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Inkwells

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Inkwells For Sale
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, hHandicraft made in Italy
Located in VALENZA, IT
The inkwell, rectangular in shape, was completely handmade obtained from a silver plate and finely embossed and chiseled with scrolls and flowers, typical of the Italian Baroque of t...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Unique & Intricate Swiss Black Forest Style Hunting Ink Stand Original Inkwells
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted and probably unique work of Swiss hunting art. This is the most figural inkstand you may ever come across. No matter from what angle you l...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Inkwells

Materials

Brass

English Inlaid Boulle Inkwell on Chase Feet, Circa 1840
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Boulle brass inlaid one-drawer inkwell with original fluted glass brass capped ink bottles, decorative floral carrying handle and resting on original chased ball feet, Mid-19...
Category

1840s English William IV Antique Inkwells

Repousse Gorham Sterling Silver Inkwell Custom Order Ornate, 1887 Hollowware
Located in Big Bend, WI
Repousse by Gorham monumental inkwell with repousse design, gadroon borders, and beading. It has a vaseline glass insert; the glass insert has a chip. The piece has a monogram that r...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Regency period bronze and ormolu gothic encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu encrier, having inkwells and star pierced sander, contained in Gothic fret body, supported on leaf decorated plinth base.
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

English Victorian Period 1890s Stamped Silver Inkstand with Crystal Inkwells
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English stamped silver inkstand from the late 19th century, with two crystal inkwells. Born during the later years of Queen Victoria's reign, this ex...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Silver

French Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell with Eagle
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) bronze dore inkwell with perched eagle and acorn finial (signed A. MARIONNETt)
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

French Patinated Metal and Iridescent Glass Inkwell, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
French patinated metal and iridescent glass inkwell, circa 1900. With lions head as cover.
Category

Early 20th Century French Inkwells

Materials

Glass

French Victorian Green Marble Inkwell with Tiger
Located in New York, NY
French Victorian green marble double inkwell with bronze trim and centered figure of tiger.
Category

19th Century French Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Bronze Inkwell Modelled as Ram's Head
Located in Montreal, QC
There was a great appetite for things Scottish in Victorian England. Plaids, Scottish regiments, Tartan Carpets, Marmalade etc. The ram's head also makes...
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Italian Empire Silver Inkstand
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Silver Inkstand. Roman sterling silver inkstand of sober neoclassical form comprising double pots for sander and inkwell with acorn fini...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Edwardian Sterling Silver and Crystal Footed Inkstand
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver, footed inkstand with original sterling silver-mounted, panel-cut crystal inkwell, London, 1912, Hawksworth, Eyre & Co. - ma...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Picket Fence English Letter Rack and Silver Inkstand
Located in Port Chester, NY
Charming and unique little desk accessory. Picket fence letter rack, place to hold a pen, and a lovely silver plate top inkwell. Feather pen.
Category

1930s English Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Wood, Glass, Feathers

English Tortoise Shell Desk Set with Ink Wells, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
English one drawer Tortoise shell desk set with the original matching crystal and brass cap ink wells. All original, Early 19th century.
Category

1820s English George III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass

19th Century French Figural Bronze and Gilt Inkstand
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This beautifully detailed French bronze and gilt inkwell shows a Revolutionary figure sounding an alarm of impending uprise while standing on a cobblestone street with a gilt metal document box...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Metal

A French Handcrafted Letter Kit with Stamp, Letter Opener, and Paper Weight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Hand Crafted Letter Kit with Stamp, Letter opener, and paper weight with Original Box France, Circa 1900 Signed: H. Moreau Letter Ppener: 9.75" Stamp: 3.25″ Paper...
Category

20th Century French Inkwells

Black and White Glass Inkwell
Located in Wien, AT
Black and white glass ink well Brass nickel platend
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Early and Rare Royal Copenhagen Writing Set with Two Inkwells, circa 1850s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Early and rare Royal Copenhagen writing set with two inkwells. hand-painted with flowers. Stamped, circa 1850s. 1st. factory quality, in good condition, one lid with small c...
Category

1850s Danish Biedermeier Antique Inkwells

Mother of Pearl English Desk Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very elegant mother of pearl English desk inkwell. In very good conditions. Perfect for a lady's desk. It´s a perfect chic object.
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Rare Inkwell in Carved Crystal and Worked Silver by Lucien Gaillard
By Lucien Gaillard
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful inkstand in carved crystal, with frame and cover in embossed silver. Signed by Lucien Gaillard (1861-1942), 107 rue La Boétie, Paris. Lucien Gaillard arises from silve...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Silver

6-Piece English Arts & Crafts Silver Desk Set
Located in New York, NY
English Arts & Crafts 6 piece sterling silver desk set with Egyptian scarabs and wing design. Desk pad, inkwell, pen tray, stamp box, roll blotter, letter holder. (PRICED AS SET)
Category

Late 19th Century English Egyptian Revival Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

English Victorian Silver and Blue Glass Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian silver and blue glass inkwell. Marked: George Fox, London, 1878.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver

French Victorian Boule Brass Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Victorian Boulle-style square tortoise shell and brass inlaid inkwell with crystal well.
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass

19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Antique English 1907 Pocket Watch Inkwell Sterling Silver Top Burst Base Crystal
Located in Stamford, CT
This is part of a private collection, we have acquired over 350 small antiques which are all from the 18th & 19th century. Antique 1907 partners base sterling silver pocket watch in...
Category

