19th Century Staffordshire Creamware Phrenology Head Inkwell, Stamped “55”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Staffordshire Creamware Phrenology Head Inkwell, Stamped “55” An unusual and highly evocative 19th-century Staffordshire phrenology head inkwell, executed in creamware ...
Pottery
Victorian Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ram's Head Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Fitted with candle arms in the shape of horns surmounted by a nozzle with gadrooned circular drip pans and with headdress moulded as cover opening to reveal a circular detachable gla...
Bronze
$1,520Sale Price / set|41% Off
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest
Located in Haarlem, NL
I have never seen this before. He has no inkwell insert.
Glass, Bone, Walnut
Solid Brass French Rams Heads Ink Well with Decorative Brass and Antlers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional pair of French solid brass ram's head inkwells, masterfully conceived with remarkable artistry and imagination.
Brass
19th Century French Bronze Inkwell with Floral & Rams Head Details
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian (19th Century) bronze inkwell embellished with floral, scallop and rams head details and a centered scroll handle with 2 wells.
Bronze
$2,950Sale Price|34% Off
Bronze Inkwell in Ram's Head Design, Late 19th Century, France
Located in Montreal, QC
This fine bronze inkwell is modelled as a ram's head, with splendid curling horns, ears out at right angles and glass bead eyes.
Bronze
Vintage Renaissance Victorian Style Brass Lion Head Double Pen Desk Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Renaissance Victorian Style Brass Lion Head Double Pen Desk Inkwell. Circa Mid 20th Century.
Brass, Bronze
Brass jugendstil desk set with lion heads
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Brass jugendstil desk set with lion heads. inkwell 28,5x18,5x6cm clock 24,5x13x8cm match stand with ashtray 14x13x11,5cm
Brass
19th Century Hand Carved Wood Bulldog Inkwell from England
Located in North Salem, NY
What a fun and beautiful unque accessories. 19th century Fine hand carved Bulldog inkwell from England. Head tilts back. It will sit and stay, looking extremely regal, for long peri...
Hardwood
French Gilt Bronze Inkwell and Sander with Classical Figure to the Lid
Located in London, GB
She lying back against a rock with sandals and long robes and her arm over her head. To the inkwell front is an applied gilt bronze mount of palm fronds.
Bronze
$780Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Victorian Blackened Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug Dog with Bow Tie Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Carved and blackened in the likeness of a dog's head, this inkwell showcases subtle details and features inset glass eyes that bring the piece to life.
Metal, Brass
Ink Bottle with Boar Head and Antlers
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique English brass and crystal inkwell with small horns and brass boar head. Diameter for bottle: 2.38".
Crystal, Brass
$293Sale Price|60% Off
Antique WWI Inkwell with German Flare Shell Heads on Wooden Base - 2Y324
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This unique and historic WWI inkwell features two German flare shell heads mounted on a wooden base, offering a rare blend of functionality and military history.
Wood
Exceptional Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Wild Boar Inkwell German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two tree stumps can hold your writing utensils, inside the head is an inkwell. The dip pen or quill seen in the pictures is not included in this offer.
Wood
Antique English Victorian Oak Wood Desktop Portable Lap Desk Letter Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Item features a lift front with fitted interior, small glass inkwell, lion head drop ring handles, raised on turn carved feet, solid wood construction, beautiful woodgrain, very nice...
Metal
Unavailable
H 3.94 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
WW Harrison & Co Ep Victorian Desktop Ink Stand Art Nouveau Style with Stag Head
By William Wheatcroft Harrison & Co. 1
Located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
WW Harrison & Co Ep Victorian desktop ink stand Art Nouveau style. The Stags' head is the centre piece, flanked by two cut glass ink pots, finished off on a silver EP stand on bun f...
Silver Plate
Russian Silvered Bronze Bear Inkwell, Russia, 1870
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricately detailed bear form stands upright while he he firmly grasps the semi-circle gilt bronze fence, his hinged head revealing a brass circular inkwell. The bear has been a wid...
