Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks
By Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory
Located in Forney, TX
A very fine quality, exquisitely hand-crafted, late nineteenth century bronze doré mounted Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (KPM) porcelain five piece desk set. The breathtaking anti...
Bronze
Charming desk writing set, inkwell, dogs terrier, carved, 1930s Art Deco Germany
Located in Wien, AT
On one side there is a business card holder, on the other a hidden ceramic inkwell, and a pen tray in the foreground. The desk set is made of high-quality beech wood; the terrier fi...
Porcelain, Terracotta, Wood, Beech
$1,306 / set
Mid 19thC Coramandel Inkwell Stand/Desk Tidy
Located in Altrincham, GB
Mid 19thC Coramandel Inkwell Stand/Desk Tidy with Mother of Pearl Inlays, Original Ink Bottle all on Bun Feet - 14.5"w x 8.5"d x 2.5"h
Zebra Wood
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French ormolu Inkwells. Both items are late 19...
Ormolu, Bronze
Art Nouveau Foliage Silver Overlay Black Glass Inkwell Four Piece Desk set
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Rare silver overlay on black glass desk set containing an inkwell (2 pieces), blotter, double pen holder and letter opener.
Metal, Silver
Antique 20th Century Edwardian Solid Silver Inkwell Desk Set, Chester c.1908
By George Nathan & Ridley Hayes
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century Edwardian solid silver inkwell desk set. Designed for both practicality and elegance, it features a refined gadroon-edged tray.
Silver
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French ormolu Inkwells. Both items are late 19...
Ormolu, Bronze
$1,295Sale Price / set|35% Off
Victorian Ebonised Desk Set With Two Cut Glass Inkwells Decorated With Brass
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Lovely Victorian Ebonised Desktop Tidy With Two Cut Glass Inkwells, With Attractive Brass Rails & Decorative Idents & Drawer Supplied With A Modern Day Quill Pen, Notepad ...
Chrome, Brass
Antique French Cloisonné Enamel & Gold Bronze 7 Piece Inkwell Desk Set, Ca. 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Cloisonné Enamel & Gold Bronze 7 Piece Inkwell Desk Set, Circa 1890. Includes: Inkwell, Pen Holder, Drip Box (with pencil sharpener and shavings compartment), Letter ...
Enamel, Bronze
English Art Deco Period Blue Shagreen Desk Set of a Folder and Inkwell
Located in Montreal, QC
English Art Deco Period Blue Shagreen Desk Set of a Folder and Inkwell. Silver Hallmark George Betjemann & Sons dated 1928.
Shagreen, Shagreen Stingray
Art Deco Lacquered Calendar Desk Set, Two Inkwells With Retractable Lids 1930's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Art Deco 1930's Monochrome Desk Set. Befit With Two Engine Turned Inkwells with one Glass Lining and Lids That Retract.
Chrome
Antique Candle Sticks and Inkwell Émeaux de Bresse Desk Set Enamel Brass France
Located in Munich, DE
This beautifully enamelled set comprising an inkwell and two candlesticks will cheer up any room. A fine example of the wonderful enamel work executed in Bresse around 1870. The mast...
Brass
Antique French Green Marble & Gold Bronze 4 Piece Inkwell Desk Set Circa 1875-85
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Antique French green marble and gold bronze 4 piece inkwell desk set, circa 1875-1885. Includes: Inkwell: 11W x 8L x 4.75H Paperweight (Left): 3W x 5.25L x 3.5H Rolli...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Italian Specimen Marble Desk Inkstand with Twin Crystal Inkwells
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A striking Italian antique desk inkstand from the 19th Century inlaid with Florentine Pietra Dura The rectangular stand is framed in black and inset with a geometric mosaic of rich...
Stone, Crystal, Breccia Marble, Specimen Marble, Brass
Brass, Walnut and Ebonized Double Inkwell Set
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
English Victorian inkwell set. This walnut set has been accented with an ebony color and an overall brass decoration, mid-late 10th century.
Brass
Antique Austrian Geschützt Bronze Flying Owl Double Inkwell and Desk Blotter
Located in Nottingham, GB
A rare and highly decorative antique Vienna bronze desk set, dating to circa 1900 and comprising a double glass inkwell stand together with its complementary bronze desk blotter.
Bronze
19th Century English Burl Wood & Rosewood Parkins & Gotto Inkwell Desk Letterbox
By Parkins & Gotto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century English Burl Wood & Rosewood Parkins & Gotto Inkwell Desk Letterbox. Item features a brass ormolu, glass inkwells, bun feet, beautiful wood grain, original label, no key...
Wood
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Partner's Inkwell With Desk Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze partner's inkwell with desk tray featuring the iconic Zodiac pattern. By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New Yo...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Partner's Inkwell With Desk Tray
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze partner's inkwell with desk tray featuring the iconic Zodiac pattern. By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) N...
Bronze
1875s Silver-plated Brass Desk Inkwell with Crystallized Ink and Engraved Detail
Located in Marbella, ES
Desk inkwell in the shape of a chest, made of brass with a functional design. When opened, it reveals compartments that include crystallized ink bottles, a writing palette with a gla...
Brass
Dolphin Fish Inkwell, Candlestick, Blotter Desktop Set, Silver Plated, Sweden
Located in Nuernberg, DE
The blotter is approximate. 3.75" high and 5.25" wide and 3.13" deep. This set will make a nice addition to your desk. The items are marked (M Gab Alp), also have monograms and the...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
Antique Victorian Hand Crafted Mahogany & Brass Desktop Lamp & Inkwell Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Victorian Hand Crafted Desktop Writing And Reading Stand. The Stand Is Fitted Additionally With One Brass Inkwell Pivotable Pen Stand Brass Perpetual Calendar. Sold With A...
