Malachite Cabochon Inkwell

Malachite is one of Russia’s most prestigious stones, and its use in the creation of this rare and opulent inkwell indicates commission and ownership by an individual of considerable status. Wonderful doré bronze accents are the perfect complement to the vivid green stone. Two dipping wells and pen tray make this inkwell as functional as it is beautiful, circa 1890. Dimensions: 18 1/4” wide x 11” deep x 5 1/2” high. The 19th century proved to be the golden age of Russian malachite. The stone became a sign of prestige and a token of wealth so much so that Russian papers of the time wrote: “To afford having a big piece wrought in malachite is synonymous to owning diamonds.” Due to malachite's relatively close proximity, Russian tsars could easily obtain the malachite they needed to decorate their lavish palaces, such as the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, paneling walls and commissioning beautiful inlaid works of art. Year after year the Russian (Romanov) treasury paid increasingly unreasonable prices to hoard the best malachite, much of which went into Romanov palaces and extravagant objects d’art. The Hermitage Museum possesses a collection of over 200 examples of this “palatial” malachite...

Wonderfully charming and boasting a high level of detail, this bronze walrus also serves as an inkwell. The incredible artistry of Viennese bronze work i...

This extraordinary crystal inkwell from the renowned Baccarat is a piece of exquisite charm and grace. Featuring a doré bronze mermaid languishing upon the crest of a rolling wave, i...

This beautiful cameo glass inkwell displays the brilliance of the renowned Daum Nancy, a firm long celebrated for their masterful ability to recreate the beauty of nature in glass. A...

This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Grachev Brothers was made for Czar Nicholas of Russia. Featuring intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon an exquisite ...

Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...

Rare and unusual Art Nouveau brass crystal malachite decorated inkwell with circular base.

Gorgeous French malachite desk inkwell set Love the colour and grain to the malachite which really stands out The gilt fixtures are original and very well cast with great patina Comes with the two glass ink pots Circa 1880 We purchased this from a dealer on Marche Biron...

19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...

This is a wonderful antique Victorian ormolu and malachite mounted inkwell, circa 1870 in date. The ormolu inkwell has a decorative inset turquoise cabochon gemstone with a chain ...

Antique English ormolu & malachite inkwell, circa 1860-1880.

Rare and exceptional 19th century Russian gilt bronze and malachite inkwell. Gilt Sphinx with two ink deposits and double sided pen holders.