Metal Inkwells

An exceptionally fine early English Well Figured Solid grained Walnut Ladies or Gents Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and compact proportions. Last quarter of the Nin...

French Art Nouveau Inkwell by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat, France, circa 1890. A rare and exquisite Art Nouveau inkwell by renowned French ceramist Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910). This finely crafted piece showcases Dalpayrat’s signature red copper-glazed stoneware, especially rich and luminous near the base. Elegantly mounted in pewter, the design exemplifies the organic flow and refined detail of the Art Nouveau period. Dimensions: Height: 3.54 in. (9 cm) Diameter: 5.12 in. (13 cm) Materials: Stoneware with pewter mount Condition: Excellent+++++, museum-quality preservation Markings: Incised signature "Dalpayrat 1500" under the base (see photo) This inkwell is a collectible example of French ceramic art at the turn of the century—perfect for collectors of Art Nouveau, 19th-century French ceramics, or the works of Dalpayrat. Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910): A Pioneer of French Ceramic Innovation Adrien Dalpayrat was a French ceramicist and researcher who played a key role in the revival of stoneware at the end of the 19th century. Born in 1844 in Limoges, Dalpayrat studied drawing and porcelain painting in his hometown before beginning his professional career at the Jules Vieillard faience factory in Bordeaux. There, he met his wife, Marie Tallerie, with whom he had two sons—Albert and Adolphe—who would later become his primary collaborators. Throughout his early career, Dalpayrat worked for several major ceramic manufacturers, including Ashwin (Valentine), Fouquet (Toulouse), François Blanc (Monaco), and Léon Sazerat (Limoges). In 1889, seeking greater independence, he moved to the Paris region and established his own studio in Bourg-la-Reine. Collaborations and Artistic Evolution Dalpayrat’s creative vision expanded through his collaboration with sculptor Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix. Together, they explored neo-Gothic and Palissy-inspired motifs, creating a remarkable ceramic bestiary. Following Voisin-Delacroix’s death in 1893, Dalpayrat partnered with Adèle Lesbros, which marked a shift in his work toward simpler, more refined vase forms influenced by Japonism. Japanese art had been introduced to France during the 1867 Universal Exhibition, but it wasn’t until the 1878 Exhibition, particularly through the ceremonial stoneware used in the Japanese tea ceremony, that Japonism truly captivated French artists. This influence led Dalpayrat to create vessels with organic, vegetal, and animal-inspired forms. Technical Mastery: The Secrets of Copper Red Among all the ceramists of his time who sought to replicate the elusive Chinese “sang de boeuf” (oxblood) glaze, Adrien Dalpayrat was arguably the most successful. He didn’t simply reproduce the legendary copper red—he transformed it. By manipulating glaze thickness, firing temperature, atmosphere, and copper oxide content, he developed a unique palette of flamed and mottled red glazes that became his signature: the renowned Dalpayrat red. He further enriched his pieces by introducing streaks and inclusions of turquoise, blue, green, and yellow—freeing the red glaze from monochromy and turning it into an expressive, living surface. His work pushed stoneware beyond function into expressive art, merging form and glaze in bold, sculptural harmony. Beyond Ceramics: Bronze Mounts and Architectural Works Dalpayrat also collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Ernest Cardeilhac and Keller to produce pieces mounted in gilt bronze, blending ceramics with decorative arts at the highest level. In an effort to make his work more accessible, he opened a second faience workshop focused on simpler, more affordable pieces inspired by Nevers and Rouen ware. However, this venture faced financial difficulties and closed by 1900. The main family studio followed in 1906 as the popularity of Art Nouveau declined. Dalpayrat then returned to Limoges, devoting his final years to painting and drawing until his death in 1910. Legacy and Recognition Despite financial struggles during his lifetime, Dalpayrat’s ceramics were widely acclaimed at major international exhibitions: Bronze medal, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) Silver medal, Antwerp International Exhibition (1894) Gold medal, Exposition Universelle, Paris (1900) Today, his work is part of prestigious museum collections. In 2020, the Petit Palais in Paris acquired a large bird motif vase created in collaboration with Voisin-Delacroix, now on view in Room...

Faceted Amethyst Glass Inkwell with Brass Lid Origin: France Material: glass, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 6 × 12 c...

A mid 19th century Grand Tour, French, Inkwell in the form of Napoleon’s tomb. The patinated black iron tomb with removable lid revealing a sand sifter a...

This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...

Very charming Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century. Nice patina with some wear. See pictures. Wear consistent with age and use.

Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century. Made in France in cast iron and painted with a beautiful patina. Probably an advertising item...

A very stylish German Jugendstil pewter desk stand and inkwell by renowned makers WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) and dating from around 1906. The stand comprises of a centr...

