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Inkwells For Sale
Gilt Bronze and Champleve Enamelled Inkstand
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th Century gilt bronze and champlevé enameled inkstand with single well with hinge cover and pen rest. All raised up on bun feet. Dimensions H...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Iridescent Art Nouveau Art Glass Inkwell
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning early Art Nouveau iridescent art glass inkwell, circa 1900s. The piece features a gorgeous array of rainbow iridescence from greens to blues to...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Art Glass

19th Century French Bronze Green Opaline Glass Inkwell Set
Located in Guaynabo, PR
French Bronze Green Opaline Double Inkwells Set. It depicts a Japonisme style bronze tray with a pair of green opaline inkwell bottles mounted in round...
Category

19th Century French Japonisme Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Victorian Copper Figural Lobster Inkwell, Circa 1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Victorian Copper Figural Lobster Inkwell, Circa 1890's.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Copper

Baccarat Crystal Nautical Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary crystal inkwell from the renowned Baccarat is a piece of exquisite charm and grace. Featuring a doré bronze mermaid languishing upon the crest of a rolling wave, i...
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Vintage Must de Cartier crystal inkwell
Located in NEWARK, GB
A fine vintage Must de Cartier crystal inkwell. It is a melon shaped inkwell with a chunky ribbed crystal body, reflecting the light beautifully, the ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Tiffany Japonesque Hand Hammered Inkstand with Applied Bugs & Leaves
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque sterling silver ink stand. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1881. Square with concave sides and fluted corners on cast scroll and bead supports. Centrally mounted bal...
Category

Late 19th Century American Japonisme Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Bohemian Czech Art Nouveau Art Glass Inkwell with Water Lily Overlay
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning Bohemian Czech Art Nouveau inkwell with metal water lily overlay in the style of Loetz, circa 1900s. The green art glass well is capped with...
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Metal, Brass

Inkwell, Glazed Ceramic, Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Inkwell. Glazed ceramic. Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 17th century. Inkwell or spice rack with a square shaped hole that is made of glazed ceram...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Inkwell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver inkwell conjures memories of a time when letter writing was an art and people waited for letters from loved ones with anticipation....
Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Large Antique French Marble and Bronze Inkwell, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a stunning, large, antique French marble and gilt bronze double inkwell. The inkwells’ lids are hinged to the wells and have motifs of swirling leaves with berries culminatin...
Category

1870s French Louis XIV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Bronze Louis Philippe Period Inkwell and Bell Set, circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
The shaped and footed platform or stand with a central carrying handle and three fitted sections housing two inkwells and a sandwell all with removable lids, extending outward from the stand is a hook with a servant bell.
Category

1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Inkwells

Impressive Edwardian sterling silver ink stand by Barnards 1908 - 2.7kg
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1908 by Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd., this very handsome, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand, is plain in design, with reed detailing, 2 pots for ink,...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique English Golden Oak Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
A great little inkwell with warm colored golden oak wood.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Cut Glass Tortoise Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Cut glass tortoise inkwell. Vintage turtle pillbox inkwell of cut glass carrying a mounted finial topped circular lidded well originally for ink but cha...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Victorian Mother of Pearl Inlaid Inkwell
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely Victorian mother of pearl inlaid inkwell with cut glass ink containers. It's likely rosewood or some other hard wood like macassar ebony. It is in good condition for its age...
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Wood

Two 19th Century English Walnut Carved Victorian Dachshund Wiener Dog Inkwells
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of two very cute original 19th century carved wooden Victorian era wiener dogs or dachshund inkwells. The bigger one, which is a dachshund head, has a hinged lid that opens to r...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

French Empire Steel And Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (19th Century) steel inkwell with gilt bronze trim with four original glass inserts and a side drawer.
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Steel

XX Century Silver Plated Hare Inkwell
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Decorative XX century inkwell or box representing a silver plated hare.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Alp Giroux, Silver-plated Bronze Inkwell, Orientalist, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Silver-plated bronze inkwell representing a bust of an Arab wearing a turban, which hides the hole for the ink pot, placed on an onyx base This inkwell in the orientalist style is s...
Category

19th Century French Moorish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Art Nouveau Tiffany Studios Bronze "Zodiac" Pattern Inkwell on Tray #1078
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Tiffany Studios number 1078 bronze Art Nouveau "Zodiac" pattern inkwell. This bronze inkwell is permanently mounted on a tray featuring 11 zodiac signs throughout the piece with Libr...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Leuchars & Sons Brass Inlaid Boulle Inkstand with Spiral Crystal Inkwell
Located in valatie, NY
19th century English Leuchars & Sons brass inlaid boulle inkstand with spiral crystal inkwell, circa 1850. The inlaid base has cameos of cupids framed ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Vienna Bronze Cold Painted Pineapple Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vienna bronze cold painted pineapple inkwell with porcelain insert.
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Hand Inkstand / Inkwell Desk Piece
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A bronze sculpture of a hand with an open palm. Resting on the palm is a bronze object that resembles a traditional spinning top. The hand appears to be life-sized (Small Children s...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Early Century Art Nouveau Ink Well and Pen Holder
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This exquisite vintage Art Nouveau inkwell and pen holder is a true testament to the elegance and intricate craftsmanship of the early 20th century. Crafted from ornate metalwork, th...
Category

