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Inkwells For Sale
A 1930s High Quality Art Deco Wood and Chromed Metal French Desk Set
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Stylish desk set made in France, it's in wood and metal, composed by an inkstand and a mail holder. Inkwell dimensions cm 30 x 13, height cm 19.  
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Steel

Silver and Glass Double Inkwell & Tray by Parsons Brothers for Tessier London
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful double inkwell desk set by Parsons Brothers for Tessier of London. This silver and glass set features two square-cut glass inkwells, atop a beautiful ornate silver desk tray...
Category

20th Century English Elizabethan Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Inkstand in leather in the shape of a heart for love letters. Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Inkstand in leather in the shape of a heart for your love letters. Made in France during the late 19th Century. Richly decorated with gilded leather and brass. Wear consi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

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

Beautiful French Angel Face Cast-Iron Inkwell France Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s French metal inkwell. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of cast iron and glass. Marked with a number and letters. Found at an estat...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Inkwells

Materials

Wood

Antique Grand Tour Mahogany Brass Inlaid Desk Set Inkstand English Regency 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of an English Grand Tour Regency period brass inlaid Mahogany Inkstand of rectangular outline and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Cent...
Category

19th Century English Grand Tour Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios Chinese Pattern Bronze Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Chinese" pattern bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 6.5"W x 6.5"D x 4.75"H. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Silver Inkwell by James Young
Located in New Orleans, LA
This superlative, Georgian-period silver inkwell was crafted by 18th century London silversmith James Young. Of exceptional size and quality, this large inkwell is perfectly appointed to draft important correspondence, complete with a sand shaker and compartments for writing utensils. A masterpiece of the restrained Georgian style, the inkwell bears the marital coat-of-arms of the Gresley and Coventry families with the motto “Meliore fyde quam fortuna,” or “With better fidelity than fortune.” Hallmarked London, 1782 11 1/4” wide x 7 1/2” deep x 5 1/2” high The armorial bearings almost certainly commemorate the marriage of Sir Roger Gresley, the 8th Baronet of Drakelowe, and Lady Sophia Coventry, youngest daughter of the 7th Earl of Coventry...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Antique Art Nouveau Ink Well, French, Pewter, Decorative Pen Tray, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Art Nouveau ink well. A French, pewter decorative pen tray, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Wonderful example fro...
Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Pewter

French 19th Century Charles X St. Bronze, Ormolu and Sienna Marble Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Charles X st. patinated bronze, ormolu and Sienna marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a rectangular Sienna marble base. The pedestal displays an e...
Category

19th Century French Charles X Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Cut Glass and Brass Crown-Top Inkwell, Early 20th Century
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique Cut Glass and Brass Crown-Top Inkwell, Early 20th Century England, circa 1900–1920 A decorative and well-crafted antique inkwell featuring a heavy moulded glass body with b...
Category

Early 20th Century British Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique French Gilt Bronze Inkwell on Rouge Marble Stand, 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French gilt bronze inkwell on rouge marble stand. It is of superb quality and features a central figure of Diana The Huntress. Provenance: From the estate of Texas Oil...
Category

19th Century Regency Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Cloisonné-Emaille Inkwell, Bronze Doré, France, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique inkwell with Cloisonné-Enamel, France circa 1880. Stamped at the bottom "M B 5 9".
Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Enamel

A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category

1890s Swiss Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Wood

Albert Marionnet (1852-1910), A Belle Époque Naturalistic Inkwell, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Albert Marionnet (1852-1910), A Large Belle-Epoque Naturalistic Inkwell, circa 1900 In gilded and chiseled bronze with naturalistic decoration of grapevines, the green marble board ...
Category

1890s French Belle Époque Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

English Victorian Bronze Double Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian bronze inkwell with 2 crystal wells with finial tops and side handles on 4 scroll legs.  
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Walnut Inkwell German Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...
Category

1890s German Black Forest Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal

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

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

Silver Presentation Inkstand by Turner & Simpson Ltd.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This superlative silver inkwell was presented to Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland, the United Kingdom’s Minister of Labour, on the occasion of the opening of the Salford Bridge in Birmingha...
Category

