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Inkwells For Sale
Gorham Sterling Silver 1886 Table Top Double Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Gorham sterling silver tabletop double inkwell from 1886 with intricately pierced figural gallery. It contains two glass inkwells with sterling silver caps and has an open compartment with hinged door. A great gift and addition to one's home or collection. It measures 7 3/4'' in length by 2 7/8'' in height by 4 3/4'' in depth, and bears hallmarks and monograms as shown. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing–approximately 1850 to 1940–Gorham was one of the most influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services...
Category

1880s American Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Cartier Pasha Inkwell
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice little Cartier Crystal Inkwell. It came with a matching Pasha Pen. It is dated 1989 and signed on the interior of the lid and features the logo on the...
Category

1980s French Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Baccarat "Victor Hugo" Crystal Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French midcentury (1980s-1990s) limited edition (28/450) " Victor Hugo" crystal inkwell with a six-sided shape and a cut star base (signed BACCARAT). Baccarat Crystal has, from the...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Inkwells

Materials

Crystal

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

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

Inkwell WMF Germany Juatice silver plate Art nuveau.
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Inkwell WMF Germany (Juatice) silver plate, crica 1920 Art nuveau. Art nouveau, modernist art or modernism was an international artistic and decorative movement, developed between ap...
Category

1920s German Art Nouveau Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Pewter

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

Ceramic Inkwell, Talavera De La Reina, Spain, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Talavera Inkwell, 18th century. Glazed pottery Talavera ceramic inkwell, decorated with cobalt blue enamel on a white tin slip with restorations" Size: 16 x 16 x 7 cms.    
Category

18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Bronze Inkwell, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Bronze inkwell is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century. A very elegant bronze inkwell decorated with a rampant horse. Includ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Naturalistic Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Novelty 'Fruit Design' Ink Stand
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1874 by Daniel & Charles Houle, this very unusual, Victorian, Antique, sterling silver ink stand has a shaped wooden base with applied silver leaf decoration ...
Category

1870s English Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Unusual Carved Walnut Wood Inkwell from France, Circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved from walnut in France, circa 1880, this unusual inkwell features foliate and floral motifs. A flip-top lid adorned with a pair of bas relief flowers tops the central pen ...
Category

1880s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Faience Quimper Inkwell Pen Tray, circa 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming antique French faience Quimper double inkwell and pen tray desk set, circa 1900. This gorgeous inkwell is hand painted with a traditional Breton man surrounded by bagpipes...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Faience

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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Ecritoire Desk in Burled Elm, circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
This large and stylish 19th century French ecritoire is made of a beautiful burl elm veneer and ebonized wood with an intricate applique design to the top. An ecritoire is typical...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

Art Deco Sterling Silver Inkwell by John & William Deakin
Located in San Diego, CA
Art Deco sterling silver inkwell by John & William Deakin of Chester, England, circa 1921. The inkwell has a single back hinge to open the lid and a saucer cap as well as the origina...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Flight Barr & Barr Porcelain Inkwell, Homage to Robert Burns, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Those familiar with the finest quality porcelains produced by the Worcester Warmstry House Factory will understand how exceedingly rare and impressive this inkwell truly is. Not only...
Category

1810s British Egyptian Revival Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Art Nouveau Blue Spider Lamp by Unknown European Artist
Located in Chicago, US
European spider table lamp, c. 1925. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard pa...
Category

1920s Unknown Art Nouveau Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

English Victorian Brass and Crystal Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass and crystal shell shaped inkwell with coral design details.  
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass

19th Century Belgium Louis XV Rococo Repousse Brass Inkwell with Letter Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's desk or study with this elegant antique inkwell; crafted in Belgium, circa 1880, the desk accessory stands on scroll feet over a scalloped apron, and features intric...
Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Louis XV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Metal

Viennese Cold-Painted Bronze and Marble Inkstand by Franz Xaver Bergman
Located in London, GB
Viennese cold-painted bronze and marble inkstand by Franz Xaver Bergman Austrian, c. 1910 Height 22cm, width 40cm, depth 17cm Crafted by the renowned Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936)...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Art Deco Stoneware Inkwell by Louis Dage, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A blue, green and gold stoneware desk writing set with four pieces and golden bronze details, with “L DAGE Grés Manganése “ marks at the bottom. Beautiful and timeless. Plate/Base:...
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Victorian Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Desk Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell, part of our antique silver and gl...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Grand Tour Serpentine Inkwell and Cover Inset with 7 Lava Stone Cameos, 19th C
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 cameos of historical figures, fitted with 3 quill holders, 2 inkwells and a pounce pot. The underside of the lid is framed with a circular gouache dep...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Inkwells

