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Inkwells For Sale
18th Century Venetian Bronze Figural Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Patinated bronze urn-shaped inkwell rests on three winged-horses evoking movement and action. The body of the inkwell is decorated with faces among garlands and the lid is topped by a seated putti holding fruitVenetian patinated bronze figural inkwell...
Category
18th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
English McClark Tartanware Ink Stand Circa 1810
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
English McClark Tartanware Ink Stand Circa 1810 to 1840. Rare.
Category
Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Hardwood
Vienna Bronze 19th Century Bird Inkwell
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Century Viennese bronze inkwell representing a bird resting on a branch, 13 cm high, 20 cm wide and 7 cm deep.
Additional information:
Material: Bronze.
Category
19th Century Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Inkwell and Sander with Classical Figure to the Lid
Located in London, GB
French inkwell in gilt bronze. Classical lady after the antique to the lid. She lying back against a rock with sandals and long robes and her arm over her head. To the inkwell front is an applied gilt bronze mount of palm fronds. The base has a fine decorative moulding...
Category
1890s French Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Charles X Mother of Pearl and Ormolu Watch Holder and Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
Mother of pearl and Ormolu watch holder and inkwell. The center of the piece is decorated with an angel who is standing on a pedestal that rests in a semi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Figural Inkwell, E.F. Caldwell and Co., circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
Gilt bronze figural inkwell, E.F. Caldwell and Co., circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Green Marble and Ormolu Ink Stand.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique handsome 19th century French green marble and ormolu ink stand.
Category
19th Century Antique Inkwells
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Inkstand and Pen Holder with Dog in Kennel and Boy
Located in London, GB
An attractive and unusual patinated bronze inkwell of a child feeding his dog which is chained to its kennel. The top of the kennel lifts off to reveal the porcelain inkwell within. The child in 19th...
Category
1850s French Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Bronze Inkwell by GAB, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant bronze inkwell produced by GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget), Sweden, circa 1930s. This beautifully crafted inkwell features a smooth, rounded pot with a sculptural finial lid, res...
Category
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Lode Van Boeckel Inkwell Holder with Wrought Iron Rosette
By Lodewijk Van Boeckel
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Inkwell holder with wrought iron rose bush, rose branch. Lode van Boeckel (Lodewijk, Louis) ± 1900
Ink jars possible from later date, they do not fit exactly in the holder.
35 ...
Category
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Wrought Iron
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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Ink Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French gilt bronze and marble ink stand,
Late 19th century. The verde antico marble with gilt bronze mounts, recesses and fitted with two glass jars, centering a gilt bronze figure ...
Category
19th Century 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
Late 19th Century French Bronze Inkwell Modelled as a Monkey Castrating a Cat!!
Located in London, GB
Well what can I say about this incredible Inkwell, I have seen many examples from this period that depict monkeys tormenting cats but I have never seen one that is quite this extreme...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
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
English Regency Ecrier and Match Strike in Patinated Bronze
Located in London, GB
English Regency figural ecrier or inkstand. Set upon a rectangular base with milled edges all around. The ecrier with pin tray to front and back with inkwell to one side and sander to the other. Quill holder...
Category
1810s English Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
English Regency antique inkwell ecrier in patinated bronze
Located in London, GB
A fine English Regency period patinated bronze inkwell in the shape of a long ship. The main body of the inkwell is in the form of a ship and in a form of shipbuilding known as clink...
Category
19th Century English Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Antique 20Thc Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell Jar c.1910
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell carved in the form of a bulldog head. The detail is of exceptional quality, featuring glass eyes and a red felt collar aroun...
Category
1910s British Other Vintage Inkwells
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Bronze Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Bronze Inkwell
Category
19th Century Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
English Regency Cherub Inkwell with Candleholder
Located in London, GB
Antique English Regency figural inkwell with candle holder.
In finely cast and original patinated bronze.
Set on ball feet the rectangular base has a figure of Cupid holding up a w...
Category
1810s English Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Wedgwood & Bentley Black Basalt Inkstand
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant inkwell set by Wedgwood & Bentley is crafted of black basalt, one of Wedgwood’s finest inventions. The set is comprised of two canisters, both held within an intriguing double stand. One is designed to hold ink and features a top with slots for quills or pens, and the other is a powder Shaker with a shell-ornamented lid. Black basalt refers to the fine-grained stoneware that Josiah Wedgwood, inspired by the hard, natural stone known as Egyptian basalt...
Category
18th Century English Other Antique Inkwells
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century French Crystal and Doré Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French etched crystal and doré bronze inkwell with bronze carved detail.
Category
19th Century French Antique Inkwells
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Victorian Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell, c.1860
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a bulldog with realistic red glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper buckle. The head is hinged an...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Brass
Bronze Inkwell of a Sleeping Putto
Located in Paris, FR
Small bronze inkwell dating from the first part of the 19th century. The lid of the inkwell represents a bed on which a putto is dozing. The whole rests on a rectangular base decorat...
Category
1850s French Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Inkwell Lamp Signed A. Féry, Art Nouveau Period. France, circa 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze inkwell lamp signed A. Féry. Art Nouveau period. France, circa 1890.
Dimensions with shade: 62 cm height.
Bronze signed A. Féry.