Bronze
18th Century Black Forest Boar's Head Inkwell
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black forest boar's head inkwell and pen rest, 18th c., linden wood
Late 19th Century Novelty Boxwood Dog’s Head Inkwell
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late 19th century novelty boxwood dog’s head inkwell, modelled and painted as a black and tan bulldog with glass eyes and a red felt lined leather collar, opening to reveal a gilt ...
Boxwood
Rare Bronze Boars Head Inkwell c.1850 by Christophe Fratin
Located in London, GB
Rare bronze boars head inkwell France c.1850 & signed Christophe Fratin (1800-1864).
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Owl Head Inkwell
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A gilt bronze inkwell in the shape of a detailed owl head, with original glass eyes, set over an integral tray.
Bronze
English 19th c. Dog's Head Sculpture - Inkwell
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 19th century English carving of a boxer dog head, which conceals an inkwell. Very good quality carving
Walnut
19th Century Gilt Bronze Ram Head/Horn Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
This gilt bronze 19th Century Rams horn double inkwell is a stunning and intricate piece of craftsmanship. Its design showcases the elegance and attention to detail prevalent in the ...
Bronze
Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French gilt bronze and patinated bronze inkwell. Rams head design.
Bronze
Charles X Cut Crystal Gilded Bronze Inkwell, circa 1815-1820
Located in Paris, FR
The inkwell rests on four feet with a winged putti head.
Crystal, Bronze
Sold
H 6 in W 10 in D 6.5 in
Black Forest Carved Large Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, Exceptional Carving
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Large Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwell, the dogs front paws mounte...
Softwood
Sold
H 5.5 in W 3 in D 4 in
Antique English Bronze Figural Inkwell, Begging Dog with Glass Eyes, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
The quality of the casting is superb and retaining the original patina. The hinged head is where the inkwell opens to reveal a removable ceramic liner to easily refill and clean.
Bronze
Vintage Hermes Desk Set with Horse Head Detail
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Handsome vintage Hermes desk set- made up of a letter opener, a magnifying glass, and a paper clip.
Marked "Hermes Paris, Made in France" on the bottom. Please see ...
Silver Plate
Magnificent Bronze and Brass Desk Compendium, Queen Victoria's Pets, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
The charming begging terrier is an inkwell with it's head opening revealing a period porcelain ink chamber.
Brass, Bronze
Antique Bronze Inkwell with Bear's Head, France, ca. 1880
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique bronze inkwell in the shape of a bear's head with glass eyes.
Marble, Bronze
A French Figural Bronze Inkwell Desk Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Figural Bronze Inkwell Desk Lamp with Tole Shade, Late 19th / Early 20th Century French double inkwell figural bronze desk lamp, comprised of a central winged bronze cherub...
Bronze
Sold
H 4.34 in W 3.15 in D 3.55 in
Swiss Dog Head Inkwell Carved Walnut Black Forest Schnauzer 1880 circa
Located in Milano, MI
A Black Forest hand-carved walnut figural inkwell in the form of a Dog’s head, with great detail and retaining two large brown glass eyes.
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 5.52 in W 6.89 in D 4.34 in
19th Century English Silver Plated Elephant Inkwell with Little Monkey
Located in Haarlem, NL
An exceptional English Victorian silver plate elephant head inkwell of the last quarter of the 19th century.
Silver
19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Head of Medusa
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very attractive bronze inkwell from the second half of the 19th century in the form of the head of Medusa, with a hinged lid revealing a brass liner.
Bronze
Sold
H 3.55 in W 7.17 in D 5.52 in
Victorian Desktop Inkwell Set With Stag Heads by W W Harrison & Co Sheffield
By William Wheatcroft Harrison & Co. 1
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Luxurious Silver Plated Stag's Head Ink Stand Desk Set Comprising of Pop Up Inkwells Art Nouveau by W W Harrison & Co Sheffield - 1800's Befitting for any desk, Inkwells can be...
Silver Plate
19th Century Victorian Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug Dog Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
(not inscribed) The head is hinged lifts to reveal the brass capped glass inkwell
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 11 in W 8 in D 10 in
Two 19th Century Lignum Vitae or Pockwood Carved Victorian Bulldog Inkwells
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of two very cute original 19th century carved wooden Victorian era bulldog or boxer inkwells with hinged head that open to reveal the inkwells inside.
