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Crab Inkwell

Crab-shaped inkwell - North of Italy, 17th–18th century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Large Crab-shaped inkwell North of Italy,17th–18th century, bronze H5 xL20x P12 cm This finely
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

Continental Bronze Crab Form Inkstand
Located in Mississauga, ON
An early 20th century, Continental bronze inkstand in the form of a crab with glass inkpot.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Napoleon III Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Bronze Crab Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
20th century bronze crab inkwell. Great detail and original insert still present. Measures: 6" x
Category

20th Century American Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Bronze Crab Inkwell
20th Century Bronze Crab Inkwell
H 2.5 in W 6 in D 5.5 in
Tiffany Studios Crab Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
A Tiffany Studios, New York patinated bronze crab inkwell, featuring a naturalistic blue point crab
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Inkwells

Tiffany Studios Crab Inkwell
Tiffany Studios Crab Inkwell
H 4 in W 7.5 in D 8 in
Crab Inkwell by Tiffany Studios
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Englewood, NJ
An American Art Nouveau patinated bronze "Crab" inkwell by, Tiffany Studios cast as a crab
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Crab Inkwell by Tiffany Studios
Crab Inkwell by Tiffany Studios
H 3.25 in W 7.25 in D 7 in
Antique French Bronze Crab Inkwell, 1900
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique bronze crab inkwell. The two front claws can be used as a pen holder. Date: 1900
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Antique French Bronze Crab Inkwell, 1900
Antique French Bronze Crab Inkwell, 1900
H 2.17 in W 8.47 in D 7.49 in
An Early American Art Nouveau Bronze "Blue Crab" Inkwell by, Tiffany Studios
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Englewood, NJ
An Early American Art Nouveau sculptural bronze "Blue Crab" Inkwell by, Tiffany Studios. The Crab
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré Zodiac Inkwell with Cancer Crab
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Tiffany Studios New York bronze doré zodiac inkwell features octagonal form with stylized
Category

Early 20th Century American Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Silver Plated Full Crab Figural Inkwell Holder Caviar Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage silver plated full crab figural inkwell holder caviar bowl. item featured is great for use
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Glazed Earthenware Inkwell of a Crab, Signed Andre Methey, France c. 1900
Located in Spencertown, NY
The glazed earthenware realistically modeled crab in reddish brown with green glaze underneath
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

European Bronze Crab Form Inkstand
Located in Essex, MA
Very realistically posed with a hinged cover that opens to expose an inkwell.
Category

Antique 1880s European Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

European Bronze Crab Form Inkstand
European Bronze Crab Form Inkstand
H 3.75 in W 11 in D 10 in
19th C. Stoneware Crab Inkwell by Edmond Lachenal
By Edmond Lachenal
Located in New York, NY
, including ubiquitous sea life motifs. This piece features a red crab that functions as an inkwell in a
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Stoneware

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Crab Inkwell For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the crab inkwell you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A crab inkwell — often made from metal, bronze and ceramic — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a crab inkwell — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A crab inkwell is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Victorian styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one crab inkwell that is appealing in its simplicity, but Tiffany Studios and Edmond Lachenal produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Crab Inkwell?

The average selling price for a crab inkwell at 1stDibs is $2,188, while they’re typically $550 on the low end and $27,500 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Inkwells for You

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.

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