Napoleon III Inkwells
NAPOLEON III STYLE
Under Napoleon III’s rule, Paris underwent a great rebuilding overseen by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, which created grand avenues and lavish landmarks like the Paris Opera. Antique Napoleon III–style furniture was flamboyant and eclectic. It was also known as Second Empire style since it followed and referenced the Empire style of his uncle Napoleon I.
Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons. It borrowed freely from earlier French styles including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI as well as aesthetics from around the world, from antiquity to Asian art. As writer Gustave Claudin remarked in 1867, the country’s architects worked in “a style which one would be tempted to call neo-Greco-Gothico-Pompadour-Pompeian.”
Napoleon III chairs were completely covered with velvet and lined with tassels; pouf footstools invited people to put up their feet. Sofas were upholstered with tapestries, and beds were adorned with gilt bronze and theatrical canopies. The addition of conservatories to homes led to new indoor-outdoor furniture, while the spirit of hygiene promoted by Baron Haussmann inspired bright, floral motifs.
Although the most ostentatious designs were for the elite, as seen in the Napoleon III apartments preserved in the Louvre, where red velvet, gilding and chandeliers create a cacophony of luxury, these trends influenced homes across classes as manufacturing made design increasingly accessible. Papier-mâché furniture allowed for elaborate shapes that would have been difficult to carve in wood. The malleable material was painted with chinoiserie patterns and decorative designs. It was mass-produced by factories such as Jennens and Bettridge with varnishing and mother-of-pearl inlays creating an effect reminiscent of Asian lacquer. (Surfaces that had been “japanned” — a specialty of Jennens and Bettridge — were intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia.)
Find a collection of antique Napoleon III decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Napoleon III
Antique French Napoleon III Bronze Grand Tour Novelty Drum Desk Inkwell 1850
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique French 'Grand Tour' bronze novelty inkwell modeled as a drum, circa 1850.
The inkwell is finely & realistically cast as a French Revolutionary period drum. The inkwell...
Category
1840s French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Antique Napoléon III. Inkwell from Bronze and Porcelain, Paris, France, 1839
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional antique Inkwell with rich bronze ornaments and three porcelain vessels.
The ink jars are painted in a beautiful rich green and embellished with gold colour.
France, 1839.
On the lid is written "ENCRIER BOUQUET" "MEDAILLE D´ARGENT...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th C. French Gilt and Porcelain Inkwell - Estate of Barbara J. Walters
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c., France, an ormolu, gilt and polychrome enameled porcelain encrier or inkwell in pot form. It is decorated with flowering vines, the gilt bronze top with wells for writing im...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Parakeet Perch Inkwell Candlesticks: Ink 'n' Perch Delight!
Located in New York, NY
These exquisite 19th-century bronze parakeet on perch candlestick inkwells showcase the fine craftsmanship of the era. Each inkwell features a beautifully designed parakeet with a hi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
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 Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th-Century French Bronze Bulldog Inkwell by M. Bertin on Marble Base
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite 19th-century French inkwell, featuring a finely detailed bronze bulldog, signed by the artist M. Bertin. The bulldog, with its characteristic strong and determined expre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt-Bronze and Crystal Inkwell Set, circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt-bronze and crystal desk set of the Napoleon III period. Composed of two crystal ink wells, a raised pen tray, and a sculptural depiction of a f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
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,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble
19th Century Bronze Growling Dog with Collar and Chain Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
19th century bronze growling dog inkwell with collar and chain. This piece still has its original ink vessel.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Nice Inkwell of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Nice inkwell of the 19th century with its two ink receptacles and the stamp holder"
Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze and glass, 19th century, with its two ink receptacle...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
French Champlevé Enamel Inkwell, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Champlevé enamel inkwell from the 19th century, created in the opulent Napoleon III style.
Crafted from gilded bronze with finely detailed polychrome enamel in shades of t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
A Patinated Bronze Sculptural Inkwell By Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Unusual Patinated Bronze Sculptural Inkwell By Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827–1875).
Modelled as a fountain with pedestal surmounted by a bust of ‘Rieur napolitain’ (The Laughing N...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Crystal, Malachite
Marble and Gilt Bronze Inkwell From the 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble and gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period.
Napoleon III period gilt bronze and marble inkwell decorated with imperial eagles, with porcelain interior...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Bronze
An Gilt Bronze Inkwell from the 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period.
A Louis XV style gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period.
H: 23cm, W: 37cm, D: 24cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
An inkwell and Two Candlesticks from the 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An ormolu, enamelled and cloisonné inkwell and two candlesticks from the 19th century, Napoleon III period.
An ormolu, cloisonné and enamelled inkwe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
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 Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
A 19th century French Empire green figured marble and ormolu inkstand C 1870
Located in Central England, GB
This very stylish French Empire gilt bronze and marble inkstand is a fine example.
It is made from superb figured green marble. The triform base is raised onto bronze pads. The main inkwell body is in matching green figured marble which is raised onto ornate lion’s paw feet. The body is beautifully hand turned and separated with ormolu mounts and a lift off cover.
