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Inkwells

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Inkwells For Sale
Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell, Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Inkwell in red marble with "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.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

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 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

Wood

Black Forest Carved Large Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, Exceptional Carving
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Large Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwel...
Category

1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Softwood

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

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

Antique French Cloisonné Enamel & Gold Bronze 7 Piece Inkwell Desk Set, Ca. 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Cloisonné Enamel & Gold Bronze 7 Piece Inkwell Desk Set, Circa 1890. Includes: Inkwell, Pen Holder, Drip Box (with pencil sharpener an...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

20th Century Italian Solid Silver Inkstans Empyre Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Empire style 800 silver inkstand The base of the inkstand, completely handmade, is shaped like a "cathedral". The classic "palmettes" of the Empire style have been chiseled around i...
Category

1990s Empire Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Late 19th c. French Hand Painted Faience Inkwell, signed Alice Chaumeil
Located in Winter Park, FL
A good French inkwell faience with great colors and details. Minors chips on the edges but overall condition. Signed CA,, with number 820. From Alcide Chaumeil's atelier in Paris ac...
Category

Early 20th Century European French Provincial Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Bois Durci Ink Stand
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This large Bois Durci ink stand features an intricately moulded base, upon which sit two glass inkwells and a central urn shaped container. The glass inkwel...
Category

1880s French High Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Ebony

Art Nouveau Repousse Brass & Glass Inkwell
Located in Austin, TX
Circa 1900, this antique inkwell exemplifies the Art Nouveau period in decorative arts through the shape of its glass bowl and repousse brass-hinged cov...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Silver Plate & Cut Glass Oval Shaped Inkwell, Scotland, 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique silver plate & cut glass oval shaped inkwell, Scotland 1910, H553 Scotland 1910 Silver plate and glass Oval shaped stand Cut glass inkwell All standing on clawfeet Measur...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Black Forest Carved Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, with Pen Tray, Swiss, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwell, the dogs front paws mounted on a naturalistically carved hollowed tree forming the pen tray, Brienz, Switzerland ca. 1880. *Jay Arenski, et al, quotes Swiss Poet Heinrich Federer, who said in his memoirs, "Woodcarving brought riches to the village [of Brienz]. It became all the fashion and no Englishman left the Bernese Highlands without having seen the Giessbach, having eaten a fat roasted eel, and having bought a Brienz woodcarving." Arenski continues, "Thus, as the tourist industry flourished and thrived, so did the carvers, selling their wares to the well-heeled visitors." This fashion had been set in motion by Queen Victoria's visit to the area in April 1868, and by her subsequent inspiration to build a Swiss chalet at Osborne House and fill it with Black Forest Swiss carvings...
Category

1880s Swiss Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Softwood

Antique Anglo-Indian Styled Cast Metal Figural Camel Inkwell or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique cast and cold-painted inkwell has no maker's marks, but presumed to have originated from Austria and dating to approximately 1900 and done in the Anglo-Indian style. Thi...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Anglo-Indian Inkwells

Materials

Spelter

Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver inkstand; an addition to our ornamental office silverware collect...
Category

1910s British Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Napoleon III Black Gutta Percha Inkstand, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The black inkstand with a molded lion decoration with a shell pen tray. The two glass inkwells on either end.
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Rubber

Antique Brass Double Inkwell, Scotland, 1900
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique brass double inkwell, Scotland 1900, H545 Scotland 1900 Brass and glass Inkwell comes with stamp holder and lid Two glass inkwell...
Category

Early 1900s Scottish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Silver Inkstand Inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Antique silver inkstand inkwell, London 1899 Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. Plain rectangular form on four turned feet, shaped Chippendale li...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Walker & Hall Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver and Glass Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and glass desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent antique silver desk...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Equestrian / Jockey CAP Inkstand / Inkwell, C.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome Horseshoe shaped inkstand, the base made from solid English Oak mounted with a silver plated horseshoe and a square gallery to secure the glass inkwell. The glass inkwell is topped with a hinged brass lid in the form of a Jockey's cap with a silver plated peak, slight wear to edge. There is a support for a dip pen...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

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 Double Inkstand, Linage Blue and Gilt, France, 1900, H565
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique double inkstand, linage blue and gilt, France 1900, H565 France 1900 Porcelain Floral decoration to the back Pair of porcelain inkwells with lids Pen rest Stamp holder to th...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Derby Imari Pattern Partners Porcelain Inkwell and Quill Pen Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine, rare and unusual antique English Derby partners porcelain inkwell and quill pen holder decorated in the Imari pattern and dating from the early ...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Onyx Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver - mounted onyx inkwell, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1915. Measures 3 3/4 inches wide (at widest point) x 2 1/4 inches high x 4 inches deep. So...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Onyx, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Loetz Styled Green Iridescent Art Glass Inkwell with Brass Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique art glass inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Art Nouveau style. The body of the inkw...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cricket Ball Inkwell
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Rare Novelty Cricket Inkwell. A wonderful leather covered traveling inkwell in the shape of a cricket ball. This is a very desirable, rare and unusual ob...
Category

Early 20th Century British Inkwells

Materials

Brass

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

English 19th Century Victorian Period Crystal Inkwell Carried by Four Children
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Victorian period crystal inkwell from the 19th century, with gilded children. Created in England during the 19th century, this inkwell captures our attention with its unus...
Category

19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid 19th Century Inkwell in the Form of a Pocket Globe
Located in London, GB
A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pewter

Inkwell Glass and Nickel Combination Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Inkwell glass and nickel combination around 1920s Original condition.
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Nickel