Brass
Sold
H 4.73 in W 2.76 in D 4.73 in
19th Century Carved English Lignum Vitae or Pockwood Victorian Doberman Inkwell
Located in Haarlem, NL
Beautiful original 19th century carved heavy wooden Victorian era dog inkwell with hinged head that opens to reveal the inkwell inside.
Brass
Swiss Terrier Head Desk Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
An amusing Swiss desk stand in the form of a terrier with glass eyes resting on logs, marked Lucerne, the head opening to reveal an inkwell (missing), the logs to hold pencils and pens.
Sold
H 4.73 in W 2.76 in D 4.73 in
Two 19th Century Lignum Vitae or Pockwood Victorian Bulldog Doberman Inkwells
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of two very beautiful original 19th century carved heavy wooden Victorian era dog inkwells with hinged head that opens to reveal the inkwells inside.
Brass
Sold
H 2.17 in Dm 2.56 in
Victorian Novelty Silver Mounted Owl Inkwell By Sampson Mordan & Co London 1896
Located in Norwich, England
Victorian novelty silver mounted owl head and cut glass inkwell by Sampson Mordan & Co.
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 9.4 in W 11.5 in D 6.75 in
19th Century French Bronze and Green Marble Inkwell with Roman Figure and Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
On either side of the figure, are two bronze inkwells with carved lion heads. Both round inkwells have their original ink containers and are embellished with decorative caps and fini...
Marble, Bronze
Bronze and Ebonized Wood Double Inkstand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
The footed base supporting the oval black base fitted with two horse head Vienna bronze style inkwells. The back has a figure of a jockey that has a slight lean inward.
Bronze
Sold
H 7.1 in Dm 9.25 in
Large Antique Cold Painted Vienna Bronze Horse Sculpture Inkstand Attr. Bergmann
By Franz Bergmann
Located in Lisse, NL
The patina, the details in the horses anatomy and the colors immediately show you that this can only be the work of a master craftsman The perfect working strong hinge that folds the...
Brass, Bronze
Bronze Sculptural Lighted Ink Well in the Style of Jean Garnier
By Jean Garnier
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The piece features a light above the girls head and an inkwell at her feet.
Bronze
Vintage Lovely Lady Head Inkwell
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa early 20th century iron inkwell that features a clover shape with a woman's face and profile wearing a bonnet. The piece is further decorated with details such as a bow ribbon ...
Iron
Art Deco Style Tiger Head Inkwell, Early 19th Century
Located in Notting Hill, GB
Originating in the 1920s, and coming to full fruition during the 1930s, Art Deco was a movement within both the fine and decorative arts as well as architecture, this ink well repres...
Metal
German Black Forest Carved Wood Cat Inkwell and Pen Holder
Located in Chicago, IL
It is highly detailed and realistic with glass eyes, originally used as an inkwell, as the head tilts back when opened.
Wood
English Silver Plate Elephant Head Inkwell with Monkey Finial
By Lee & Wigfull
Located in Southampton, NY
English elephant head inkwell with finial on the lid in the form of monkey playing a flute with glass insert for the ink.
Silver Plate
English Boar Head Inkwell
Located in Summerland, CA
Very handsome and unusual inkwell. Head is made of spelt metal, beautifully cast.
Turn of the Century Figural Lion Inkwell
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a wonderful, turn of the century, figural lion head inkwell made of a cold patinated cast metal.
Metal
Late 19th Century French Bronze Inkwell
Located in Raalte, NL
Late 19th century bronze inkwell holder with various decorations including a lady on the lid, the ears in an Art Nouveau shape with leaves and on both sides of the inkwell animal hea...
Bronze
French Rams Head Pewter and Chrome Ink Well Topper
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage French ram's head ink well topper. Ram's head is molded resin, pewter horns, silver plate base.. Signed, engraved Hauy Pauitza on the underside of the ram's head. ...
Chrome, Pewter
$3,717
H 11.82 in W 10.63 in D 5.91 in
Rare Antique 4 Tier Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood 19th Century Hand Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A beautiful, very finely carved antique black forest jewelry box from the late 19th/ early 20th century made in Switzerland. A large and impressive four-tiered piece with 6 swing o...
Fruitwood
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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