Early 20th Century Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Antique Black Forest Carved Wooden Pug Inkwell, 19th Century Dog Carving
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Carving in the Form of a Dog Raised up on his hind legs, the head with original glass eyes tilts back to reveal the original glass inkwell ins...
Category

19th Century German Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Antique Repousse Sterling Inkwell by Jacobi & Jenkins
By Jacobi & Jenkins
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare antique hand-hammered repousse lid sterling silver inkwell by Jacobi & Jenkins of Baltimore, circa 1900. The inkwell has a removable domed sterling repousse lid in a floral pa...
Category

Early 20th Century American Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

19th Century French Dore Gilt Gold Metal Double Inkwell Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th-century dore gold stag double ink well is an elegant and ornate piece crafted with a sense of luxury typical of the era. The glass Jars with delicate tops make this piece except...
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Mid 19th Century Partners Inkwell with Brass Double Top and Cut Crystal
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid 19th century partner's inkwell with a double opening brass top and a cut crystal daisy bottom. This is a great piece you don't see too many partner's...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Antique Porcelain Inkwell France Early 1900s Embossed Gold Accents Hand-Painted
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique French Porcelain Inkwell with Embossed Detailing and Gold Accents - Early 20th Century. Step back in time with this exquisite...
Category

Early 19th Century French Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very cute set of two 19th century Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Forêt Noir carved walnut dog and cat heads with glass eyes and ink well with log pen rest. Intricate carved detail to hair, teeth, eyes and paws. The cat has green glass eyes, has painted stripes and the log is painted darker. The inkwell insert...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass, Bone, Walnut

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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

French Chinoiserie Turquoise-Blue Porcelain Encrier Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
The underside of the cherry-blossom decorated palanquin forming the shade over the court figure with phoenix resting on the gilt-bronze mounted carton Pierre panel.
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century, French, Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell Signed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE).  
Category

19th Century Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

French Harlequin Ceramic Ink and Pen Stand by Aladin
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A lovely French Harlequin ceramic ink and pen holder by Aladin. The white ceramic piece features purple and gold accents throughout.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Art Nouveau sculpture desk Inkwell Stand, Figure of the Law and Justice 1900´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
WMF, superb Art Nouveau desk inkwell. Wonderful work. Maker mark for WMF. Model 288. The Lady is the Law. Similar to the justice sculpture See Photos...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Spelter

19th Century English Gold Washed Sheffield Silverplate Equestrian Themed Inkwell
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Unique Victorian English silverplate inkwell in the form of a horseshoe with hooves and lids with riding caps. Apparently unsigned. I unique collectible in ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Vista Alegre Porcelain Desk Inkwell
Located in Miami, FL
A Vista Alegre Porcelain figurative inkwell. Meticulous detail in the casting and hand painted decoration. Retain all the pieces intact. Circa late 1940s.
Category

1940s Portuguese Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

1900s Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Inkwell
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Inkwell With glass insert. Clearly marked on the bottom Tiffany Studios, New York, 842. 4“ x 4“ x 2“ tall. Wonderful original condition with on...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Art Nouveau Silver & Enamel Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau inkwell. Made by Emile Langlois in Paris, ca 1920. Hemispheric clear glass bowl with garland acid-etched to sides and diaper cut to underside. Neck collar 950 silver as i...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Japanese Hirado Porcelain Ink Pot Well Scholar Table, 19th Cen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Rare. Similar pieces are pictured in "Louis Lawrence : Hirado Prince of Porcelains. Lid not original. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French 19th Century "Vieux Paris" Jacob Petit Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Jacob Petit (1796-1868) was first a porcelain painter in the Sevres factory and then opened his own shop, where decorative porcelain was made and painted such as the inkwell shown here.
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Samuel Jacob Edwardian Sterling Silver Frog Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, unusual, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver inkwell in the form of a frog; part of our antique diverse ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Edwardian English sterling silver inkwell has been modelled in the form of a perched frog. The surface of this impressive novelty silver...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Louis XV Style Ormolu Inkwell, Late 19/Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Attributed to Leon Messager for Francois Linke, with Rococo and seashell Decoration.
Category

Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

Baroque Style Brass Inkwell Set and Letter Holder Stand
Located in Doylestown, PA
Baroque style solid brass double inkwell set with letter holder, c. 1900-1910. A gorgeous desktop accessory ornately adorned with cherubs, flowers and scrolling acanthus leaves. In...
Category

