19th Century Victorian Cast Iron "Lion" Inkwell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Figural lion inkwell boasting original paint with hinged lion's head concealing the well, circa late 1800s Patina / paint loss consistent with age / use.
Iron
Important Napoleon III Lion Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Napoleon III lion inkwell, 19th century In veined yellow Siena marble, centered with a lion's head with a long mane in bronze with dark patina, surrounded by two finely chi...
Marble
Important Napoleon III Lion Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Office inkwell in Siena yellow marble and bronze Napoleon III 19th century 34cm x 20cm Very good condition.
Marble
19th Century Antique Hand-Carved Marble Inkwell with Lion Motif
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Antique inkwell from Italy, Masterfully carved from marble with lion and lioness , letter opener and a pen included A wonderfully accessory for any desk.
Marble, Metal
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
19th Century Antique Olive Wood Twin Inkwell Standish with Bronze Lion Dog
Located in Nottingham, GB
Complete with its original cut-glass inkwells and surmounted by a characterful bronze lion dog figure, the piece combines practical Victorian desk furniture with considerable sculptu...
Bronze
Antique French Bronze & Sienna Marble Encrier Inkwell W Lion Sculpture
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French Bronze & Sienna Marble Encrier Inkwell W Lion Sculpture.
Marble, Bronze
19th C English Silver Plate Figural Crown Lion Shield Ink Well Inkwell Holder
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a fantastic fine quality silver plate inkwell in the form of a standing lion with a crown on his head and is holding a shield.
Silver Plate
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
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
Imperial Anichkov Palace Russian Bronze Garniture Desk Set. Alexei Alexandrovich
Located in Victoria, BC
Features: Central Inkwell Stand: Featuring two seated lions holding oval shields, surmounted by a large imperial crown.
Marble, Bronze
Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Marble 19th Century
Located in CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR
Richly chiseled and gilded bronze inkwell. Basin with lion's mouth, arched feet with scrolls and acanthus leaves, resting on an oval marble base rimmed with bronze. 19th century peri...
Bronze
Important Napoleon III Lion Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Office inkwell in Siena yellow marble and bronze Napoleon III 19th century 34cm x 20cm Very good condition.
Marble
Very Fine Antique Bronze English Lion Inkwell, circa 1860
Located in Bath, GB
A truly magnificent and rare English Victorian bronze inkwell beautifully executed in the form of a very dapper and handsome Lion.
Bronze
Antique French Inkwell, circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Bronze and Marble Inkwell Antique French Bronze and Marble Lion Inkwell, circa 1880
Marble
Inkwell in Walnut Figuring a Lion, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Inkwell in walnut figuring a lion lied down on a rock and foliage surface.
Wood
Sold
H 9.75 in W 12.75 in D 8 in
Antique Continental .800 Silver Figural Winged Lion Griffin Double Inkwell
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Continental .800 silver figural double inkwell offers central urn form finial with flanking winged lion griffins surmounting footed shell form tray with flanking lidded gl...
Silver
Lion Encrier
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century bronze and Ormolu Encrier having unusual acanthus leaf pentray with lion mounted lid enclosing inkwells and quill holders supported on toupe feet.
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Regency Period Bronze & Ormolu Roman Bath Shaped Inkwell
Located in London, GB
An antique Regency period bronze and ormolu Inkwell, having Roman bath shaped body with applied handles and lions masks, enclosing two inkwells and central lidded compartment, suppor...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 4 in W 12 in D 10 in
Antique French Figural Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand wit
Located in Chicago, IL
Item features cast bronze lions and central face, double inkwell with glass inserts, pen holder and other ornate pierced bronze details.
Bronze
19th Century French Pewter Lion Inkwell Signed A. Bossu
Located in Dallas, TX
Add a distinguished touch of antique French character to a desk, library, or study with this elegant pewter inkwell signed A. Bossu, crafted in France circa 1880.
Pewter
French Faience Inkwell with Lion
Located in Pembroke, MA
An unusual and highly-decorative 19th century French faience inkwell from Normandy, featuring a stylized lion holding a shield with coat of arms, surrounded by a helmet (hollow for h...
Ceramic
Sold
H 6.75 in W 11.75 in D 7 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Desktop Inkwell, circa 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Louis XV style figural cast bronze desktop inkwell features columns, opposing lions, dual inkwells and pen tray, circa 1870.
Bronze
Sold
H 8 in W 18 in D 9 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Figural Bronze Double Inkwell Inkstand Pen Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th century, French Louis XV style figural cast bronze double inkwell pen holder. Item features cast bronze lions and central face, double inkwell with glass inserts, pen holder, an...
