Antique French Heavy Glass Hand Blown Lidded Inkwell
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique French Heavy Glass Hand Blown Lidded Inkwell Impressive handblown clear glass heavy inkwell with bronze lid.
Bronze
Late 19th Century Bronze Desk Accessories Inkwell with lid Bronze Brass Glass
Located in Sacile, PN
Bronze inkwell dated circa 1880, angels subject supported by feline paws. Ink bowl in glass with bronze profile and "alla ruota" engraved base.
Brass, Bronze
19th C. Jugendstil German Cut Glass Crystal Inkwell with Polished 800 Silver Lid
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Jugendstil german cut glass crystal inkwell with polished 800 silver lid By: unknown Material: glass, cut glass, crystal, silver, silver plate, metal Technique: ca...
Crystal, Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian English Brass Figural Pig Inkwell with Articulated Back Lids, C. 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Victorian English Brass Figural Pig Inkwell with Articulated Back Lids, c. 1875 Consists of four pieces, The figural pig, glass inkwell with domed brass cap, A small porcelain cup fo...
Brass
Giant Cut Glass Sterling Silver Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
A very nice example of a large glass inkwell with silver marked lid with a hallmark ingraved.
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Or Early 20th Century Glass Inkwell
Located in Greven, DE
Faceted Amethyst Glass Inkwell with Brass Lid Origin: France Material: glass, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 6 × 12 cm Description: Low, circular inkwell with a...
Bronze
Pair Of Antique Inkwells, Glass and Silvered, Circa 1880s
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of antique glass inkwells with silvered lids, France, circa 1880s.
Silver
$636Sale Price|20% Off
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass & Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite piece exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of the era, showcasing intricate gothic arch motif-cut glass inkwells adorned with hinged ormolu lids and a center gri...
Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
$731Sale Price|20% Off
Stately Antique Brass Bronze Inkwell, Around 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Stately antique brass bronze inkwell around 1880 Solid brass bronze inkwell with lid.
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Art Deco Inkwells in Macassar Wood and Crystal, Jacques Adnet Style
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Made in luxury Macassar wood with original crystal glass inkwells. Glass inkwells with brass hinged lids and chrome .
Crystal
$700Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian Brass ink stand in the form of a Gentleman Pushing a cart
By John Foote, Jr.
Located in Dereham, GB
Victorian Brass ink stand in the form of a Gentleman Pushing a cart Cast Brass Figure of a gentleman with a top hat Brass cart Pen stand in front, Moulded glass inkwell with bra...
Brass
Art Deco Lacquered Calendar Desk Set, Two Inkwells With Retractable Lids 1930's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Befit With Two Engine Turned Inkwells with one Glass Lining and Lids That Retract.
Chrome
Rare 19th Century Brass Engraved 'Inkwell' Table Clock attributed to Thomas Cole
By Thomas Cole (Clockmaker)
Located in London, GB
An Unusual 'Inkwell' Table Clock Attributed to Thomas Cole Constructed from gilt brass, the novelty timepiece rising from a turned ebonised base inset with a concave brass tray e...
Brass, Bronze
Antique Victorian Traveling Desk With Ebony and Mother-of-Pearl Banding
Located in Morristown, NJ
The front section has a removable pen tray for additional storage. The original glass inkwell with lid is retained. The original lock is present but the key is not retained.
Mother-of-Pearl, Birdseye Maple, Ebony
Asprey Desk Set and Document Holder, English, circa 1875
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a customized desk set, consisting of a crystal cut glass inkwell with a brass hinged lid, resting in a velvet lined well.
Brass
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
Ormolu-Mounted Sevrés Style Travel Desk
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
The desk includes two glass inkwells with brass lids. France, CIRCA 1890.
Gold, Bronze
Unavailable
H 4 in W 5.5 in D 5.625 in
Antique Single Crystal Inkwell, with Lid, Marble Base, Scotland 1910, H298
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique single crystal inkwell, with lid, marble base, Scotland 1910, H298 Scotland 1910 Marble + glass Single crystal inkwell Sitting upon a square black and white marble base H2...
Marble
Antique Brass Stag & Hunting Hounds Double Inkwell, Scotland, 1890
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique brass stag & hunting hounds double inkwell, Scotland 1890, H546 Scotland 1890 Solid brass and glass Double brass inkstand comes with a pen holder, two cut glass inkwells wit...
Brass
Unavailable
H 4 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Monogramed Inkwell, Scotland 1897, H552
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Monogramed Inkwell, Scotland 1897, H552 Scotland "1897" Shaped pen holder on the back Cut glass inkwell with silver plated lid Standing on a square b...
Silver Plate
Unavailable
H 5.5 in W 4 in D 4 in
19th Century Glass and Silver Inkwell with a Clock in the Silver Lid
Located in London, London
A solid glass inkwell with a clock within the hinged silver lid.
Silver
A Victorian oak and glass inkstand.
Located in New York, NY
A faceted glass inkwell with brass lid on a carved oval oak base with two pen racks.
Victorian Silver Plated Double Ink Stand, circa 1890
Located in Umberleigh, Devon
A good English Victorian silver plated double ink stand with pen holders to each side, embossed decoration and stands on 4 ball feet. Has a pair of cut-glass inkwells with embossed f...
Silver Plate
Gladstone Bag Traveling Inkwell Late 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
Enclosed a glass inkwell with a brass hinged lid.