Category
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Inkwell of Large Proportions
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional 19th century Boulle work inkwell, of rectangular form, fitted with two cut glass ink wells and covers, with dished pen tray, decorated with cut brass arabesques...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Brass
Gilt Bronze Inkwell, "L'Amour timbalier", Louis XVI Style
Located in Paris, FR
Gilt bronze inkwell in the Louis XVI style, representing Love seated with two sticks in his hands, surrounded by timbales. The circular timbales in gilt bronze, are decorated with dr...
Category
1890s French Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
English Regency Inkwell in Patinated Bronze and Ormolu with Dolphin Mount
Located in London, GB
English Regency patinated bronze and ormolu double inkwell. Set upon a rectangular base with mercury gilt ormolu moulding of "stiff leaf and dart" design. The inkwell holder itself, ...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Restauration Period Inkstand in Ormolu and Patinated Bronze
Located in Paris, FR
Restauration inkstand composed of a high, gilt bronze base with two inkwells and two penholders, decorated with a frieze of stylized flowers. The rectangular lid is topped by a patin...
Category
1820s Restauration Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
English Regency Desk Set in Form of British Sailors Defending a Fort with Mortar
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare and very unusual bronze desk set in the form of British sailors ( or Jack Tars) defending or more likely attacking a fort with mortars. Set on bun feet with what ap...
Category
1810s English Regency Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century, Blue White Ceramic Pocket Inkwell
Located in Marseille, FR
Chinese ceramic pocket inkwell white blue late 19th century in its inlaid box. Dimension height 7 cm for a size of 21 cm long (once opened) for 9 cm deep.
Additional information:
...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells
Materials
Ceramic
Eclectic Collection of Five Continental Dog-Form Inkwells
Located in London, GB
Eclectic collection of five Continental dog-form inkwells
Continental, circa 1900
Measures: Largest: Height 12cm, width 30cm, depth 18cm
Smallest: Height 10cm, diameter 7.5cm
T...
Category
Early 20th Century European Inkwells
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Wooden Cased Inkwell Intricately Modelled as a Binocular Case, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Intricately carved in fruitwood, modelled as a leather case for opera glasses, circa 1900. Lifting the lid reveals two glass inkwells. This exquisitely crafted piece was originally m...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Inkwells
Materials
Fruitwood
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
19th Century French Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A very unusual porcelain inkwell in the 18th century style, with all three pots intact and a covered lid with a hand-painted porcelain dog. The e...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Other Antique Inkwells
Materials
Porcelain
Antique English Victorian Inkstand and Pen Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Charming little piece
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Inkwells
Materials
Silver Plate
C19th Carved Wood and Velvet Black Forest Inkwell with Dog
Located in London, GB
Wonderful German late 19th century carved wood black Forest inkwell. Beautifully carved with a seated dog on a naturalistic base of ferns and foliage, the cut glass inkwells retaining their original leaf carved stoppers...
Category
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Inkwells
Materials
Velvet, Cut Glass, Wood
Large Edwardian silver dog inkstand
By Louis Willmott
Located in London, GB
Wonderful antique silver cast and hand chased inkwell in the form of a hound. Beautifully modelled and fitted with a glass inkwell, it sits on its original carved and ebonised wooden...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Inkwells
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century Grand Tour Influenced Gilded Ormolu Ink Well, Stamped, Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century French gilded Ormolu Gran Tour influenced gilded Ormolu ink well, having classing motifs and Roman Centurion bust embo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkwells
Materials
Ormolu
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
Early Victorian Boulle-Work and Ebony Inkstand after George Bullock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine early Victorian Boulle-work and ebony inkstand after George Bullock, of circular form with an overall design of tortoiseshell camellias against pewter leaves on a brass ground...
Category
1840s English Antique Inkwells
Materials
Silver
19th c. English Brass Inkwell & Writing Desk Set, c.1880
Located in Worcester, GB
19th c. English brass inkwell & writing desk set c.1880
Period 19th c., English, c.1880
Composition Brass
Measures: Diameter 29 cm / 11 1/4 in
Height 15 cm / 6 in
Co...
Category
19th Century British Antique Inkwells
Materials
Brass
Victorian Silver Plate & Cut Glass Inkwell
Located in Worcester, GB
Victorian silver plate & cut glass inkwell
Period 19th c., English,
Manufacturer Elkington & Co
Composition Silver plate & crystal
Dimensions 31 x 21 x 16 cm
Conditi...
Category
19th Century British Antique Inkwells
Materials
Silver Plate
19th Century Mahogany Inkwell in the Form of a Capstan
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
19th century model of a ship's capstan in mahogany with a hinged lid enclosing an inkwell.
Category
1880s English Antique Inkwells
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
Gilt bronze inkwell forming a basket of grapes
Located in Paris, FR
Gilt bronze inkwell, concealed in a grape basket, revealing two cups. The rectangular base is adorned with four urns at the corners, acting as nib holders, and with an applied semi-c...
Category
1870s French Antique Inkwells
Materials
Bronze
Victorian English Silver and Turtle Inkwell : Single Rare Piece
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Very elegant and rare silver and turtle Victorian inkwell: a wonderful piece for Your desk.
Punched: London, 1884.
A/2128.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Silver
19th Century Italian Siena Marble Ink Set
Located in Esbeek, NL
Italian Siena marble ink set, 19th century or earlier.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Inkwells
Materials
Siena Marble
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
56" Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk Special Order
Located in Water Mill, NY
Rare 56" tall vintage Louis Vuitton special order steamer wardrobe trunk with leather handles and keys.
Category
1950s French Vintage Inkwells
Materials
Brass
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.