Early 1900s European Baroque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Chinese style blue & gold ceramic inkwell
Located in London, GB
A Chinese style blue and gold ceramic inkwell, with a hinged brass lid, mounted on a reticulated brass base.
Category

Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Antique Pair of Glass Inkwells with a Brass Lid and a Shield on Top
Located in Stamford, CT
A nice pair of mid-century glass inkwells with brass hinged lids and a shield on top. English lap desk style purchased by a private collector who trav...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Tiffany Wave Edge Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in New York, NY
Wave Edge sterling silver inkstand. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1884. Square with corner scroll-mounted supports. Centrally mounted bowl with hinged cover. Applied reeded a...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Gilded Bronze Inkwell, Pen Rest, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
French Gilded Bronze Inkwell, Pen Rest, 19th Century
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Very Fine Linke Figural Doré Bronze Crystal Inkwell Ormolu Drawer Candelabra
Located in Roslyn, NY
Extremely fine cherub figural two-tone doré bronze with original crystal inkwells and ink inserts attributed to F. Linke. The two cherubs sit atop this beautiful bronze piece which i...
Category

1890s French Rococo Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Repousse Sterling Inkwell by Howard & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare antique hand-hammered repousse sterling silver inkwell by Howard & Co. New York, circa 1903. The inkwell has a single back hinge to open the lid and a bun cap and the glass li...
Category

Early 20th Century American Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Gilt Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage 19th century inkwell is beautifully designed with a detailed sculpted doré' bronze reminiscent the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The figure is costumed in a draped g...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Eagle bronze inkwell, signed Anton Puchegger, Austria circa 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze inkwell depicting a standing eagle with folded wings. The sculpture rises on a rectangular base and, as it rotates, reveals the white ceramic ink container. Stag horn beak. Si...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Cranberry Glass Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Victorian English sterling silver and red cranberry glass inkwell; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver inkwell has a circular shaped domed form. The body of this exceptional antique inkwell is embellished with impressive pierced and embossed scrolling leaf decoration, accented with pensile, baluster style bead motifs. The ornamentation to the body incorporates five oval cartouches; four are ornamented with an embossed male profile: two bearded males and two in a soldier's helmet. The cartouche to the anterior surface of the inkwell features the contemporary engraved crest of a stag encompassed with a garter and the motto 'God and my Honour'. The intricate sterling silver body of the inkwell incorporates five conical shaped pen receivers. The swept waisted upper portion of this antique inkwell is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, ornamented with engraved simplified leaf decoration. The cover is surmounted with an impressive embossed three-dimensional bust of a male figure in robes. This antique inkwell retains the original and substantial red cranberry glass ink bottle liner, with a cut glass star motif to the underside; the cranberry glass liner is highly desirable. This exceptional silver and glass inkwell is supported by five swept feet, ornamented with a continuation of scrolling leaf and circular motif decoration from the body. This exceptional example of Victorian silverware, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell II, is the finest example of its type Condition This antique ink bottle...
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rene Lalique Clear and Frosted Glass 'Cernay' Inkwell
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Rene Lalique clear and frosted glass 'Cernay' Inkwell. This pattern features a cluster of berries to the lid and leaves to the base. Moulded makers mark, 'R. LALIQUE'. Book reference...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Three Sterling Silver Mounted Commemorative Horse Hoof Inkwells
Located in London, GB
These interesting inkwells were crafted in Britain between the Victorian period and early to mid-20th century. The works have been created from horse hooves, applied with sterling silver mounts. Each hoof has been set onto a silver horseshoe and features a silver top and lid. Two of the tops have been engraved to imitate real horse hair, while the third is more simple, with banded ornament. All three have been given covers, two of which feature commemorative inscriptions. One lid states, ‘The Grey/1907-1917’ — presumably the name of the favourite racehorse, whose hoof this is — and another reads, ‘Mavourneen/ Died June 29th / Aged 53’. ‘Mavourneen’ is an Irish Gaelic word meaning ‘my beloved’. The dedicatee’s age of 53 implies that they were a human, perhaps a jokey, or racehorse owner. The lids open up onto a silver-lined interior, intended to be used for storing ink as part of a desk arrangement. The inkwells are stamped, on their underside, with silver hallmarks and maker’s marks, ‘J.T.’ and ‘C & CS’. This set of three horse hoof inkwells...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Old Vienna Paris Porcelain Inkwell and Ink Blotter Desk Set - 2 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Old Vienna Paris Porcelain Inkwell and Ink Blotter Desk Set - 2 Pc Set. item features Painted scenes, beautiful color, crown mark to inkwell, ver nice antique set. Circa Ear...
Category

Early 1900s Other Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

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.

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