Brass
Antique Victorian Era Cut Glass Inkwell with Sterling Silver Lid
By Mappin Brothers
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Victorian era cut glass inkwell with sterling silver lid and insert by Mappin Brothers of Birmingham, England, circa late 19th century.
Sterling Silver
Antique Walnut Wood Black Forest Inkwell, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
At the right front is another baby bird looking at the basket where the inkwell is. Two wicker baskets hold the glass inkwells at either side, with lids bearing fruit and leaves.
Glass, Walnut
Large Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand Inkwell, 1895
By Walter and John Barnard
Located in London, GB
A magnificent antique Victorian solid silver ink stand with two heavy glass Inkwells with silver lids. The Inkstand has a rectangular form and stands on four impressive scroll feet.
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 10.24 in Dm 11.82 in
19th Century Victorian Silver Plated & Horn Dolphin Shaped Inkwell, C.1880
By Martin, Hall & Co. Ltd.
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th Century Victorian silver plate mounted rams horn inkwell in a shape of a dolphin on mahogany wood base set with a swirl glass inkwell bottle with a hinged lid.
Silver Plate
Gorham Crystal Inkwell with Sterling Lid
By Gorham CO.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorham Silver company cut crystal and sterling silver ink-well with Hallmark stamped on lid. Condition: Notes excellent overall condition with tiny chip on edge of underside-did n...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Inkwell with Hinged Lid
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver inkwell with hinged lid, London, 1891, Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., Ltd. - Makers. Lid is engraved with an armorial of a bull and the motto: Nec Timide N...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz Inkwell with HInged Lid
By Levi & Salaman
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and rose quartz Inkwell with hinged lid, Birmingham, England, 1912, Levi & Salamon - makers. "Egg and Dart" border around edge of lid and on bottom rim of ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.25 in W 2 in D 2 in
Beautiful Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Crystal Inkwell with Hinged Lid
By Charles Newbury & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, Edwardian, sterling silver-mounted crystal inkwell with hinged lid, Birmingham, England, 1907, Charles Newbury & Co. - makers. Hinged lid is decorated with an inset real a...
Amethyst, Crystal, Sterling Silver
Mid-A 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Boat-Shaped Pentray
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century French bronze and ormolu ribbed and scrolled hull boat-shape pen-tray, raised on serpent feet and handles, fitted with glass inkwells and lidded wafer box with aco...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Pen Tray
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century French bronze and ormolu ribbed and scrolled hull boat-shape pen tray, raised on serpent feet and handles, fitted with glass inkwells and lidded wafer box surmount...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Inkwell / Desk Tidy 1871
By James Dixon & Sons
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Victorian Solid Silver Inkstand with two glass lined Inkwells with hinged lids. The base of the inkstand has a classic Greek Key pattern around the sides and rows...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 8.27 in W 12.6 in D 9.45 in
Early 19th Century Anglo Indian Desk Inkstand with a Pair of Cut Glass Inkwells
Located in Central England, GB
The top of this section is fitted with a pair of cut glass inkwells with hinged lids and in the centre of these bottles, there is a turned and carved horn container with a matching l...
Satinwood
Sold
H 6.7 in W 12.01 in D 6.11 in
Ceramic Writing Set 'Till Eulenspiegel' by Michael Powolny, Austria, 1919
By Michael Powolny
Located in Vienna, AT
Till Eulenspiegel in a brown-red jester's costume with bells, sitting with outstretched legs on a rectangular flat base plate, an owl between his feet and a low, four-sided inkwell w...
Ceramic
Sold
H 9.85 in W 13.78 in D 9.06 in
Antique Sevres Desktop Correspondence Casket Stationery Box, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
The canted front opens to reveal a sumptuous silk lined interior with the original twin glass inkwells with engraved ormolu lids, pen tray and stationery rack The rear of the casket...
Ormolu
Sold
H 6.3 in W 13.78 in D 9.45 in
Antique Regency Rosewood Writing and Stationery Slope, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
The interior is beautifully finished in the original red suede writing surface and has the two original glass inkwells with bronze lids. The slope has a secret compartment with th...
Brass
Sold
H 6.3 in W 13.78 in D 9.45 in
Antique Regency Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing and Stationery Slope, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
The interior is beautifully finished in the original red suede writing surface and has the two original glass inkwells with bronze lids. The slope has a secret compartment with th...
Brass
Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Pentray
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu pentray, having bold leaf scrolled border with carrying handles enclosing penholders and central wafer box flanked by cut-glass inkwells with ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 27.5 in W 42 in D 19.25 in
Rare Antique English Mahogany Leather Top Kidney Shape Drop-Leaf Campaign Desk
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
The desk has a flip-top fitted rear with stationary slots, pen tray, double glass inkwells with brass lids all neatly concealed at the rear of the top beneath a hand carved fan.
Brass
Antique Victorian Era Cut Glass Inkwell with Sterling Silver Lid
By Mappin Brothers
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Victorian era cut glass inkwell with sterling silver lid and insert by Mappin Brothers of Birmingham, England, circa late 19th century.
Sterling Silver
Amber Bubble Glass Cylindrical Inkwell with Brass Lid by John Armer & Co
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare amber bubble glass cylindrical inkwell with brass lid by John Armer & Co., circa 1940s.
Brass
Cut Crystal Inkwell with Faceted Hinged Lid, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Cut Crystal Inkwell with Faceted Hinged Lid Origin: likely Central Europe Material: colorless lead crystal, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × W × D: 11 × 11 × 11 cm Descriptio...
Brass
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.