Brass
Art Deco Desk Accessory, Macassar Wood and Metal Inkwell and Blotter, circa 1930
By Studio Art Deco
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco modernist desk accessory was crafted in France, circa 1930. The exceptional ensemble features a double inkwell with a pen holder and a matching blotter. The sl...
Metal, Chrome
$1,564Sale Price / set|35% Off
Antique Georgian Brass Mounted Double Inkwell Stand With Two Hand-Blown Inkwells
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Set of 19th Century Antique Georgian Mahogany & Brass Mounted Double Inkwell Stand With Original Handblown Glass Inkwells Brass Topped Inkwells With Hinged Brass Collar Moun...
Brass
$1,564Sale Price / set|35% Off
Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand, Two Cut Glass Inkwells With A Pen Tray
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Impressive Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand With Two Cut Glass Metal Topped Inkwells With A Formed Pen Tray Base Decorated With A Rope & Key Design Will Be Supplied With ...
Chrome
French Art Déco Metal Desk Tidy with Woman Horseriding and a pair of Inkwells
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century french Art Déco metal desk tidy with woman horseriding, pen holder and a pair of inkwells By: uknown Material: metal, silver plate Technique: cast, molded, polish...
Metal, Silver Plate
French Inkwell and Match Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
This exquisite French enamel and bronze inkwell and match holder set, adorned with hand-painted figures, is a stunning piece of functional art. Perfect for collectors or anyone looki...
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Inkwell, Letter Opener, Dip Pen and Seal Set, in Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s travel set or desktop accessories inkwell, dip pen, letter opener and seal.
Crystal, Silver
Antique Rosewood Veneered Standish Inkwell Stand, circa 1830
Located in Nottingham, GB
A handsome early 19th-century British standish or inkwell stand, dating to circa the 1830s and crafted in richly figured rosewood veneer. Its elegant proportions and warm timber tone...
Rosewood
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period Zodiac pattern bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4"W x 4"D x 2"H....
Bronze
Egyptian Revival Sphinx Inkwell by Maitland Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival inkwell desk set featuring a tomb form stamp box with a sphinx mounted on either side.
Marble, Brass
$600Sale Price|60% Off
Vintage Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival Tessellated Marble Inkwell
By Maitland Smith
Located in Waxahachie, TX
This exquisite Vintage Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival Tessellated Marble Inkwell is an impressive piece of craftsmanship that seamlessly blends function with artistic beauty. Its de...
Stone, Brass
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Inkwell
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper inkwell By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3.5"W x 3.5"D ...
Brass, Copper
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Brass Finished Hammered Copper Inkwell
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper inkwell By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3.25"W x 3.25"...
Copper, Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Large Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Zodiac" pattern bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 6.75"W x 6.75"D x 4"H. Go...
Bronze
Heintz Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Inkwell
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze inkwell By Heintz Art Metal Shop USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.38"W x 5.38"D x 2.5"H Good orig...
Bronze, Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.13"W x ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures:...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures:...
Bronze
Circa 1900 Cast Iron Gold Gilding Moose Desk Set
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Neat gilded moose desk set with original inkwell, circa 1900. Made of cast iron with gold gilding.
Iron
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Large Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze large inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 6.3...
Bronze
$1,595Sale Price|20% Off
French Gilt Bronze and Marble Inkwell and Pen Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French gilt bronze and marble inkwell and pen holder.
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu marble desk set, signed T. Gruber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ormolu and Brocatelle marble inkwell/desk set, signed T. Gruber. This impressive and complete set consist of a central inkwell and letter opener, flanked by a letter rack and stamp s...
Brocatelle Marble, Ormolu
$1,650Sale Price / set|20% Off
Montblanc Meisterstück Black Fountain Pen With Original Box, Inkwell & Paperwork
By Montblanc
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Montblanc Fountain Pen Set. A Montblanc Meisterstück Black Fountain Pen With Original Box & Paperwork. Sold With and A Glass Black Inkwell With Permanent Black Ink In Original ...
Gold
Antique Paris Le Sacre Coeur Souvenir Double Inkwell Stand Architecture Building
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s - 1910s double inkwell, with a souvenir building of The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. Nice addition to your writing desk or just to display them in your ...
Metal
Rare 19th Century Russian Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Two cylindrical crystal inkwells are set within the ormolu framework. Each inkwell has a hand-cut faceted surface with intersecting diamond patterns.
Crystal, Ormolu
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and slag glass "Pine Needle" pattern inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and slag glass "Pine Needle" pattern inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century ...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and slag glass "Pine Needle" pattern inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century ...
Bronze
$700Sale Price|30% Off
Writing set with blotter, inkwell, opener, seal, pen and original case
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Writing set with blotter, inkwell, letter opener, seal and embossed silver pen with original case. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Cabeça de escravo. Weight: 3...
Silver
Antique Carrington & Co Victorian Sterling Silver Inkwell Stand, London 1898
Located in Nottingham, GB
(John Bodman Carrington) Decoration: Gadrooned borders and acanthus leaf motifs in relief Features: Lion paw feet, bowled pen rests and lidded accessory compartment Original Featu...
Sterling Silver
Antique Scottish Silver & Rams Horn Snuff Mulls Scotland 1909 / 1910
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Antique Scottish Silver Pair of Silver Mounted Ram's Horn Desk Set / Mess Hall Centrepieces comprising of an Inkwell and a traditional Snuff Mull.
Sterling Silver
Pair of bookends made out of polychrome cast iron with owls, USA 1925.
Located in Milan, IT
Judd Co. began producing a line of exceptionally high-quality decorative metal artware (including bookends, doorstops, inkwells, and desk sets) in the early 1900s. Their pieces were ...
Cast Iron
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.
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.