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Inkwells For Sale
Antique Regency Brass Bound Traveling Desk Wooden Mahogany Writing Slope Regency
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Quality English Well Figured Solid grained Mahogany Officers Campaign Style Traveling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and unusually large size. First quart...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Art Deco Green Onyx Gold Champlevé Enamel Office Inkwell Ink Pen Stand
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Art Deco Green Onyx Gold Champlevé Enamel Office Inkwell Ink Pen Stand Continental Onyx, metal, champlevé enamel c. 1920 Dimensions: H x W x D: 10.5cm x 16.5cm x 12.5cm T...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Onyx, Metal, Enamel

Pierre-Adrien DALPAYRAT French Art Nouveau Stoneware Inkwell, 1890
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Nouveau Inkwell by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat, France, circa 1890. A rare and exquisite Art Nouveau inkwell by renowned French ceramist Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910). This finely crafted piece showcases Dalpayrat’s signature red copper-glazed stoneware, especially rich and luminous near the base. Elegantly mounted in pewter, the design exemplifies the organic flow and refined detail of the Art Nouveau period. Dimensions: Height: 3.54 in. (9 cm) Diameter: 5.12 in. (13 cm) Materials: Stoneware with pewter mount Condition: Excellent+++++, museum-quality preservation Markings: Incised signature "Dalpayrat 1500" under the base (see photo) This inkwell is a collectible example of French ceramic art at the turn of the century—perfect for collectors of Art Nouveau, 19th-century French ceramics, or the works of Dalpayrat. Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910): A Pioneer of French Ceramic Innovation Adrien Dalpayrat was a French ceramicist and researcher who played a key role in the revival of stoneware at the end of the 19th century. Born in 1844 in Limoges, Dalpayrat studied drawing and porcelain painting in his hometown before beginning his professional career at the Jules Vieillard faience factory in Bordeaux. There, he met his wife, Marie Tallerie, with whom he had two sons—Albert and Adolphe—who would later become his primary collaborators. Throughout his early career, Dalpayrat worked for several major ceramic manufacturers, including Ashwin (Valentine), Fouquet (Toulouse), François Blanc (Monaco), and Léon Sazerat (Limoges). In 1889, seeking greater independence, he moved to the Paris region and established his own studio in Bourg-la-Reine. Collaborations and Artistic Evolution Dalpayrat’s creative vision expanded through his collaboration with sculptor Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix. Together, they explored neo-Gothic and Palissy-inspired motifs, creating a remarkable ceramic bestiary. Following Voisin-Delacroix’s death in 1893, Dalpayrat partnered with Adèle Lesbros, which marked a shift in his work toward simpler, more refined vase forms influenced by Japonism. Japanese art had been introduced to France during the 1867 Universal Exhibition, but it wasn’t until the 1878 Exhibition, particularly through the ceremonial stoneware used in the Japanese tea ceremony, that Japonism truly captivated French artists. This influence led Dalpayrat to create vessels with organic, vegetal, and animal-inspired forms. Technical Mastery: The Secrets of Copper Red Among all the ceramists of his time who sought to replicate the elusive Chinese “sang de boeuf” (oxblood) glaze, Adrien Dalpayrat was arguably the most successful. He didn’t simply reproduce the legendary copper red—he transformed it. By manipulating glaze thickness, firing temperature, atmosphere, and copper oxide content, he developed a unique palette of flamed and mottled red glazes that became his signature: the renowned Dalpayrat red. He further enriched his pieces by introducing streaks and inclusions of turquoise, blue, green, and yellow—freeing the red glaze from monochromy and turning it into an expressive, living surface. His work pushed stoneware beyond function into expressive art, merging form and glaze in bold, sculptural harmony. Beyond Ceramics: Bronze Mounts and Architectural Works Dalpayrat also collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Ernest Cardeilhac and Keller to produce pieces mounted in gilt bronze, blending ceramics with decorative arts at the highest level. In an effort to make his work more accessible, he opened a second faience workshop focused on simpler, more affordable pieces inspired by Nevers and Rouen ware. However, this venture faced financial difficulties and closed by 1900. The main family studio followed in 1906 as the popularity of Art Nouveau declined. Dalpayrat then returned to Limoges, devoting his final years to painting and drawing until his death in 1910. Legacy and Recognition Despite financial struggles during his lifetime, Dalpayrat’s ceramics were widely acclaimed at major international exhibitions: Bronze medal, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) Silver medal, Antwerp International Exhibition (1894) Gold medal, Exposition Universelle, Paris (1900) Today, his work is part of prestigious museum collections. In 2020, the Petit Palais in Paris acquired a large bird motif vase created in collaboration with Voisin-Delacroix, now on view in Room...
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pewter