A refined antique inkwell, with two inkwells made of bronze, including glass cups. The base is made of veneered marquetry wood with a diamond pattern, framed in a bronze rim, resting...

English Inkwell with Faceted Crystal Body Origin: United Kingdom, Birmingham Material: Cut crystal, sterling silver mount Date: 1905 Dimensions: H × Ø: 13 × 9 cm Description: This...

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...

Stunning French Lavish Gilt Porcelain Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions, made by renowned French porcelain maker Jacob Petit. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Centur...

Exceptional antique Inkwell with rich bronze ornaments and three porcelain vessels. The ink jars are painted in a beautiful rich green and embellished with gold colour. France, 1839. On the lid is written "ENCRIER BOUQUET" "MEDAILLE D´ARGENT...

19th Century English Silvered Metal 'Worried Knight' Inkwell Add a touch of classical whimsy to your home or office with our tole figural knight inkwell. Made in later 19th century ...

This figural traveling inkwell was made during the very early 1900s. It is made to look like a milk churn. We believe it is made of nickel plated brass; some of the plating has worn ...

Inkwell with Beetle Relief Origin: France Material: clear pressed glass, silver-plated metal lid Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × W × D: 11 × 8 × 8 cm Description: Square inkwell ...

A beautifully cast late Victorian inkwell dating to circa 1880 in the form of a handsome hunting dog. The hinged lid opens to reveal a removable ink chamber. Excellent conditio...

Cut Crystal Inkwell with Faceted Hinged Lid Origin: likely Central Europe Material: colorless lead crystal, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × W × D: 11 × 11 × 11 cm Descriptio...

An antique ink stand, made of polished brass, completely in Renaissance style, with richly pieced scroll motifs. The inkwell has two removable ink we...

A stunning silver plate ink well with two cut crystal ink wells - both capped with a silver top and greek key trim. A center storage piece is pr...

Large Victorian inkwell by William Comyns. This has a repousse sterling design over a heavy crystal inkwell. The hinged lid is monogrammed with a JP. The piece is dated 1895.

Beautiful antique inkwell made from gilded bronze. Nicely coloured ceramic parts. The plate is made of marble. Nice bronze work with a well preserved gilding. The original glass...

A fine German fountain pen. By Montblanc. In the Meisterstuck 149 pattern. The so-called 'gold-coated' model (ie gold plated) with a 14 karat yellow gold nib. Marked to the nib ...

Dimensions - H: 7 1/2in W: 10 1/2in D: 7 3/4in This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and bronze Ormolu Inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at t...

Inkwell with Enamel Decoration and Onyx Plate Origin: Probably France Material: Gilded metal, champlevé enamel, onyx Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 9 × 12 ×13 cm Des...

Small and elegant crystal inkwell with a brass collar with a square base and faceted lid makes a wonderful accent on your desk or table top. Ink-well, ink well, inkwell.

Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm

A very elegant desk set in art deco probably from 1930s or earlier. The desk set is made of patinated brass and consists of two parts. An ink stand with pen stand and a rocker blotter...

A French Champlevé enamel inkwell from the 19th century, created in the opulent Napoleon III style. Crafted from gilded bronze with finely detailed polychrome enamel in shades of t...

Antique 19th century library writing barometric / barometer pen holder and ink stand, Circa 1860s-1880s. Made of brass featuring pewter inkwell with glass dome reservoir and slots f...

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...

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 ...

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...

Lovely bronze inkwell from Tiffany Studios in the New York Bookmark pattern. Beautifully detailed octagonal design with round lid. Marked Tiffany Studios 1094. 3" x 3" x 2 1/2" tall.

A very nice quality French Japonisme Style inkwell Attributed to l'Escalier de Cristal, circa 1880 Resting on a diamond-shaped polychromed hand-painted porcelain tray representing l...

Stunning desk piece. This good size Art Nouveau ink-stand is signed by Andre Villien (see image 7). Villien was a French sculptor and decorator who work...

A brass Art Nouveau period ink blotter. Beautiful Art Nouveau details captured in blotters' handle. Use for its intended purpose or as a standalone piece decorative object on a desk,...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver fox inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular form. This inkstand is fitted with a gallery, embellished with impressive pierced and applied scrolling foliate ornamentation. The shaped, incurved rims of the body and anterior rim of the sterling silver inkstand are ornamented with a paralleling applied gadroon decorated border. The surface of the fox silver inkstand incorporates a concave oval pen receiver. The body of the inkstand incorporates two ink bottle receivers flanking a rectangular stamp box. The impressive hallmarked ink bottles each have a tapering cylindrical form and are embellished with further pierced scrolling foliate ornamentation; these ink bottles secure to the stand with a screw fitment to the underside. Each ink bottle is fitted with a plain domed hinged cover and opens to allow access to the original glass liner. The central sterling silver stamp box...