Royal Vienna 19th Century Hand Painted Double Inkwell
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautifully hand painted Royal Vienna double inkwell. The floral decoration on the stand and the two removable original ink holders with hinged lids. The Royal Vienna beehive...
Category

1890s Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Antique English Derby Porcelain Ink Stand Dish on Tray, England 1870, H563
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique English Derby porcelain ink stand dish on tray, England 1870, H563 Scotland 1870 Tray with blue ground with gilt floral decoration Sin...
Category

1870s Scottish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Metal Inkwell, Painted Inkstand, Germany 1930, H301
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Metal Inkwell, Painted Inkstand, Germany 1930, H301 Germany 1930 Metal German Inkwell Stand With Carving To The Front Lift Up Lid With...
Category

1930s German Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
By George Josef Burgstaller
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER (German/Austrian) Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller ruge marble.
Category

1890s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

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

Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category

1930s German Black Forest Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French gilt bronze inkwell. Perfect coffee table art or desk statement piece. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Very Nice Late 19th Century Bronze and Marble 3 Piece Desk Set
Located in New York, NY
A very nice late 19th century bronze and marble 3 piece desk set. The large Chinese designed rectangular desk set centered with a bronze crane and two ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Brass Double Inkstand, Inkwell, Desk Set, Scotland 1910, H526
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Brass double inkstand, inkwell, desk set, Scotland 1910, H526 Scotland 1910 Solid brass With letter holder to the back Pen holder to the back Pair of brass inkwells with lid...
Category

1910s Asian Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Boulle Inkstand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with two cut glass inkwells and pen tray over a drawer. The sides rounded. The inspiration for the decoration from designs by the master cabinet maker Andre Charles Boull...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Imperial Manufacture of Sevres Porcelain Inkwell
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful 19th century French porcelain inkwell from the imperial manufacture of Sevres. Green and gold decor with dolphin's head. Stamped Sevres at the back. Rare item.
Category

19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform base ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Silver Plate Hoof Inkwell with Pen Rest, by Rowland Ward & Co
Located in Reepham, GB
A late 19th century silver plate mounted horse hoof inkwell, the lid and horseshoe of silver plate, the hinged lid opening to the glass inkwell wit...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Art Deco English Sterling Silver Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set London, 1910
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Sterling Silver Art Deco Period Embossed twin ink bottle desk standish, complete with all its accessories to include a pair of removable silver mounted...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Antique Metal Inkwell, Painted Inkstand, Germany 1930, H300
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Metal Inkwell, Painted Inkstand, Germany 1930, H300 Germany 1930 Metal German Inkwell Stand With Carved Oval Face Having A Pen Rest Li...
Category

1930s Scottish Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Metal

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

Antique English Figural / Novelty Ostrich Inkwell C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome and substantial novelty inkwell in the form of a running Ostrich standing on an oval shaped base with a naturalistic base incorporating two "rocks" acting as a pen rest. I...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Silver Plated Bronze Inwell, Charles X
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant silvered bronze inkwell in the shape of a shell raised by four feet also made like small shells. The two cruets for the ink and the pen cleaner are in cut crystal with a bro...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Charles X Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Antique Art Nouveau Scalloped Brass Desktop Executive Inkwell Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique ornate art nouveau style embossed scalloped floral / acanthus brass inkwell with insert. Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of Schottenstein Stores Corp. The Schottenstein family were Lithuanian immigrants who began an extensive business empire in the late 19th Century. Schottenstein Stores owns stakes in DSW and American Signature Furniture...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

English Silver-Gilt and Agate Inkstand, circa 1830
Located in Paris, FR
Inkwell in agate set in a vermeil mount. The agate cut is closed by a finely chiseled lid of foliage patterns and whose grip is adorned with a head of putti. The handle, which is dec...
Category

1830s English George IV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Agate, Silver

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 growling bulldog with realistic glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper buckle. The head is hing...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Art nouveau golden brass inkwell 1900 jugendstil desk accessorie
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Art Nouveau Large jugendstil golden brass inkwell Original 1900 desk accessorie Original good condition Height 13 cm Large 25 cm
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Inkwell / Desk Tidy 1871
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Victorian Solid Silver Inkstand with two glass lined Inkwells with hinged lids. The base of the inkstand has a classic Greek Key pattern around the sides and rows of chased patterning on the body connected with ornate stylised acanthus leaves. The Inkwell stands on four shaped feet. Made in Sheffield, England in 1871 by James Dixon & Sons. Approx. Weight (Silver Only) - 1130g / 36.33oz Approx. Length - 32.4cm Approx. Width - 19.4cm This Inkstand has full English Hallmarks. This Victorian Inkstand...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Maitland Smith Bronze Toad Frog Lily Pad Inkwell Pen Holder Sculpture Statue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Bronze Toad Frog Seated on Lily Pad Inkwell Pen Holder 18" Sculpture Statue. Item is approx. 20 lbs. Label no longer attached. Circa Late 20...
Category

Late 20th Century Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Persian Brass Inkwell Qalamdan with Arabic Calligraphy Writing
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A 19th century brass decorated Islamic Persian Qalamdan.The Qalamdan is in solid brass, decorated on all sides with Arabic calligraphy writing.It consists of an inkwell and a pen compartment of typical tubular form with an interior cavity to store a reed pen.Attached to the body is an inkwell with engraved Moorish designs with a shell style cover.An antique Turkish Brass...
Category

19th Century Moorish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Baccarat Crystal & Oak Double Inkwell Inkstand Desk Set
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine 19th-century French Baccarat crystal and oak double inkwell and pen tray desk set. Signed "Baccarat". The inkwells and nib holder are heavy with a swirled crystal design and h...
Category

19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, 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.

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