Antique Victorian Brass Bound Traveling Desk Walnut Wooden Writing Slope Box 19C
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine early English Well Figured Solid grained Walnut Ladies or Gents Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and compact proportions. Last quarter of the Nin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Category

1890s German Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Wood

Vintage Japanese Cast Iron Gourd Suiteki Water Dropper
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage cast iron suiteki water dropper in the shape of a gourd. Traditionally used for calligraphy or ink painting. Made in Japan, original sticker attached.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century French Ormolu Bronze Inkwell
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Inkwell on Circular Base Origin: France Material: Gilt bronze (Ormolu) Date: Circa 1800–1810 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 16 × 19 cm Description: Classical-style inkwell in t...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

1930s Art Deco Portoro Marble Italian Inkwell and Signature Pad
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Very precious Italian inkwell and signature pad with original paper. It's made with very rare portoro marble, particular for its black with brown and gold veins. Price is for the com...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Marble

Tiffany Studios New York Chinese Pattern Large Bronze Inkwell, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Chinese" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5"W x 5"D x 3.13"H. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

William Comyns Victorian Repousse Sterling Silver and Crystal Inkwell 1895
Located in San Mateo, CA
Large Victorian inkwell by William Comyns. This has a repousse sterling design over a heavy crystal inkwell. The hinged lid is monogrammed with a JP. The piece is dated 1895.
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Gardener’s Delight, Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Beehive Model Encrier
Located in New York, NY
Great fun for a gardening afficionado - a delightful desk accessory wether you're planning a beautiful garden, tending a beehive, ordering new seeds for the season or wish for a an uplifting reminder at your work space of the bounty and beauty of nature... France, 19th century This fabulous antique French gilt bronze inkstand has a beehive central well with a hay stack cover, several bees on the surface, flanked by two bronze baskets with covers laden with fruit, flowers and wheat sheaves, at the base of one sits a bird leaning over a large basket with a container for sand in the shape of a large bunch of wheat tied with a rope and a bird perched on top as a cover. The back of this fantasy is composed of a group of garden implements which include a sickle, a spade, a trowel, a scythe, ring pliers and a pitch fork tied with an attractive bow and hung with garlands of flowers, masses of grapes, wheat forming a support for a quill. The base designed as naturalistic wood logs topped with rustic wood...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller Austrian, circa 1900. Behold the Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, a masterpiece attributed to the skilled hands of Ha...
Category

Late 19th Century Belle Époque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Jugenstile Bronze Fledermaus Inkwell
Located in Sharon, CT
Jugenstile cast bronze inkwell in the form of a bat (Fledermaus).
Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century. Made in France in cast iron and painted with a beautiful patina. Probably an advertising item...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Iron

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. .
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Inkwells

Materials

Bakelite

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell
Located in Queens, 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, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Shipping Free, 19th Century Silvered Bronze Inkstand Signed Boin Taburet, Paris
Located in Lisse, NL
Louis XV style inkstand with chinoiserie design, lacquered top. This rare and stylish inkstand is a work of the house Boin-Taburet, goldsmith in Paris. This impressive size inkstand...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bronze Wood Marquetry Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique inkwell, with two inkwells made of bronze, including glass cups. The base is made of veneered marquetry wood with a diamond pattern, framed in a bronze rim, resting...
Category

1860s French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Petite Classica Crystal Inkwell
Located in Sheffield, MA
Small and elegant crystal inkwell with a brass collar with a square base and faceted lid makes a wonderful accent on your desk or table top. Ink-well, ink well, inkwell.
Category

Early 20th Century European Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Petite Classica Crystal Inkwell
Petite Classica Crystal Inkwell
$125 Sale Price
28% Off
Early 20th Century Cut Glass Inkwell with Silver Mountings, Birmingham, 1905
Located in Greven, DE
English Inkwell with Faceted Crystal Body Origin: United Kingdom, Birmingham Material: Cut crystal, sterling silver mount Date: 1905 Dimensions: H × Ø: 13 × 9 cm Description: This...
Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of a French Patinated Bronze Architectural Style Grand Tour Regency Period Double Inkstand of rectangular outline and compact proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Century. This stunning offering is modelled as an ancient Gothic Style Religious building ending on a well veined Sienna Marble platform base. The Ormolu dome top finial covers complete with their internal bronze linings. An early ormolu and Sienna Marble Watch stand is included. Condition: Good condition, original good surface patination, small repair to corner of marble base, see image. Baise underneath has been replaced, nicely done. Back and front views are similar, no visible foundry marks. Height: (inkstand) 5.25" (13.5cm). Width: (at base) 7" (17.5cm). Depth: (at base) 4” (10.25cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable Fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping offered by Seller. Please take time to scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our Shop PATRICK HOWARD ANTIQUES...
Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkwells

Materials

Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze

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...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Rare Andre Villien Paris Art Nouveau quality Bronze & Marble Desk Inkwell Stand
By André Villien
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning desk piece. This good size Art Nouveau ink-stand is signed by Andre Villien (see image 7). Villien was a French sculptor and decorator who work...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Japanese Cast Iron Persimmon Suiteki Water Dropper
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage cast iron Japanese suiteki water dropper in the shape of a persimmon. Traditionally used for calligraphy or ink painting. Made in Japan, original sticker attached.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Inkwells

Materials

Metal

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Cartier 'Must de Cartier' Crystal & Silverplate Mellon Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cartier 'Must de Cartier' Crystal and Silverplate Melon Inkwell France, Circa 1989 Dimensions: 3.25" diameter x 2.75" high A refined and elegantly crafted melon-form inkwell from th...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Silver Plate Ink Well with Gallery, Sphinx and Greek Key Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning silver plate ink well with two cut crystal ink wells - both capped with a silver top and greek key trim. A center storage piece is pr...
Category

20th Century English Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Crystal, 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

18th Century Dutch Delft Blue and White Ink Well attributed to Anthoni Pennis
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb 18th Century Dutch Delft Blue and White Ink Well and Desk Stand attributed to Anthoni Pennis, beautifully decorated in the chinoiserie style. Marked to the base with the Blu...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pottery

Tiffany Studios Zodiac Gilt Bronze Inkwell No. 1072
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Tiffany Studios gilt bronze inkwell. In the Zodiac pattern. Model no. 1072. Simply iconic Tiffany design! Date: Early 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall goo...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Asprey English Edwardian Inkwell with Clock and Barometer, 1912
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian inkwell with clock and barometer, 1912. Massive clear glass cube with chamfered edges and brilliant-cut underside. Short neck in sterling silver collar; with hinged swing-m...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Green Cut Uranium Glass Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
A stunning green inkwell with dore bronze setting. The inkwell has a amazing bright green color and it is made out of green uranium glass. When you illum...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Uranium Glass

French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and Ormolu Inkwell Circa 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 7 1/2in W: 10 1/2in D: 7 3/4in This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and bronze Ormolu Inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Middle Eastern Brass Inkwell Qalamdan 19th C
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A 19th century Middle Eastern, Asian brass decorated Islamic Moorish Qalamdan. The Qalamdan is an inkwell in solid brass. It consists of an inkwell and a pen compartment of typical tubular form with an interior cavity to store a reed pen. Attached to the body is an inkwell with engraved designs with a shell style cover. The piece measures 9 1/2" inches long x 2" inches high x 2" inches deep. Great brass decorative Islamic Metal...
Category

19th Century Asian Moorish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very charming Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century. Nice patina with some wear. See pictures. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

Early 18th Century European Baroque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sheet Metal

Art Nouveau Bat Inkwell by Unknown French Artist
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Little is known about the origins of this amazing piece, apart from it being from France, circa 1900. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, ...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Calamaio Grand Tour in marmo a Sarcofago inizio XIX secolo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Calamaio a forma di sarcofago in marmi pregiati, Roma, inizi del 19 secolo, epoca Grand Tour. I calamai a sarcofago del Grand Tour sono oggetti di lusso del XVIII e XIX secolo ispi...
Category

19th Century Italian Greco Roman Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble

Bronze Chinese Dragon Boat Inkwell 19th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Chinese dragon boat double inkwell. Original glass inserts. Circa 1870's bronze. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that occurs on the fifth day of the fift...
Category

19th Century European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Chinese Enamel and Jade Inkwell with Pen, 19th/20th C. Ric#JD014
Located in Norton, MA
19th/20th century Chinese enamel and jade, inkwell with pen. Stone carved and pierced. Pen 7.5 in length.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Other Inkwells