20th Century English Other Inkwells

Materials

Silver

19th century brass decorated Middle Eastern Inkwell Qalamdan
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A 19th century brass decorated Middle Eastern Qalamdan. The Qalamdan is in solid brass, decorated on all sides with middle eastern calligraphy. Comprising an inkwell and a pen compar...
Category

19th Century Asian Moorish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Jean de la Fontinelle French Art Deco Pottery Figural Ink Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish French Art Deco pottery inkstand with a seated child in a pierrot clown dress by Jean de la Fontinelle (1900-1974) and dating from ar...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Pottery

Middle Eastern Brass Inkwell Qalamdan 19th C
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A 19th century Middle Eastern, Asian brass decorated Islamic Moorish Qalamdan. The Qalamdan is an inkwell in solid brass. 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 designs with a shell style cover. The piece measures 9 1/2" inches long x 2" inches high x 2" inches deep. Great brass decorative Islamic Metal...
Category

19th Century Asian Moorish Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

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

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

Late 19th Century English Traveling Inkwell in a Red Leather Mini Binocular Case
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century traveling inkwell in a red leather mini binocular case. It has a hinged top and a mini glass insert, its a unique traveling inkwell. T...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Strasbourg Faience Chinoiserie Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Strasbourg chinoiserie inkwell. Antique double-pot faience handled encrier with quill pot and removeable ink pot and cover and sand pot, both wi...
Category

Late 18th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Inkwells

Materials

Faience

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

Antique French Regency Grand Tour Bronze Crystal Desk Set Inkstand Encrier 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Heavy Gauge Chisel Cast French Grand Tour German Neo-Classical Bronze and Crystal Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...
Category

19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with Violet Enamel Decoration.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. Regent Street. London. An English Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with violet-colored enamel decoration to the top, and to each of the circles at the four corners. Stamped...
Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Inkwells

Materials

Enamel, Pewter

Small 1820s Travel Inkwell, France
Located in Greven, DE
Wonderful antique travel inkwell in a cover of red leather. France, early 19th Century.
Category

Early 19th Century French Early Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Era Cut Glass Inkwell with Sterling Silver Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Victorian era cut glass inkwell with sterling silver lid and insert by Mappin Brothers of Birmingham, England, circa late 19th century. The inkwell is in great condition with...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century French Gilt Spelter Inkwell with Rooster Sculpture Signed A. Bossu
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique inkwell in a man’s office or study. Created in France, circa 1880, and built of spelter, the desk accessory sits on five small d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Inkwells

Materials

Spelter

Antique Fayence Inkwell By Henri Delcourt, 1925s, France, Monogram HDV
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful heart shaped faience inkwell by the french artist Henri Delcourt. Monogrammed at the bottom " HDV". One tint cup and three holes for feather pens. Faiences are open-pored ...
Category

1920s Arts and Crafts Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Faience

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

Materials

Mahogany

Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze and Slag Glass Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" inkwell By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.13"W x 4.13"D x 3.75"H. Very good original vintage cond...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Giant Art Deco Desk Set Extinguishing Cradle made of Serpentine, Germany 1920s
Located in Hannover, DE
This mighty desk set stood on the desk of a company director in the 1920s in an imposing office. This masculine set still exudes prestige today and is an exclusive highlight on the e...
Category

1920s German Art Deco Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Serpentine

Art Deco Chrome & Glass Insert Ink Well By K & O Co.
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Art Deco chrome ink well with glass insert by K & O Co.( Kronheimt & Oldenbusch Co. (USA 1800's - 1939). Hallmarked on verso. Dimensions: 3" x 3" x 2 3/8" H Condition: Please see ...
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Chrome

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

Rare English Victorian Silver Plated Novelty Inkwell - Reg. 1856
Located in Bath, GB
A rare Victorian silver plated novelty inkwell fashioned in the form of a barrel on stand, in turn standing on a brick paving; beautiful detail such as...
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Inkwell, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Silverplated
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful silver inkwell with purple ornaments. Nice authentic condition. Art Nouveau.
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Inkwells

