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Regency Inkwells

REGENCY STYLE

Like France’s Empire style, Regency-style furniture was rooted in neoclassicism; the characteristics of its bedroom furniture, armchairs, dining room tables and other items include clean lines, angular shapes and elegant details.

Dating roughly from the 1790s to 1830s, antique Regency-style furniture gets its name from Prince George of Wales — formally King George IV — who became Prince Regent in 1811 after his father, George III, was declared unfit to rule. England’s Regency style is one of the styles represented in Georgian furniture.

George IV’s arts patronage significantly influenced the development of the Regency style, such as the architectural projects under John Nash, which included the renovation of Buckingham House into the formidable Buckingham Palace with a grand neoclassical facade. Celebrated designers of the period include Thomas Sheraton, Henry Holland and Thomas Hope. Like Nash, Hope instilled his work with classical influences, such as saber-legged chairs based on the ancient Greek klismos. He is credited with introducing the term “interior decoration” to English with the 1807 publishing of Household Furniture and Interior Decoration.

Although more subdued than previous styles like Rococo and Baroque, Regency interiors incorporated copious use of chintz fabrics and wallpaper adorned in chinoiserie-style art. Its furniture featured fine materials and luxurious embellishments. Furniture maker George Bullock, for instance, regularly used detailed wood marquetry and metal ornaments on his pieces.

Archaeological discoveries in Egypt and Greece informed Regency-era details, such as carved scrollwork, sphinxes and palmettes, as well as the shape of furniture. A Roman marble cinerary chest, for example, would be reinterpreted into a wooden cabinet. The Napoleonic Wars also inspired furniture, with martial designs like tented beds and camp-style chairs becoming popular. While the reddish-brown mahogany was prominent in this range of pieces, imported woods like zebrawood and ebony were increasingly in demand.

Find a collection of antique Regency tables, seating, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Regency
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French ormolu Inkwells. Both items are late 19...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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 Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French English Rosewood Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing Slope Box Desk 19thC
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exquisite Example of an Early Rosewood Travelling Writing Slope of fairly large proportions of Continental origin, possibly French. Circa first half of the Nineteenth Century prob...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Regency Period Bronze and Ormolu Encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu encrier, having penholders and triple inkwells with leaf cast lids contained in leaf decorated classical bath, supported on wre...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Spanish Writing Slope Box in Walnut and Leather
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant hand crafted walnut writing slope with marquetry stripe details Leather writing surface on op Above the slope there is a compartment for storage writing implenments and two i...
Category

20th Century Spanish Regency Inkwells

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Leather

Antique English Regency Inkwell Mahogany Cristal Glas Brass Mounts
Located in Munich, DE
We see an important regency inkwell crafted out of mahogany with brass decorations in England, circa 1810. Measurements are taken without the crystal inkwells.
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Mahogany

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 Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French or...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Rare Early 19th Century George IV English Porcelain Inkwell by Coalport
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Rare early 19th century George IV English porcelain inkwell by Coalport in the naturalistic form. Referred to as ‘Coalbrookdale’ this piece has been modeled in the form of a lemon fr...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Porcelain

English 20th Century Sterling Silver and Tortoise Shell Inkwell
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning sterling silver inkwell with an inlaid tortoise shell lid. Circa 1912. Part of a collection from a private collector who traveled the world insearch of inkwells and unique ...
Category

20th Century English Regency Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Inkwell Regency Gilded Bronze Porcelain England \\\'800
Located in Milano, IT
Porcelain inkwell, with a shaped body entirely enamelled with chinoiserie-style motifs: there are large red flowers on a decorated blue background, on the sides two reserves in which...
Category

19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

19th Century English Silver and Tortoise Inkwell Signed Mappin and Webb
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century English Mappin and Webb silver and tortoise inkwell with original glass liner for the ink.  
Category

19th Century European Antique Regency Inkwells

Regency period bronze and ormolu gothic encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu encrier, having inkwells and star pierced sander, contained in Gothic fret body, supported on leaf decorated plinth base.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

English Regency Inkwell in Patinated Bronze and Ormolu with Dolphin Mount
Located in London, GB
English Regency patinated bronze and ormolu double inkwell. Set upon a rectangular base with mercury gilt ormolu moulding of "stiff leaf and dart" design. The inkwell holder itself, ...
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

English Regency Desk Set in Form of British Sailors Defending a Fort with Mortar
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare and very unusual bronze desk set in the form of British sailors ( or Jack Tars) defending or more likely attacking a fort with mortars. Set on bun feet with what ap...
Category

1810s English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

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French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
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Early 19th Century French Antique Regency Inkwells

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Antique Bronze Pen Tray & Double Inkwell Desk Set 19 Century, France
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19th Century Lectern Louis-Philippe Period
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1830s English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
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Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance Probably Sri Lankan 3 secret drawers* Replaced lea...
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Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Regency Inkwells