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver

Antique English Novelty Inkwell - Brass Tortoise / Turtle c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome antique English inkwell cast in solid English brass in the form of a Tortoise retaining his original glass eyes. The lid lifts to ...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Ottoman Turkish Brass Inkwell Qalamdan with Arabic Calligraphy Writing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th C. Ottoman Turkish Brass Inkwell Qalamdan with Arabic Calligraphy Writing.An antique 19th century brass decorated Islamic Turkish Qalamdan.An antique Turkish Brass...
Category

Mid-19th Century Turkish Islamic Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Silver Plate Hoof Inkwell with Pen Rest, by Rowland Ward & Co
Located in Reepham, GB
A late 19th century silver plate mounted horse hoof inkwell, the lid and horseshoe of silver plate, the hinged lid opening to the glass inkwell wit...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

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...
Category

Early 1900s French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Antique Pair of Staffordshire Greyhound Inkwells
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique pair of Staffordshire Greyhound inkwells on raised blue cobalt bases with gilt decoration. In perfect original condition, no cracks, chips o...
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Early Staffordshire Greyhound Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Early and original inkwell or quill pen holder in the form of a seated greyhound by Staffordshire. England, circa 1860. Features a finely execu...
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pottery

Traveling Inkwell Milk Churn Shape
Located in Vienna, AT
This figural traveling inkwell was made during the very early 1900s. It is made to look like a milk churn. We believe it is made of nickel plated brass; some of the plating has worn ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Swiss Black Forest Carved Rabbit Inkwell and Pen Tray
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING WHIMSICAL BLACK FOREST DESK ACCESSORY WITH HAND-CARVED RABBIT, TREE PEN REST, AND HAT-LIDDED GLASS INKWELLS. From our Black Forest collection, we are delig...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass, Wood

Art Nouveau Pocket Watch Desk Inkwell
Located in Northampton, GB
The Inkwell of square shape made from glass with hand cut diamond quilt pattern to the exterior. The lid of the inkwell mounted with a Sterling Silver hinged lid is hallmarked to the...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Gilt Brass Rococo Inkwell, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 19th-century French inkwell in gilded brass, designed in the Napoleon III style with Rococo influence. The piece showcases flowing curves, ornate foliate scrolls, and a shell-like ...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Victorian Thomas Hudson Barometric Ink Well Stand Pen Quill Holder 6"
By Thomas Hudson
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century library writing barometric / barometer pen holder and ink stand, Circa 1860s-1880s. Made of brass featuring pewter inkwell with glass dome reservoir and slots f...
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Pewter

A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Rouge Griotte Marble Inkwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Rouge Griotte Marble Inkwell with Bronze Statuettes representing "Night & Day" by Michelangelo, crystal ink containers with elaborate gilt bronze covers. France, circ...
Category

1880s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Griotte Marble, Bronze

Desk Set in Elegant Art Deco from 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very elegant desk set in art deco probably from 1930s or earlier. The desk set is made of patinated brass and consists of two parts. An ink stand with pen stand and a rocker blotter...
Category

1930s European Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Staffordshire Dalmatian Pen Holder, Circa 1960's
Located in High Point, NC
Vintage 1960's pen holder in the form of a Dalmatian made in the Staffordshire region of England. The Dalmatian is recumbent, with front legs crossed in an elegant fashion, and sitt...
Category

1960s English Victorian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian inkstand...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Walnut Inkwell German Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...
Category

1890s German Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Chiseled silver inkwell with two tanks, bell & four hollow feet
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Chiseled silver inkwell with two reservoirs and bell, base, pen holders and resting on four pierced feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Lisbon Crown. Weight:...
Category

Early 18th Century European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver

19th Century Baccarat Crystal Inkwell with Elaborate Sterling Silver Top
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This exquisite inkwell exhibits the mastery of Baccarat's workmanship. The molded crystal body is decorated in one of their more rare Classic patterns Moulure Russe with concentric swirling spirals...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal

Gilded Austrian Bronze Inkwell / Pen Rest, Signed Bergmann
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent and grand late Victorian Austrian desk set, made from cast bronze, beautifully finished in gold. The cast Owl is a figural inkwell ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Edwardian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Inkwell, Shape of a Walnut, Marked GRENOBLE, Switzerland, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Origin: Switzerland Material: Wood, glass Date: c. 1900 Dimensions: H × W × D: 6 × 8 × 5 cm Description: Small inkwell made of carved wood in the shape of a walnut. The lid is hinge...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pine

Vintage, New and Antique Inkwells

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.