Materials

Serpentine

Eugène Feuillâtre "Pavot" Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
This stunning enamel, silvered metal, and gilt metal "Pavot" inkwell by Eugène Feuillâtre features peacock feather embellishments. The Inkwell lies under the gilded and silvered metal poppy seed pod lid, to which the title pavot (translated to English as poppy) refers. The vessel is vaguely pumpkin-shaped with negative space in a honeydew green, with white peacock feathers featuring purple and turquoise details. Product Details: Item #: S-21164 Artist: Eugène Feuillâtre Country: France Circa: 1900 Dimensions: 2.25" height, 3.5" diameter Materials: Enamel, Silvered Metal, Gilt Metal Signed: impressed Feuillâtre Exhibition History: Examples of this inkwell can be found in the permanent collections of Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva (inv. no. E 01500), Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (inv. no. 8746), and Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg (inv. no. 1966.1). Salon des Artistes français, 1898. Literature: L. Bénédite, et. al., "Exposition Universelle de 1900: Les Beaux-Arts et les Arts Decoratifs," Gazette des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1900, p. 510 (for a related example). H. Frantz, "E. Feuillatre, Emailleur," L’Art Décoratif, no. 28, Paris, January 1901, p. 166 (for a related example). C. Saunier, "Céramique, Verrerie, Émail," L’Art Décoratif, no. 34, Paris, July 1901, p. 155 (for a related example). R. Marx, La Décoration et les Industries d'Art à l'Exposition Universelle de 1900, Paris, 1901, p. 95 (for a related example). M. P. Verneuil, "L'Émail et les Émailleures," Art et Décoration, no. 2, Paris, February 1904, pp. 37-39 (for a related example). M. Rheims, L'Objet 1900, Paris, 1964, p. 34, no. 18 (for a related example). P. Garner, ed., The Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts 1890-1940, New York, 1978, p. 95 (for a related example). Die Jugendstil - Sammlung: Band 1: Künstler A-F, exh. cat., Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1979, pp. 465-466, cat. no. 655. A. Duncan, The Paris Salons 1895-1914, Volume V: Objets d'Art & Metalware, Suffolk, 1994, p. 252 (for related examples). G. de Bartha, L'Art 1900: La Collection Neumann, New York, 1994, p. 128 (for a related example). J. T. Busch and C. L. Futter, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851-1939, exh. cat., Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, 2012, p. 196, no. 9 (for a related example). Macklowe Gallery Curator's Notes: Eugène Feuillâtre’s career began in René Lalique’s enamelling...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Metal, Enamel

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 Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble

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

2-Piece Victorian Gothic Iron Double Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian Gothic-style wrought iron double inkwell with (later) crystal wells and filigree back-rail. (with calendar stand) (PRICED AS SET).  
Category

20th Century Gothic Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Iron, Wrought Iron

English Victorian Mahogany Double Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian mahogany and brass inlaid trim double inkwell with crystal wells having copper top lids and letter holder backrail.  
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Copper

A Russian silver inkwell, jeweler: Johann Fredrik Akerblom, St. Petersburg 1836.
Located in Milan, IT
A Russian silver figured inkwell, jeweler: Johann Fredrik Akerblom, taster Mikhail Mikhailovich Karpinshií. Cylindrical inkwell raised on four feet with chiseled and knurled floral e...
Category

1830s Russian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Silvered Brass and Gilt Encrier with Shepherdess and Monogram, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
This charming encrier, or inkwell, is made from silvered brass and gilt bronze. A central gilded figure holding a shepherd’s crook stands on top of a hexagonal pedestal with supporti...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Bronze

Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional sterling silver inkwell was presented to Henry Morton Stanley, the famed Welsh-American journalist, politician and explorer, on the occasion of his marriage to Dorothy Tennant. The inkwell was a royal gift from the Prince of Wales, the future King George V, and the Princess of Wales. The charming inkstand was designed by Walter & John Barnard for the royal silversmiths Elkington & Co., and no detail was spared in its creation. Each inkwell bears Stanley’s monogram, while the crest of the Prince and Princess adorns the delicately pierced tray. The inscription reads, “To H. M. Stanley on the occasion of his marriage / From the Prince & Princess of Wales / July 12th, 1880.” Born in Wales, Henry Morton Stanley’s lifetime of adventure began at the young age of 15 when he crossed the Atlantic aboard a merchant vessel and jumped ship in New Orleans. The young orphan was taken in by a local merchant named Henry Morton Stanley, whose name he took as his own. Stanley began a career as a journalist and was commissioned by the New York Herald to go to Central Africa in search of the famous missionary David Livingstone...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver

19th Century Baccarat Crystal Inkwell with Elaborate Sterling Silver Top
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This exquisite inkwell exhibits the mastery of Baccarat's workmanship. The molded crystal body is decorated in one of their more rare Classic patterns Moulure Russe with concentric swirling spirals...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal

Early 20th Century Double Ink Well Red and Black with a Pen Wipe London, England
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 20th century crystal double ink well with a sterling silver lid from London England circa 1906. The crystal ink well is for red and black ink an...
Category

Early 20th Century English Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand, London 1798 Henry Greenway
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1798 by Henry Greenway, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, is plain in style, and feature...
Category

1790s English Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian Gilt and Patinated Bronze Ram's Head Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Fitted with candle arms in the shape of horns surmounted by a nozzle with gadrooned circular drip pans and with headdress moulded as cover opening to reveal a circular detachable gla...
Category

19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

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

English Victorian Brass Owl Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass owl inkwell on rectangular tray.  
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

19th Century Russian Malachite and Gilt Bronze Large Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare and exceptional 19th century Russian gilt bronze and malachite inkwell. Gilt Sphinx with two ink deposits and double sided pen holders.
Category

Late 19th Century Baltic Baltic Antique Inkwells

Materials

Malachite

19th-Century Silver and Exotic Wood Inkwell in the Shape of a Piano
Located in Madrid, ES
An exceptional 19th-century inkwell crafted in the form of a grand piano, made from exotic woods with exquisite silver marquetry inlays. The inkwell’s design replicates the elegance ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Fruitwood

Napoleon III Inkwell with Egyptian Inspiration
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This Egyptian-style inkwell was crafted in France during the reign of Napoleon III. The centerpiece of the inkwell features a depiction of the goddess Hathor. Front-facing and hiera...
Category

Late 19th Century French Egyptian Revival Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique 19th century bronze gilded inkwell with malachite
Located in Bilzen, BE
A richly engraved gilded bronze inkwell decorated with cabochon polished malachite stones Fully engraved in Louis XIV style 19th century both glass inside inkholders missing 11.5 x ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

French Victorian Green Marble Inkwell with Tiger
Located in Queens, 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

19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Category

1890s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal

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

19th Century Gilt Bronze French Inkwell
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful mid-19th century gilt bronze French inkwell. Measures: 6 1/2' wide by 4" deep by 4 3/4" tall.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has a naturalistic-shaped form. The surface of the stand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral ornamentation, incorporating a scroll bordered cartouche bearing the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an elephant's head. The stand is further ornamented with scrolling designs encompassing an oval recess, composing a pen well. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand...
Category

1840s British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Jennings & Bettridge Grand Tour Papier Mache Desk Set Inkstand Encrier
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Heavy Gauge English Grand Tour highly decorative Papier Mache Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions. First half of the Nineteenth Century. Firmly attributed t...
Category

19th Century English Grand Tour Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal

Tiffany Studios New York Bronze and Green Glass Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Among the most visually alluring and technically excellent of all Tiffany Studios New York's desk accessories, the exciting design for this refined but robustly rounded inkwell features green blown glass in pinched triangular forms that appear to dance in perfectly coordinated movement around the circumference of the piece. The negative space between the blown green glass appears in the form of stylized flowers with Minimalist linear accents in patinated bronze. Artist: Tiffany Studios New York Country: United States circa 1900 Dimensions: 3.75" height, 6.25" diameter Materials: Leaded glass, bronze Signed: "Tiffany Studios New York 25055” along with the Tiffany Studios monogram...
Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, French, Patinated Bronze Hunting Dog and Duck Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's desk or office with this antique dog and bird inkwell. Created in France circa 1870 and attributed to Jules Moiniez, the sculpture composition depicts a setter head ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

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 inkwell...
Category

Early 1900s Great Britain (UK) Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Rare black Forest rooster inkwell 19th century Swiss glass eyes 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

Glass, Wood

English Victorian Papier-Mache Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian papier mache rectangular inkwell with gold stenciled and floral painted decoration with a small center box between 2 square sh...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Gold

French Art Nouveau Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau oval shaped bronze inkwell with pine cones and needles design (signed: ALBERT CHEURET)
Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

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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