Early 1900s Great Britain (UK) Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Inkstand 'Encrier'
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base mounted with a round lidded ink pot with a porcelain container and a sand pot, each raised on winged lion feet, centered by a ...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau Double Inkwell Brass & Solid Crystal circa 1890
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is the perfect desk accessory for any decor but especially decorative in the Art Nouveau taste. The solid brass and crystal base supports 2 matching crystal inkwells which are s...
Category

19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

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

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Carved Dog Pen Holder
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Century) walnut pen holder and inkwell with carved dog head leaning on log
Category

19th Century German Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Walnut

Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine Russian Empire gilt- and patinated bronze desk top inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810. Rectangular shaped base raised on four turned fee...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau Brass Crystal Malachite Inkwell
Located in Westport, CT
Rare and unusual Art Nouveau brass crystal malachite decorated inkwell with circular base.
Category

20th Century French Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Malachite, Brass

Empire Style French Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Empire style French bronze inkwell. Dark patinated cast bronze encrier/ink-stand on paw feet with original pine cone lidded glass ink-wells and...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Gilt Bronze Equestrian Inkwell, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
Gilt bronze equestrian inkwell, circa 1870.
Category

1870s English Antique Inkwells

Materials

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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

1900s English Crystal and Silver Plated Sheffield Inkwell on Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1900s English crystal and silver plated Sheffield inkwell on handled tray. The tray measurement is: Depth: 10 inches. Height: 2.75 inches. Width: 14 inches. The measurement below...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Italian Gray Marble Inkwell, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
A gray marble circular inkwell with marble stopper.
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Marble

French Louis XVI Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Pembroke, MA
Rouge marble and gilt bronze inkwell with seated angel, in the neoclassical style, signed "Francois Flamand".
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

English Victorian Bronze Horseshoe Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian bronze inkwell with crystal horseshoe cap and square white onyx base.
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

A Large 19th Century French Gilt-Bronze Ink Well with Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large 19th Century French Gilt-Bronze Ink Well with Handle France, Circa 1890 Dimension: Height: 6", Width: 20", Depth: 9" Excellent Cond...
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

French Silver and Enamel Inkstand, circa 1920
Located in New York, NY
French silver and yellow enamel inkstand, circa 1920.  
Category

Early 20th Century French Inkwells

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Large Edwardian Style Sterling Silver Bell-Form Inkwell With Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Large, Edwardian-style, sterling silver, bell-form inkwell, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1927. Maker's mark is rubbed. Measures: 5 inches high x 4 1/2 inches diameter (at...
Category

1920s English Edwardian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver, Gold

French Macassar Inkwell
Located in Cathedral City, CA
1920s inkstand made in Macassar wood with original glass inkwells.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Early 19th Century French Ormolu-Gilded Inkwell
Located in Copenhagen, K
French cut-glass, Palisander and ormolu inkwell. Sneaks as handle and claw on ball feet. Original glass wells and two drawers.
Category

Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

French Art Nouveau Bronze Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Handmade bronze inkwell consists of three removable cups, the largest of which has a removable top. Inkwell depicts leaves and flowers. Signed VieiAard.
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

19th Century English Brass and Milk Glass Dog Inkwell
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century English brass and milk glass dog inkwell.
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Art Deco Glass Ink Well
Located in Asheville, NC
Glass inkwell with ball-peened silver flip cap. Blackened body with deco-clover pattern inside the glass.
Category

19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Victorian Inkwell with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in NYC, NY
Fine mid-19th century inkwell with inlaid mother-of-pearl decoration surrounding pen trays, a lidded compartment and two crystal inkwells. The whole raised atop four flattened bun feet.
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Empire Gilt-Bronze & Variegated Green Marble Desk Set, c.1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
The base is composed of variegated green marble with a pen tray, ormolu trim and patarae motif. The ormolu well with lid is beautifully decorated with laurel wreath garland surround...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble

Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Dog inkwell desk accessory hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Cut Glass, Wood

French Art Deco Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a top original Art Deco quality made desk piece. Besides an intricately decorated large pair of inkwell holders this work of beauty also comes with a pair of perfect size and shape, bronze handles. The lids of this rare collectable open and close perfectly too and the ink holders even come with the original, glass inkwells. Because of the design and because of its weight, this attractive Gothic desk piece stands very strong and firm on its feet. Also the marble pen holder...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Porcelain Inkwell, Handpainted, France, 1880s
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful Porcelain Inkwell from France, 1880s. Wonderfully hand-painted with brass lid.
Category

19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest carved box Constructed from stained and patinated Lindenwood, the lockable box carved to resemble a tied sheaf with its accom...
Category

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Wood

French Ormolu Silver Bronze Desk Ink Set Filigre Cherub Mount Regency Grand Tour
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French “Grand Tour” Filigree mounted ormolu & silver-plated bronze desk inkwell Encrier of exhibition quality, early Nineteenth Century, possibly Regency period. Complete with its original heavy gauge hand cut crystal ink jar and decorative ormolu and silver hinged cover. This exquisite desk piece of circular form with oval vignettes depicting neoclassical cherub group scenes on a lavish cast ormolu filigree...
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century English Brass Resting Dog Double Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English brass resting dog double inkwell, the wells opening to the left and the right.
Category

Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Grand Tour French Empire Green Glass Ormolu Mounted Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Emerald green glass mounted inkwell with ormolu frieze of laurels, demigods and an eagle (lid). minor wear, interior ink reservoir chipped. Minor wear to gilding. Good overall cond...
Category

Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

Antique English Double Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 20th century English desk set made of a carved oak platform with a black lacquer surface embellished with silver plate details. Form fitting inserts hold a pair of square cryst...
Category

1910s English Georgian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate

Late 19th Century French Cut Crystal and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in Chicago, IL
French late 19th century cut crystal and ormolu inkwell.
Category

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

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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