Bronze
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
GAB Bronze Inkwell - Lion
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget
Located in Stockholm, SE
Attributed to GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) Inkwell in massive bronze. 1930's
Bronze
Bronze Lion Inkwell From The Temple Of Karnak Egypt
Located in CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR
The lion of Karnak on the Egyptian temple, bronze with black patina.
Bronze
Sold
H 5.25 in W 10.5 in D 8.25 in
Victorian Era Cold Painted Spelter Figural Lion Inkwell and Pen Rest Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Victorian Era, circa 1900, antique cold painted spelter (smelted and alloyed zinc) figural inkwell depicting a roaring lion with front paws crossed and a lion skin rug that serves ...
Spelter
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
Antique Baroque Handcarved Lion Sculpture, Italian or Austrian
By Antonio Raggi
Located in Vienna, AT
Early fine carved sculpture of a lying lion. Attributed to the circle of Alessandro Vittoria, located in northern Italy/ Venice. Original late Renaissance or early Baroque figure. T...
Wood
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece of nineteenth-century French elegance is sure to be the envy of any collector. The Napoleon III gilt bronze inkwell is a prized find, crafted in circa 1840 France with int...
Metal, Bronze
Lion of Forge, Spain, 16th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Lion of Forge, Spain, 16th century In forging, measurements: 10 x 17 x 5 cm Good condition Spanish private collection.
Iron
French Lion Mask Fountain Head Sculpture, Mounted on Iron Stand
Located in Bradenton, FL
French Lion Mask Fountain Head Sculpture, Mounted on Iron Stand. Lion head has great attention to detail featuring a nice flowing mane. White in color with a fabulous patina. Has han...
Stone
$976
H 7.88 in W 7.49 in D 3.35 in
Antique 19th Century French Cast Iron Lion Head Fountain Wall Spout
Located in Buisson, FR
Cast with a remarkable sense of neoclassical power during the mid-to-late 19th century, this heavy antique French cast iron fountain spout element is formed as an expressive lion's h...
Cast Iron
$2,051
H 10.63 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Antique 19th Century French Cast Iron Lion Head Fountain Wall Spout
Located in Buisson, FR
Cast with a remarkable sense of neoclassical power during the mid-19th century, this heavy antique French cast iron lion head element dates from circa 1850. The architectural iron pi...
Cast Iron
$1,624
H 7.88 in W 5.32 in D 11.03 in
Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique guardian lion door keeper. An English, cast iron mythical animal doorstop, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Fascinating door keeper, with a stylis...
Cast Iron
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...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$2,400
H 15 in W 28 in D 5 in
19th century Victorian English Cast-Iron Lion Doorstop with Old Red Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A cast iron lion doorstop from Victorian England. This 19th century Victorian cast-iron flat-back reclining lion is an elegant doorstop, probably after the magnificent original bronz...
Iron
Circa 1920s French Cast Iron Lion Fountain Feature, Spout
Located in Dallas, TX
This quaint fountain element or spout was produced in France about the 1920s. Known as a mascaron, the cast iron lion is depicted with an open mouth. An item such as this would typic...
Metal, Iron, Cast Iron
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...
Marble
$87,430Sale Price|30% Off
H 7 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell
Located in Long Island City, NY, 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, ...
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Marble French Art Deco Inkwell, 1930
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French marble inkstand from the Art Deco era. Inkwell for antique dealers and collectors of excellent quality and difficult to find. Object built with different marble elements appli...
Marble
Italian late 19th century Renaissance Revival Patinated Bronze Inkwell
Located in Firenze, IT
A finely cast Italian Renaissance Revival bronze inkwell dating from the late 19th century. The circular inkwell is supported by three winged figures raised on claw feet, while the l...
Bronze
Italian Alabaster Marble Ashtray Regency Style with Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A small Italian alabaster marble ashtray with animal paw feet in the Regency style, circa 1960s, Italy. A convenient mini ashtray with protective gold gilt metal rim around top with ...
Alabaster, Metal
Fine Antique Siena Marble and Ormolu Inkwell c.1900
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique Siena Marble and Ormolu Inkwell c.1900 A good quality desk inkwell, circa 1900, set in warm Siena marble with gilt bronze mounts in the neoclassical style. The hinged domed ...
Siena Marble
20th Century Italian Rococo Bird Cage, Hand-Painted Metal & Wood
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)
Metal
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.