Metal Inkwells

This spectacular piece has a shaped broad rectangular form and stands on four winged paw feet. The edge of the main body is decorated with gadrooning interspersed with raying shells,...

Handmade bronze inkwell consists of three removable cups, the largest of which has a removable top. Inkwell depicts leaves and flowers. Signed VieiAard.

Little is known about the origins of this amazing piece, apart from it being from France, circa 1900.

Little is known about the origins of this amazing lamp, apart from it being from France, circa 1900.

Antique English cut crystal and sterling silver inkwell signed by silversmith "Samuel Jacob" of London, circa 1895.

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

A most impressive fine quality antique Louis XV style French ormolu encrier / inkstand. Born in France in the 19th century, almost certainly Parisian work, exquisitely chased, chis...

Baroque style solid brass double inkwell set with letter holder, c. 1900-1910. A gorgeous desktop accessory ornately adorned with cherubs, flowers and scrolling acanthus leaves. In...

Retailed by Tiffany and Co. The three compartments decorated with gadrooning, shells and floral finials, with additional laurel leaf garlands flanking a central shell on the base, th...

A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 3.25"D x 2.75"H...

French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.

A very rare and important exhibition encrier by François Linke and Léon Messagé. French, circa 1900. Index number 709. Signed to the edge 'F. Linke'. This exceptional and ambitious encrier is modelled as two putti, each holding a standard and sitting on the water's edge, the two inkwells with hinged spirally-fluted covers with glass liners. This important inkwell is based on Léon Messagé's celebrated sculptural group 'La Source' and was originally intended by Linke to form part of his spectacular Stand at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Like seven or eight other pieces originally intended for inclusion on the Stand, it would seem the encrier was a casualty of both Linke's over-ambitious production schedule and the financial burden that the manufacture of such ornate and high quality work imposed. It was eventually shown on the Stand in September after the gilding was finished by Picard at a cost of 90 French francs. The costs of the model were very high: some 2024 francs (of which Message's combined fee was 1158 francs 40 centimes), underlining the originality and complexity. The 1900 Exposition example was sold, along with three important pieces of furniture from the Stand (the Grand bureau and associated armchair, and the Bahut Louis XV Mars et Vénus), to the South African banker and diamond merchant Solomon Joel. A further six encriers were produced up until 1925. Object Literature: Payne, Christopher. François Linke, 1855-1946, The Belle Époque of French Furniture, p. 90, pl. 97; p. 149, pl. 157; p. 150; pp. 182-183, pls 197 & 198 as exhibited at the Liege exhibition in 1905 & p. 480 for the original notes in Linke's Blue daybook of the late 1890s. François Linke (1855 - 1946) was the most important Parisian cabinet maker of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and possibly the most sought after cabinet maker of his period. He was born in 1855 in the small village of Pankraz, in what is now the Czech Republic. Records show that Linke served an apprenticeship with the master cabinetmaker Neumann, then in 1875 at the age of 20 he arrived in Paris where he lived until he died in 1946. It is known that the fledgling Linke workshops were active in Paris in the Faubourg St. Antoine as early as 1881, and during this time he supplied furniture for other more established makers such as Jansen and Krieger. The quality of Linke's craftsmanship was unsurpassed by any of his contemporaries and reached its peak with his spectacular Stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, where his Grand Bureau took the Gold Medal. He gambled his fortune and reputation on this Stand, exhibiting several breathtaking items of furniture with sculptural mounts of the most exceptional quality and proportion. His gamble worked and his reputation was established to such an extent that Linke continued to be the pre-eminent furniture house in Paris until the Second World War. As the Art Journal reported in 1900 on Linke's Stand: 'The work of M. Linke ... was an example of what can be done by seeking inspiration amongst the Classic examples of Louis XV and XVI without in any great sense copying these great works. M. Linke's work was original in the true sense of the word, and as such commended itself to the intelligent seeker after the really artistic things of the Exhibition. Wonderful talent was employed in producing the magnificent pieces of furniture displayed....' The formation of Linke's distinctive style was made possible by his collaboration with the sculptor Léon Messagé. Together Linke and Messagé designed furniture for Linke's 1900 exhibition Stand, with exuberant allegorical figures cast in high relief, that exemplified Linke's ability to seamlessly merge the different mediums of wood carving, bronze and marquetry into a dynamic unified whole. Today Linke is best known for the exceptionally high quality of his work, as well as his individualism and inventiveness. All of his work has the finest, most lavish mounts, very often applied to comparatively simple carcasses. The technical brilliance of his work and the artistic change that it represented were never to be repeated. Bibliography: Payne, Christopher. François Linke, (1855 - 1946), The Belle Époque of French Furniture, Antique Collectors' Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2003. Meyer, Jonathan. Great Exhibitions - London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, 1851-1900, Antique Collectors' Club, (Woodbridge, UK), 2006; pp. 298 - 300. LeDoux - Lebard, Denise. Les Ébénistes du XIXe siècle, Les Editions de l'Amateur, (Paris), 1984; pp. 439-43. Revue Artistique & Industrielle, (Paris), July-August 1900. Coral Thomsen, D. (ed), The Paris Exhibition 1900, The Art Journal, 1901; p.341. Léon Messagé (1842-1901) had a brilliant, but short lived career. He is best known for his incredible sculptural collaboration with François Linke for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A gifted sculptor, Messagé was also responsible for much of the design and creative work for Roux et Brunet and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. Messagé enjoyed great success as a designer/sculptor before his collaboration with Linke. Indeed he was mentioned as a Gold Medal winner at the 1889 International Exhibition and was especially praised for his work on a cabinet by Zwiener. He came into contact with Linke in 1885 and it appears from then on Linke employed him on a regular basis. Messagé was primarily influenced by Rococo ornament but he strove to re-interpret it. He did not produce slavish copies, and his original approach can be appreciated in Linke's celebrated Grande Bibliothèque and Grand Bureau exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A number of drawings by Messagé are recorded and after his success at the exhibition of 1889 he was encouraged to publish his designs. 'Cahier...

