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Louis XVI Inkwells

LOUIS XVI STYLE

Reflecting the final era of royal opulence before the upheaval of the French Revolution, antique Louis XVI furniture features more angular shapes than the Rococo curves of the Louis XV style, harkening back to the imposing grandeur of Louis XIV.

Dating between 1750 and 1800, an era that overlapped with the last king of France whose reign was cut short by the guillotine, Louis XVI furniture, known as the goût grec, is emblematic of the neoclassical revision that French furniture underwent during the second half of the 18th century.

Authentic Louis XVI furniture characteristics include clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. This was informed by a burgeoning interest in antiquity in the 18th century, owing to new archaeological excavations at sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It largely eclipsed the more East Asian–influenced ornamentation of Louis XV for something more geometric and symmetrical.

The Louis XVI style was defined by what was being created for the palatial rooms at Versailles and Fontainebleau, particularly for the queen, with cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener being a favorite of Marie-Antoinette’s for his luxurious pieces accented with gilded bronze and marquetry. Furniture maker Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené was also a major designer of the period, with his pieces for the royal residences adorned with giltwood and neoclassical touches like tapered columns for chair legs and laurel leaf carvings. Cabinetmaker Adam Weisweiler occasionally incorporated into his furniture porcelain panels produced by Sèvres, a popular manufacturer of European ceramics that served the crown with serveware, vases and other decorative objects.

Find a collection of antique Louis XVI seating, tables, cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XVI
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and Ormolu Inkwell Circa 1890
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

18th Century French Tole Painted Ink Stand
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18th Century French Tole Painted Ink Stand. Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

18th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Silver and Malachite Desk Inkwell by Guillemin Frères, Louis XVI Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver and malachite desk inkwell by Guillemin Frères, 19th century, Louis XVI style. Silver and malachite desk inkwell by Guillemin Frères, Louis XV...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Malachite, Silver

19th Century Small Inkwell in Porcelain and Silver-Gilt in Sevres Style
Located in Paris, FR
Small inkwell crafted in porcelain, the paunch and lid decorated with a frieze of polychromatic floral motives highlighted with gold. The lid topped by a pine cone finial features a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Royal Blue Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Inkwell and Pen Tray in the Louis XVI Taste
Located in London, GB
An Ensemble de Bureau in the Louis XVI Taste Constructed using gilt bronze, and 'Sevres' style porcelain having 'Bleu de Roi' borders, and hand p...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI Style Green Marble and Ormolu Mounted Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and charming French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble inkwell. The inkwell is raised by Fine topie shaped feet below the elegantly shaped wrap ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Marble and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Louis XVI st. Alabastro marble and ormolu inkwell. The inkwell is raised by elegant topie shaped ormolu feet below the beautiful Alabastro marble suppo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and most elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, stamped, P.C.G. The inkwell is raised by Fine fluted bun shaped feet below the beau...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Figural Bronze and Gilt Inkstand
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This beautifully detailed French bronze and gilt inkwell shows a Revolutionary figure sounding an alarm of impending uprise while standing on a cobblestone street with a gilt metal document box...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Metal

An Ormolu and Marble Inkwell, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An ormolu and marble inkwell, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Louis XVI style inkwell, 19th century, Napoleon III period in marble and ormolu depicting a putto. H: 26cm, W: 34c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Onyx and Bronze Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Manhasset, NY
Onyx and bronze inkwell desk set depicting Louis Pasteur. A nicely cast bronze with double ink holders on an onyx pen and pencil base.
Category

1920s Vintage Louis XVI Inkwells

French Louis XVI Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Pembroke, MA
Rouge marble and gilt bronze inkwell with seated angel, in the neoclassical style, signed "Francois Flamand".
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu and Crystal Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and crystal inkwell. The inkwell is raised by a fine circular ormolu base with a lovely reeded and richly chased palmette design. Above the fine mottled base is the beautiful crystal bowl with a lovely spiral fluted design. The top rim displays a superb and richly chased wrap around band with charming flowers. Above are the three removable lidded vessels, two for ink, one for pounce, each set within a pierced tray...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

French Mid 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely high quality French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and Sèvres porcelain inkwell. The inkwell is raised by c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

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1880s French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

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Small Louis XVI-Style Inkwell "Cupid Playing Timbales"
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1890s French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

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Early 20th Century Decorative French Gilt Desktop Inkwell
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Antique French Gilt Bronze and Walnut Inkwell
Located in London, GB
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1860s French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

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19th Century French Bronze and Marble Ink Well
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

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19th Century French Sevres style ink well.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century French Gilded ormolu ink well, having a classical urn to the centre with rams head mounts, a pair of Sevres style porc...
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19th Century French Sevres style ink well.
19th Century French Sevres style ink well.
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19th Century Small Inkwell in Porcelain and Silver-Gilt in Sevres Style
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Small inkwell crafted in porcelain, the paunch and lid decorated with a frieze of polychromatic floral motives highlighted with gold. The lid topped by a pine cone finial features a ...
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Austrian Viennese Enamel Inkwell Recamier with Classical/ Landscape Scenes
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 19th century Louis XVI style Austrian Viennese enamel inkwell vesta daybed/Recamier with classical and landscape scenes. Each panel depicts a different classical scene, w...
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1880s Austrian Antique Louis XVI Inkwells

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Louis Xvi inkwells for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XVI inkwells for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage inkwells created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ormolu and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XVI inkwells made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original inkwells, popular names associated with this style include and Old Paris. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for inkwells differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $971 and tops out at $12,000 while the average work can sell for $3,200.

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