Deco desk accessories. French Art Deco ink well with amber phenolic Scottie dog Measures: H 9 cm, W 15 cm, D 9 cm circa 1930.
Bakelite, Rosewood
$394
H 2.37 in W 10.63 in D 5.52 in
Art Deco Inkwell with Original Inkwell Glass, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Art Deco inkwell with original inkwell glass vienna around 1920s. Original inkwell glass. Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
$330 / item
H 1 in W 11 in D 4 in
Crystal Pen Tray with Brass Accents – Luxury Clear Pen Holder for Desk
By DAINTE INC
Located in Monroe, NY
Elevate your workspace with the Crystal Pen Tray, a modern and sophisticated pen holder for desk organization that combines the brilliance of clear crystal with polished brass accent...
Crystal, Brass
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
Art Deco Chrome and Bakelite Portable Flashlight "Masterlite" by Eveready
Located in New York, NY
This Art Deco "Masterlite" flashlight by Eveready is a striking example of industrial design from the 1930s, blending functionality with the streamlined aesthetics characteristic of ...
Chrome
$927Sale Price / set|45% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 7.49 in
English Sterling Silver Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Fountain Pen
By Haviland & Co.
Located in Reading, Berkshire
English Sterling Silver Haviland-Nye Hallmarked Fountain Pen With A Schmidt Medium Nib, With A Black Tooled Leather Box. Designed 2002 London Specifically for H.R.H Queen Elizabeth ...
Sterling Silver
Black and White Glass Inkwell
Located in Wien, Au
Black and white glass ink well Brass nickel platend
Brass
$1,650
H 4.75 in W 6.01 in D 6.01 in
AUSTRIAN 1920 Art-Deco Desk Inkwell In Cut Polished Glass And .800 Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
A Viennese Austrian art deco desk inkwell. This is a beautiful desk inkwell created in Vienna Austria during the art deco period, between the 1918 and 1922. This Viennese inkwell wa...
Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Inkwell Glass and Nickel Combination Around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Inkwell glass and nickel combination around 1920s Original condition.
Nickel
$1,185
H 3.58 in W 3.54 in D 2.52 in
Ronson 1939 Art Deco Table Touch Tip Octette Lighter Machine Age Bakelite Steel
By Louis Vincent Aronson, Ronson Art Metal Works
Located in Miami, FL
An Octette desk lighter designed by Ronson. This Ronson Touch-Tip Octette table lighter was made between 1935 and 1951 by the Ronson Art Metal Works Inc. located in Newark, New Jers...
Steel, Chrome
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Glass
French Louis XV1 Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Montreal, QC
This luxurious encrier de bureau is raised on scrolling and leafy feet mounting a malachite-finished base. The tray itself is modelled as a shell rising to a spring-loaded pen holder...
Malachite, Bronze
Art Deco Inkwell Vienna, circa 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Art Deco inkwell Vienna, circa 1920s Original condition.
Metal, Nickel
$87,430Sale Price|30% Off
H 7 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, ...
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,607
H 3.75 in W 4.34 in D 2.56 in
Art Deco Ronson Octette Touch Tip Table Lighter With Black Enamel & Chrome Case
By Ronson
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Art Deco Ronson Octette Touch Tip Table Lighter With Black Enamel & Chrome Case - US PAT 1986754 Made at Art Metal Works Inc, Newark NY, USA Base and fitments of polished chr...
Enamel, Chrome
$1,114
H 0.79 in Dm 7.49 in
Sterling Silver Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Fountain Pen A Haviland-Nye
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Sterling Silver A Haviland-Nye Hallmarked Fountain Pen With A Schmidt Medium Nib, With A Black Tooled Leather Box Hallmarked A Haviland-Nye 2002 London Made Specially for H.R.H Qu...
Brass
$905
H 7.49 in W 7.49 in D 2.76 in
Antique Napoléon III. Inkwell from Bronze and Porcelain, Paris, France, 1839
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional antique Inkwell with rich bronze ornaments and three porcelain vessels. The ink jars are painted in a beautiful rich green and embellished with gold colour. France, 1839....
Bronze
Art Deco Catalin Phenolic Bakelite Lamp, circa 1930s
Located in Devon, England
Original Art Deco Catalin phenolic bakelite table lamp dating to the 1930s. As you can see in the images this is a superb looking lamp, and is in fantastic condition. Shade is a nice...
Chrome
$2,250 / set
H 4.5 in W 11.5 in D 7.5 in
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 Boulton, displaying all of the timeless elegance and sophisticated style the perio...