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Exquisite Victorian Walnut & Black Leather Campaign Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite Victorian Hand-Crafted Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior With Secret Compartment SLOPE 23 Brass front ...
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19th Century British Antique Regency Inkwells

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English Regency Inkwell in Patinated Bronze and Ormolu with Dolphin Mount
Located in London, GB
English Regency patinated bronze and ormolu double inkwell. Set upon a rectangular base with mercury gilt ormolu moulding of "stiff leaf and dart" design. The inkwell holder itself, ...
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1810s English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Rare English Regency Writing Desk With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful Handcrafted 19th Century Hardwood Veneer Writing Slope With A Tooled Purple Leather Writing Liner. Item Featured Brass Carry Handles & Is Finished With A Decorative Brass...
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19th Century British Antique Regency Inkwells

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Brass

19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
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19th Century French Antique Regency Inkwells

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Pair of French Ormolu Figural Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Exquisite pair of French Louis XV style gilt bronze five-light figural candelabra, 19th century. Five foliage-inspired candleholders are conjoined by intricate gilt bronze scrollin...
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Bronze

Elegant Victorian Flame Mahogany Writing Slope & Stationary Leather Interior Vid
Located in Reading, Berkshire
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Mid-19th Century British Antique Regency Inkwells

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Leather, Mahogany

Antique English Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Inlaid with floral sprays of engraved mother of pearl and brass From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this William IV Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box. The Sewing Box ...
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Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Silver

Antique English Rosewood Inlaid Sewing Box
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A Regency period large bronze and ormolu inkstand
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A large early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Pen tray having well scrolled handles, glass inkwells and central taperstick, supported on Lions paw feet.
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Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Antique Victorian Brass Bound Traveling Desk Mahogany Wooden Writing Slope Box
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine early English well figured solid plum-pudding grained mahogany ladies or gents travelling writing slope of outstanding quality and generous proportions. First q...
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19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Coalport Inkwell, White with Flowers Style of William Pollard, Regency, ca 1820
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful inkwell made by Coalport in about 1820, which was the Regency era. It is decorated with beautiful flowers in the manner of William Pollard...
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1820s English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Porcelain

Mid-A 19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Boat-Shaped Pentray
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century French bronze and ormolu ribbed and scrolled hull boat-shape pen-tray, raised on serpent feet and handles, fitted with glass inkwells and lidded wafer box with acorn handle.
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19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Regency Period Rectangular Bronze & Ormolu Pentray
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period rectangular bronze & ormolu pen tray, having splayed carrying handles with cut-glass inkwells centered with wafer-box surmounted by well-cast gre...
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Early 19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Bronze

Antique 19th Century English Regency Style Inkstand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful rosewood inkstand with 2 glass inkwells with a center square glass canister. The top with a place for pens on the front and back with a slim drawer for paper. Each side wit...
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1880s English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Glass, Rosewood

Antique French Ormolu Bronze Desk Ink Set Encrier Acanthus Grand Tour Regency
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French “Grand Tour” Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Desk Set, Encrier or Pentray, of outstanding quality and compact proportions, early Nineteenth Century, possibly Regency period...
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19th Century French Antique Regency Inkwells

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Ormolu, Bronze

Rare Pearlware Ink Stand with Pineapple-Shaped Candleholder, Sewells, Newcastle
Located in Downingtown, PA
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Ceramic, Pearlware, Pottery

French English Rosewood Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing Slope Box Desk, 19th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exquisite example of an early rosewood writing slope of small proportions of English origin, circa first half of the 19th century probably Fr...
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19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

Materials

Brass

French English Rosewood Brass Inlaid Boulle Writing Slope Box Desk 19th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exquisite example of an early rosewood writing slope of small proportions of Continental origin. Circa first half of the 19th century probably French or English Regency period. ...
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19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Brass

Pietra Dura Inkstand with Bronze, Malachite, Hardstones, English Regency Period
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large English Regency inkstand originally created for a partner's desk with a bronze handle of entwined serpents. The matching blown crystal inkpots have lids with embossed crowns. T...
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19th Century English Antique Regency Inkwells

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Stone, Marble, Bronze

Wonderful English Sterling Silver Crystal Partner Desk Inkwell Set
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful English sterling silver and crystal partner desk inkwell set, marked "M Sterling handmade" Approximate 36 Oz.
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20th Century English Regency Inkwells

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Sterling Silver

Regency inkwells for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Regency inkwells for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 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, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Regency inkwells made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original inkwells, popular names associated with this style include Coalbrookdale Foundry, Coalport Porcelain, and Parkins & Gotto. 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 $370 and tops out at $5,755 while the average work can sell for $1,739.

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