Stoneware Desk Accessories

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...

A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...

A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...

An English Wedgwood Jasperware black basalt and white stoneware rectangular jewelry dish with Neoclassical design, 1963, England. Piece is a matte bla...

A beautiful special edition English Wedgwood black basalt Jasperware small oval box with gold scallop seashell design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, England. Piece is matte black stoneware with gold scallop seashell design on top lid. The box was created in the mid-1980s as a special edition for members of the Wedgwood Collectors Society, marked on inside lid area in gold (as shown.) Markers mark 'Wedgwood', 'Made in England', on bottom as shown. Piece can neatly hold a cocktail ring or other small items, etc., or just be beautiful as a standalone piece decorative object. English wood box...

Superb bijou vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden from the Argenta collection. Decorated with a stylised fish of applied silver on mottled green stoneware. Circa 1930's Ba...

A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...

Unusual Argenta stoneware footed dish with applied silver swordfish central motif Tied silver banding to rim Designed by Wilhelm Kage for the Argenta series for Gustavsberg, Sweden...

Knud Kyhn designed this sung glazed stoneware Mammoth in the 1920's for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark. This item was purchased 45 years ago at Georg Jensen in New York and is in 'as new...

Geometry set of 3 pieces made of ceramic, with high quality stoneware in the Galician town of Buño, known throughout the world for its quality in the pottery technique. The shapes in...

Tasteful and modern in design, stoneware Argenta egg cup by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Decorated with applied silver 'Profil' stripes and banding A collectors piece Circa...

A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed fish sculpture. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...

Handmade Ceramic & Crackle Glass Paperweight, United States, c.1970

A large exotic beetle in applied silver adorns this most unusual piece of Argenta stoneware by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden Silver 'bamboo' decoration on rim and plain silv...

Aldo Londi for Bitossi Remini Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta turquoise blue ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Designed in a great glazed...

Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Handcrafted in Italy "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta turquoise blue ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy w...

A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed ashtray. Very large, has a diameter of 9 1/2 inches, Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...

One day in the middle of the 1950s, Lisa modeled a cat with the tail straight up in the air. The cat was made of dark brown stoneware with carved stripes. This modernist figurine was...

Pair Wedgwood blue and white Jasperware desk accessories. Beautiful blue grey bisque beaker/bud-vase with cream-ivory neoclassical bas relief, ...

Stoneware Argenta dish by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Decorated with applied silver scalloped rim and trefoil flower sprigs on green mottled stoneware Circa 1960's Stampe...

Adorned with stylised applied silver Lily of the Valley and Columbine flowers, this elegant footed vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden is a super piece from the Argenta coll...

Lars Pagfeldt, beautiful sculpture, stoneware paperweight "Frog" signed and numbered 70/100. Made in Sweden. In excellent condition.

Pair of small footed stoneware Argenta dishes by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Decorated with tiny flower sprigs and scalloped banding to rim in applied silver Circa 1959 Bot...

Delightful pair of scalloped edged stoneware pin trays by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Applied silver scalloped rim and trefoil flower sprigs decoration on signature Argent...

Beautifully glazed stoneware fish figure by Sven Wejsfelt for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Circa 1980's Rich dark brown glaze Original Gustavsberg Anchor label attached Height 3.5 inch, L...

Handmade stoneware table lectern manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, str...

Handmade stoneware table lectern manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, str...

Roger Capron tree of life stoneware paperweights France, circa 1950’s Beautifully preserved Handmade, intricately etched trees Organic matte finish Marked identification Can be used...

Hollow yet weighted, this contemplative ceramic sculpture is both an object to look at as well as to hold. The center opening creates negative space, suggesting the passing through o...

Handmade stoneware table lectern manufactured at the workshop of Apparatu in Barcelona. Different clay bodys are mixed with natural fibers like corn, str...

Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950 Round "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta cigar ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy with hand c...