Inside the git interior is inset with an original glass liner for ink.
This very pleasing piece is in excellent original condition with very little sign of wear to the original gilding.
French, circa 1870
Height 16.5cm x width 19cn x depth 17cm
Please contact us for a shipping quote. We always use the best couriers with cost effective prices tracked and insured. Most of our items are double boxed for the safety of delicate items.
Thank you for looking at the wonderful marble and Ormolu French inkstand...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Category
1840s French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Napoleon III Style French Inkwell Made of Wood, Brass and Crystal
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Orig...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Inkwell
FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 1900s
Empire style inkwell in yellow Siena marble with gilded bronze inkwells and sphinx.
48 x 23 cm Height 20.
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble
French gilt bronze ink stand depicting a young man harvesting circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This wonderfully detailed bronze inkstand is of unusably small proportions and was made to compliment a lady's writing table most likely. It is of an oval form with a moulded base which is mounted with a detailed bronze study of a rural scene of a young man harvesting corn with a sickle. The bushels of corn hide the inkpot which hinges back to reveal a white porcelain container...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
French Napoleon Green Marble Office Inkwell With Feather wipe Sponge Holder
Located in Valladolid, ES
France Office writing or inkwell of golden bronze and green marble, Siglo XIX, Period of Napoleon III
alto: 16cm, ancho: 49 cm, fondo: 26 cm
Spectacular tintero in dark green marmol...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair Of French Champlevé Inkwell, (Napoleon III)
Located in Lisbon, PT
A pair of inkwell:
- A 19th century french champlevé enameled gilt bronze ornate with colorful blue, green, yellow inkwell, enameling over the bronze base in a Sevres style decor wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
French Victorian Boule Brass Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian Boulle-style square tortoise shell and brass inlaid inkwell with crystal well.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Inkwell of the XIXth Century in Gilded Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze"
Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze, 19th century.
H: 15cm, W: 21cm, D: 14,5cm.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Dore Napolean Ink Well, France.
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Encrier set with richly-veined Verde Antico marble base mounted with pair gilt-bronze inkwells flanked on either side of a Napolean bust. The marble base with pen tray rest on sh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Metal, Brass
Champlevé Enamel Inkwell on Tray, Napoleon III, 19th Century, France
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 19th century French inkwell in Champlevé enamel and bronze, mounted on an integrated tray with pen holders, in the Napoleon III style.
This elegant desk accessory showcases the cr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Inkwell Sculpture "Les Moutons à L'abreuvoir" by Jules Moigniez
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze inkwell sculpture with nuanced brown patination. Two ink pots are cleverly hidden at either end of the sculpture: One in the stump of the tree and the other under a rock. Moig...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Double Inkwell of the XIXth Century in Gilded Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Double inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze"
Important double inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilded bronze with nice neo-classical decorations, XIXth century.
H: 12cm, W...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Unusual Architected Marble Bronze and Crystal Inkwell, Italy, 1890
Located in Brussels, BE
A cut crystal inkwell inserted in a massive architectural beige marble base.
Probably Italy around 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Crystal, Bronze
Porcelain and Bronze Inkwell in the Taste of Asian Art.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain and bronze inkwell in the taste of Asian Art.
Inkwell decorated with a Buddha in white porcelain on a red lacquer tray mounted with gilt bronze and inkwells in porcelain a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Black Gutta Percha Inkstand, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The black inkstand with a molded lion decoration with a shell pen tray. The two glass inkwells on either end.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Rubber
Napoleonic Ormolu & Verde Antico Marble Inkwell, c. 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
Encrier set, the richly-veined Verde Antico Marble platform mounted with a pair of gilt-Bronze inkwells. These flanking a finely-cast bust of Napo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Gilded Inkwell Depicting a Bulldog Tied to Tree Stump
Located in New York, NY
This 19th-century gilded inkwell is a captivating piece of artistry, masterfully crafted to depict a charming bulldog tethered to a rustic tree stump. W...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
A Very Good 19th Century Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Marble Inkstand, Circa 1870
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The crescent shaped & dished ‘verdi alpi’ marble base affixed with a pair of lidded gilt bronze inkpots (glass inkwells absent), decorated with fine engine turned detail, flanking a ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble, 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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Marble
Inkwell in red marble with "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU
By Henri Chapu
Located in Paris, FR
Inkwell in red Griotte marble and gilt bronze representing an allegory of writing by Henri Chapu (1833-1891). This old 19th century inkstand is ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Louis XV1 Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Montreal, QC
This luxurious encrier de bureau is raised on scrolling and leafy feet mounting a malachite-finished base. The tray itself is modelled as a shell rising to a spring-loaded pen holder...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell
Located in New York, 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 Antique Napoleon III Inkwells
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Napoleon Iii inkwells for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III inkwells for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage inkwells created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III inkwells made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original inkwells, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Cristalleries De Baccarat, Henri Chapu, and Maison Marnyhac. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for inkwells differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $387 and tops out at $50,000 while the average work can sell for $2,005.