Inkwells

A sleek embodiment of refined minimalism, this Modernist Sterling Silver Ballpoint Pen, signed by Angela Cummings and dating to circa 1990, is an outstanding example of late 20th-cen...

This exceptional Art Deco fountain pen, crafted by Esterbrook in America circa 1935, embodies the sleek geometric design principles of the period...

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...

This is a 1930s French Art Deco style silvered spelter desk inkwell with wise owl motif. It has the original porcelain insert. The architectural form depicting wonderfully detailed r...

This Modernist Sterling Silver Ballpoint Pen with a sculptural clip, signed by the prestigious Tiffany & Co., is a remarkable blend of minimalistic elegance and functional design...

Exquisite antique Worcester porcelain desk inkstand and cover in "dragons in compartments" or "bengal tiger" pattern. A stunning piece of English Regency chinoiserie in imari palette...

A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...

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...

Antique American Bronze Black Americana Sculpture Johnny Griffin Inkwell American Bronze, glass c. 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 6.5cm x 8.5cm x ...

Antique Vienna Bronze Parrot Bird Sculpture Inkwell

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, ...

A quite stunning French green glass inkwell of substantial size, with extremely elegantly worked neoclassical mounts, intricate scrolling .The level of detail on this piece is quite...

This is a wonderful, large antique Victorian Egyptian revival inkstand by the Sheffield silversmith Henry Wilkinson & Co, Circa 1890 in date. It features a pair of cut glass detacha...

Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival inkwell desk set featuring a tomb form stamp box with a sphinx mounted on either side. The front section has a recessed pen tray. The piece is made of...

Quality antique Victorian Staffordshire Greyhound inkwell having a greyhound laying on a shaped blue coloured base, hand painted in wonderful blue an...

Great Baccarat inkwell with extensive crystal cut. Places for pens are at each side. France, late 19th century. .

This whimsical Jugendstil desk inkwell is cast as a grotesque bird, featuring a long hinged beak lid and rounded body raised on three webbed feet. Designed by Joseph Reinemann’s Muni...

Amazing group of vintage glass inkwells including: Round bulbous form blue ink well with glass hinged lid, brass collar, controlled air bubbles. Unmarked. Heavy piece with thick wal...

Art Nouveau green iridescent art glass inkwell, ca 1900 An inkwell with green iridescent blown glass with gilded Art Nouveau decorations. The patina on the sides of the decorations ...

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...

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...

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.

An outstanding late Victorian inkwell made from two cattle horns and mounted with silver plated fittings, a stunning combination and always highly sought-after; I haven't had one of ...

An Exquisite Example of an Early Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope of fairly large proportions of Continental origin, possibly French. Circa first half of the Nineteenth Century prob...

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...

Cut Crystal Inkwell with Hinged Silver-Plated Lid England or France Cut crystal, silver-plated metal Late 19th century Dimensions: H × W × D: 7 × 5 × 5 cm Description: A compact i...

French Art Deco Dodo Bird Inkwell by Maurice Frécourt, 1920s A striking and highly decorative French Art Deco inkwell by the noted sculptor Maurice Frécourt (1890–1961), created dur...

A limited-edition Parker Doufold Mandarin fountain pen with its original box, information and presentation paperwork. In bright Mandarin yellow with black details, 18K gold nib and g...

Inkwell with Cloisonné Enamel Origin: France Material: Bronze with polychrome cloisonné enamel Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 8 × 8 × 8 cm Description: This small in...

This striking 1930s Art Deco Italian inkstand is a beautiful testament to the era's streamlined elegance, masterfully carved from a solid piece of onyx marble with rich, warm honey a...

A wonderful and very large example of a figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with a beautiful bright patina. He retains his original large glass eyes, without d...

A superbly carved figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with great detail and retaining two large glass eyes. The hinged lid opens to reveal an inner ink chamber...

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...

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...

A handsome Victorian novelty inkwell, cast in bronze in the form of a King Charles Spaniel, beautifully executed with two lovely glass eyes. The underside is inscribed with a roma...

This exquisite antique inkwell is a stunning example of Art Nouveau design, shaped like a grotto shell and inscribed with "Souvenir du Croisir," capturing the romantic essence of a b...

Turquoise Glazed Faience and Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell by Théodore Deck (1823–1891), circa 1870 Rare desk inkwell signed TH. DECK, crafted in faience with the celebrated turquoise gl...

This is only the second time in many years of being in the antiques business that I have come across this wonderful figural equestrian inkwell. B...

Black and white glass ink well Brass nickel platend

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...

German Shepherd Dog Crystal Inkstand / Inkwell Desk Piece Desk decorative inkwell. The base of the inkstand is made of clear crystal, intricately cut glass with a pattern that reflec...

An exceptional, documented 1896 Victorian equestrian taxidermy inkwell, commissioned to commemorate a cherished horse named "Dandy." Mounted by the prestigious Army & Navy Co-Ope...

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...

A Viennese Austrian art deco desk inkwell. This is a beautiful desk inkwell created in Vienna Austria during the art deco period, between the 1918 and 1922. This Viennese inkwell wa...

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...

Little is known about the origins of this amazing lamp, apart from it being from France, circa 1900. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, f...

An Art Deco Swedish hammered silver ink well with silver pen. It is a complete set made and marked by the same maker Kynning Silvervaruverkstad GV ...

Townshend Art Metal Workers. Birmingham. An Anglo-Japanese brass pen/quill tray with a pair of porcelain inkwells decorated with cherry blossoms. Impressed makers mark.

Art Deco inkwell, circa 1920. Portor marble base surrounded by a wrought iron frieze decorated with leaves. Stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Height: 7.5 cm Width: 13.5 cm Le...

Al Thani collection, a Mughal Indian square white jade inkwell cover, circa 1800 Purchased from the Al Thani collection, Christies New York, Sal...

French Art Nouveau oval shaped bronze inkwell with pine cones and needles design (signed: ALBERT CHEURET)

An early 20th century, Jugendstil period inkwell by Erhard und Sohne. Austria ca. 1910 .Burl wood with Brass inlay  .Beautiful crafted piece .

A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished copper inkwell By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Circa 1920s Measures: 3.25"W x 3.25"D x 2.5"H. Good orig...

Elegant vintage inkwell featuring a clear faceted crystal glass base with a hinged sterling silver lid. The geometric cut crystal body paired with the polished silver top creates a r...

Large antique Black Forest (Schwarzwald) pen holder featuring two inkwells and a central bear figure; handcrafted from wood around the turn of the century (c. 1900) in Southern Germa...

Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen and Ballpoint Pen Set in 12K Gold Filled Diamond Pattern, USA, circa 1970 Elegant vintage two-piece writing set by Sheaffer, dating from the late 1960s...

The lacquer ground with a strong burgundy undertone. Well carved , colored and other wise decorated . The porcelain well in good Antique condition . Minor wear due to age and use .

Beautiful antique inkwell, made from glass with brass. France, circa 1880.

Founded in Geislingen an der Steige in 1853, Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) grew to become one of Europe's most influential manufacturers of decorative and domestic metalwa...

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...