Materials

Metallic Thread

Set of Lacquered Vellum Drawing Forms/Desk Accessories, Italy, 20th Century
Located in New York City, NY
Set of Lacquered Vellum Drawing Forms/Desk Accessories, Italy, 20th C. Elegant vintage drawing forms/desk accessories. The vellum that covers them encompasses many shades of forest ...
Category

20th Century Italian Other Inkwells

Materials

Animal Skin, Wood

Japonais Revival Coppered Inkstand with Hand Carved Glass Ink Wells
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique coppered Japonais Revival inkstand with two ink pots and a stamp holder. The border of the base is in relief and abounds with flowers and birds while the pen rest has a quain...
Category

1890s English Japonisme Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass, Copper

Art Deco Bronze Marble Ink Tray
Located in Pasadena, CA
A striking blend of function and form, this Art Deco ink tray features a finely detailed bronze German Shepherd poised attentively atop a richly veined marble base. Beside the noble ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Inkwells

Materials

Marble

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

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period bronze inkwell featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.13"W x 4.13"D x 2"H. Good orig...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Inkwell, Bronze, Late 19th Century, Dog and Cat
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful inkwell made of bronze. Depicted is a doghouse with a dog barking at the cat on the roof. The roof of the doghouse opens to reveal the inkwell. Nicely chiseled bronze work.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Ransomers Patent De La Rue 02 Antique Traveling Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful antique traveling inkwell, made of wood and steel. Great condition. By De La Rue.
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Antique Inkwell, Gilded Bronze, Antique Desk Utensil, Vase-Shaped, Pen Tray
Located in Greven, DE
Antique inkwell made from bronze, gilded. Very good condition of the bronze work.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Inkwells

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Antique French Brass Inkwell, Shoe, Early 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful brass inkwell, which shows a antique shoe. France, around 1910.
Category

Early 20th Century French Inkwells

Materials

Brass

French 'Les Deux Rats Et L'Oeuf' Marble Mounted Bronze Inkwell
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique French novelty bronze inkwell modeled as 'Les deux rats et l'oeuf' mounted on a red veined marble base and dating from the latter 19th century. The inkwell is based on the...
Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pewter Inkstand by Nils Fougstedt for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1930
Located in Örebro, SE
Very rare and amazing pewter inkstand with glass tube by Nils Fougstedt, adorned with a flute playing, crosslegged Pan figurine -1930. Good vintage condit...
Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Inkwells

Materials

Pewter

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

Early 20th Century Czech Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Art Glass

Small Empire Inkwell in Gilded and Dark Patinated Bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A small and beautiful inkwell in gilded and dark patinated bronze with cups in porcelain. French Empire from the 1820s. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

1820s French Empire Antique Inkwells

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Brass Inkwell
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual antique Victorian quality brass inkwell having a quality antique Victorian brass inkwell of a dog with original glass eyes on a circula...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Style Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Art Deco style Glass Inkwell. It depicts a clear glass rhombus shaped inkwell bottle with a round green glass hinged lid hand painted with branches of flowers. The inkwell...
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Inkwells

Materials

Glass

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 been made in Austria in circa 1900 in the Anglo-Indian style. This ornately cast figural sitting...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Anglo-Indian Inkwells

Materials

Spelter

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

Art Nouveau Pocket Watch Desk Inkwell
Located in Northampton, GB
The Inkwell of square shape made from glass with hand cut diamond quilt pattern to the exterior. The lid of the inkwell mounted with a Sterling Silver hinged lid is hallmarked to the...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Inkwells

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Vintage Renaissance Victorian Style Brass Lion Head Double Pen Desk Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Renaissance Victorian Style Brass Lion Head Double Pen Desk Inkwell. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 3.75" H x 13.5" W x 10" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Inkwells

Materials

Brass, 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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