This is a small bronze champleve enamel set of an inkwell and letter opener. Both of them depicts colorful hand painted flowers, “C” scrolls and foliages. The resting plate of the in...

Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...

Antique Mappin & Webb Sterling Silver Double Inkwell—Georgian Style, London 1892 This rare antique Mappin & Webb sterling silver double inkwell, made in London in 1892, is a stunning Victorian-era desk accessory in the Georgian style. Made from solid sterling silver, the inkstand base features a gadrooned border and stands on ornate winged paw feet, showcasing exquisite 19th-century craftsmanship. The inkstand includes two finely cut glass inkwells with sterling silver lids and a central lidded compartment, originally designed for pen nibs, matches, or blotting sand. Today, it serves as the perfect storage for stamps, paperclips, or small desk accessories. The base is fitted with two integrated pen rests, offering both practicality and sophistication for any luxury office or study. This Victorian sterling silver inkwell is a collectible writing accessory, ideal for antique silver collectors...

A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Chinese" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5"W x 5"D x 3.13"H. ...

The inkwell, rectangular in shape, was completely handmade obtained from a silver plate and finely embossed and chiseled with scrolls and flowers, typical of the Italian Baroque of t...

A superb antique English Edwardian silverplate and oak inkwell inkstand with a pen rest, circa 1900. This fine inkstand has the original lovely cut cr...

A magnificent and grand late Victorian Austrian desk set, made from cast bronze, beautifully finished in gold. The cast Owl is a figural inkwell ...

Memorialized as an art and antique dealer and "collector of Chinese jades and porcelains" in a 1942 obituary in the New York Times, Edward Farmer, like his father, traveled to China ...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver gallery inkstand; an addition to our ornamental office silverware collection This exceptional antique George V sterling silver gallery inkstand has a rectangular form. This inkstand is fitted with a hallmarked gallery, embellished with impressive panels of pierced angular diaper pattern decoration. The body of the sterling silver inkstand is ornamented with a gadroon decorated border to the rim. The internal frame of the Stand is divided into different sized compartments by pierced decorated dividers reflecting the same design to that of the body. The original hallmarked base has a sliding action which allows it to be removed for cleaning purposes. This antique sterling silver inkstand is supported by four impressive claw and ball feet. The two smaller internal compartments retain the original square glass ink bottles with chamfered edges. The ink bottles retain the original plain hallmarked silver cylindrical mounts fitted with hinged hallmarked covers. The flared rim of each circular cover is encircled with a gadroon style decorated border. Condition This antique inkstand...

French cut-glass, Palisander and ormolu inkwell. Sneaks as handle and claw on ball feet. Original glass wells and two drawers.

Empire Inkwell on Circular Base Origin: France Material: Gilt bronze (Ormolu) Date: Circa 1800–1810 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 16 × 19 cm Description: Classical-style inkwell in t...

Beautiful Sheffield silver plated and cut glass double inkwell. The cut glass round inkwells with a Russian pattern with repousse hinged lids fit neatly onto the base which has a miniature candlestick...

A scarce nearly 300 year old Louis XV (1715-1774) period French gilt bronze ormolu mounted Japanned encrier (inkwell or inkstand) Paris, France, circa 1750, exceptionally executed in Louis 14th exotic far-east Japanesque / Chinoiserie oriental styling, popular at the time due to the rise in trade with China and Japan throughout the 18th century, Parisian Vernis Martin lacquer work, decorated with lavish Rocaille elements, having three inkwells fitted with glass jar inserts and ornate fiolated acorn finial covers, on a black lacquer cartouche shaped tray with roster...

Little is known about the origins of this amazing piece, apart from it being from France, circa 1900. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, ...

An English Victorian period porcelain and brass inkwell from the 19th century, with putto motif. Created in England during the Victorian era, this inkwell features a blue porcelain base adorned with satyrs and foliage motifs, topped with a handsome brass putto with a garland of roses wrapped around his shoulders. With its finely executed décor and lovely patina, this Victorian porcelain and brass 19th century...

19th Century gilt bronze and champlevé enameled inkstand with single well with hinge cover and pen rest. All raised up on bun feet. Dimensions H...

This exquisite antique inkwell is a stunning example of Art Nouveau design, shaped like a grotto shell and inscribed with "Souvenir du Croisir," capturing the romantic essence of a b...

A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880 for Presentation to the 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Governor of Madras and Convenor of the “Duke’s Ow...

Beautiful antique inkwell, made from glass with brass. France, circa 1880.

Inkwell with Cloisonné Enamel Origin: France Material: Bronze with polychrome cloisonné enamel Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 8 × 8 × 8 cm Description: This small in...

Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller Austrian, circa 1900. Behold the Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, a masterpiece attributed to the skilled hands of Ha...

À beautiful bronze patinated iron inkwell/paperweight in the shape of a nautilus shell.