Silver Plate
$59,700 / set
H 32 in W 16 in D 12 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Rouge Griotte Marble and Ormolu Clock Set
By Raingo Frères
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Large Antique French 19th Century Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock set of exquisite craftsmanship. This spectacular clock set is comprising a pair of very large ni...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$3,800Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 10.63 in Dm 12.6 in
19th Century Sèvres Porcelain Dinner Set with Comital Coronet
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite 52-piece porcelain dinner service, crafted by Sèvres in the 19th century, exemplifies the refined artistry and heritage of French porcelain. Each piece features a hand...
Porcelain
Rare German Art Deco Desk Set, 1940's, Set of 4
Located in Lisboa, PT
This rare desk set was designed and produced in Germany, during the 1940's. It consists on a knives holder, with three knives, a letter holder, an ashtray and cigarettes holder and a...
Brass
Restoration period mahogany-veneered sofa bed with canopy
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Restoration-period mahogany-veneered boat-shaped sofa-bed with slightly inverted headboard. The front is soberly adorned with an ormolu plaque featuring scrolls and fleurons framing ...
Bronze
Fabergé Silver Service
By Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary 128-piece service by Fabergé is a rare treasure in more ways than one. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and in pristine c...
Silver
Victorian Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite English vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage, the case features a lux...
Velvet, Glass, Wood
$348,423
H 165.36 in W 290.56 in D 216.54 in
Louis XVI Style Panelling with Louis XVI Period Mantel and Trumeau
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare Napoleon III style paneled room in blackened wood (stained beech) with its fireplace in stucco in imitation of porphyry. The fireplace, which is the centerpiece of this paneled...
Bronze
Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner Service
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Antique Meissen 68-piece floral dinner service German, c. 1900 Largest serving dish: Height 6cm, width 52.5cm, depth 37.5cm Square salad bowl: Height 9.5cm, width 22cm, depth 22cm...
Porcelain
Inkwell travel desk Islamic symbols
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Inkwell travel desk Islamic symbols Inkwell with Islamic symbols Circa 1900 Origin France Middle East Gold and silver patina with Islamic symbols and monograms Very good general cond...
Bronze
Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Decanter Set by Baccarat
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine and decorative gilt-bronze and cut-glass decanter set by La Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat. The set consisting of four decanters and sixteen glasses each finely fa...
Ormolu
$550,000
H 37 in W 22 in D 14 in
Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock
By Winterhalder and Hofmeier
Located in Danville, CA
Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock An important, exhibition quality ormolu bronze bracket clock of massive proportions, the case decorated...
Bronze
$16,884
H 11.5 in W 16 in D 6.5 in
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mother-of-Pearl and Marquetry Drinks Box
Located in London, GB
A Fine Napoleon III Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid and Marquetry Drinks Box Of serpentine rectangular form, veneered primarily with burr yew, and tulipwood crossbanding, thuya wood, ebony a...
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Tulipwood, Yew
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique Maire and the silversmith Jacques-Br...
Crystal, Silver
$125,000 / set
H 44 in W 17 in D 14 in
Palatial Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze Mounted Sèvres Style Porcelain Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Palatial Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Sèvres Style Cobalt Blue Porcelain Vases and Covers Each of baluster form with domed cover with pine cone finial, above a wa...
Bronze, Ormolu
Now that we no longer need vintage, new or antique inkwells for written communication, these elegant desk accessories make for a distinctive decorative touch in any home office or study.
Prior to the 19th century, the inkwell was an integral part of the writing process. The first fountain pen was patented in 1827. Typewriters found acceptance during the 1880s, and the ballpoint pen, which replaced the inkwell on most desks and writing tables of the era, modernized the way we write. (Later, it would transform how some of us make art.) Today, a well-designed antique or vintage inkwell is a fun, decorative accent for any work area.
If you find yourself working from home today more often than not, why not freshen things up a bit? Small changes can help elevate your workspace: Incremental edits to your interior, such as rethinking your shelving, swapping out your wall decor and adding a touch of the past to your modern-day desktop, can actually make a big difference. Alongside an ornate Art Deco–era desk lamp and an antique paperweight, your inkwell will look right at home and can support your effort to create a happy home office.
Find a collection of unique metal inkwells to suit any taste on 1stDibs or shop by style. Browse a range of Art Nouveau inkwells, Victorian inkwells, Art Deco inkwells and more. Search our selection of inkwells to find the perfect piece for any space.
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.