This high quality Papier-Mache desk set is beautifully hand painted in a floral motif and features inlaid mother of pearl and the original pair of cut glass inkwells with brass tops....

An object of art now, captures the period.

Antique 20th Century German silver plated inkwell depicting a group of children on a toboggan sliding down the mountain, under one of the mountain peaks is a glass lined inkwell. A f...

We would like to present you with this magnificent 19th-century Empire-style inkwell from the Napoleon III era adorned with a raised imperial eagle motif positioned between the two i...

Cast terrier with hinge lid opening to an inkwell. From the estate of the founder of Yankee Candle Co.

Late 19th century Jugendstil german cut glass crystal inkwell with polished 800 silver lid By: unknown Material: glass, cut glass, crystal, si...

A Napoleon III bronze inkwell Encrier. Three winged cupids holding up a bowl with masked faces with an eagle standing atop. Dimensions: H 16cm W 11cm D 8cm Origin: French Date: ...

Art Deco Desk Set is a captivating blend of timeless elegance and functional design. The centerpiece of this ensemble is the charming Penguin Statue, reminiscent of the iconic design...

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 ...

Napoleon III inkwell gilt bronz and champleve enamel Origin France perfect condition circa 1860. The Napoleon III style had its heyday during the 1850s and 1880s. Emperor Napoleon wa...

An Art Noveau or Jugend patinated bronze pen and inkwell with an owl sitting in the center. The owl have inset glass eyes. Made ca.1900. Possibly Swedish. Symbolism of the owl: The...

Another rare antique for the collectors and enthusiasts of Gothic art. This sizeable and very stylish inkstand was all-handcrafted in the late 19th century and it could hardly be in...

French Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Foliate Form Inkwell 20thC Measures- 2.75''H x 7.5''W x 5.75''D

A vintage Asian Japanese decorative desktop inkwell, unbranded. Solid brass in the shape of a pagoda, center inkwell with a hinged lid, flanked on each side by pen rest trays, and ra...

This antique Edwardian inkwell from 1890 is covered in ornate detailing and was made by Elkington. Elkington was established in 1830's - 1963 in Birmingham, England. This inkwell has...

An Encrier set with richly-veined Verde Antico marble base mounted with pair gilt-bronze inkwells flanked on either side of a Napolean bust. The marble base with pen tray rest on sh...

An antique Georg Jensen sterling silver inkwell and matching pen, design #254 by Georg Jensen in 1918. The rectangular base is meticulously hand-hammered, showcasing a finely crafted...

Antique Vienna Bronze Parrot Bird Sculpture Inkwell

19th Century Victorian Blackened Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug Dog with Bow Tie Inkwell England, circa 1880s Presenting a remarkable 19th-century Blackened Victorian Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug D...

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...

Antique inkwell from Italy, Masterfully carved from marble with lion and lioness , letter opener and a pen included A wonderfully accessory for any desk.

This French Lapis Lazuli and Silver Inkwell, crafted by Gustave Keller in the 1920s, stands as a truly exceptional piece of artistic and functional craftsmanship, radiating with a ti...

Ecritoire Art Déco en bronze et bois de corail. Les encriers, vide poche, presse papier, cachet à cire, coupe papier, base en bois de corail. Bronze à décor ciselé : femme danseuse ...

A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 4.25"D x 2...

Art Déco german silvered/plated metal pen tray and inkwell decorative desk stand by Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF) By: Württembergisc...

Antique English Heavy Brass Alligator Inkwell, Circa 1880's.

Empire style table clock and inkwell Origin France Circa 1900 The watch has a Paris machine and it works Golden bronze and Onix materials Very good general condition the marble ...

Inkwell Charles X French Gothic in Patinated Bronze, Early 19th Century Gothic inkwell in patinated bronze and fine chiseled bronze decorated with arcatures, rosettes, polylobed mo...

Grey & Co Silver  From our Accessories collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique English Silver & Tortoiseshell Inkwell. The Inkwell of globular shape with a quilt cut glass ...

Pre-War Metal Inkwell with Bird Figurine Metal inkwell with a bird figurine, dating back to the early 20th century. In good condition, one of the lids has ...

Rare and important French Napoleonic ink stand with female sculpture. This hand-crafted and sizable ink stand of marble and gilt bronze is signed by the renowned French sculptor Mar...

Fantastic hand-forged Arts & Crafts figural Inkwell in shape of an owl, believed to be made by Goberg ~ 1900. The owl is made of forged iron with a lovely patina and bears yellow gla...

Beautiful antique glass inkwell. Stong blue colour of the glass and nicely hand painted accents. Zinc lids.

A George V silver double inkstand presented to Major Seymour Egerton, Coldstream Guards, by Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught & Strathearn, of rectangular fo...

Ink Pad by Le Verrier in Bronze Gold and Green Color France Signed

French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell France, circa 1870s A magnificent French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell, dating back to the...

A bronze and marble inkwell. Add this to your desk for instant style.

The Inkwell of square shape made from glass with hand cut diamond quilt pattern to the exterior. The lid of the inkwell mounted with a Sterling Silver hinged lid is hallmarked to the...

A wonderful antique bronze inkwell with a bronze dore statue of a lady and three inch deep ink dispenser. All on a rouge marble base that has an are...

Art Déco english square shapped cut crystal inkwell with brass/bronze spherical top By: unknown Material: brass, bronze, cut glass, glass, metal, crystal, copper, zinc Technique: ca...

Beautiful Art Nouveau Inkwell from France, 1900- 1920s. This special inkwell is decorated all over with typical Art Nouveau ornaments. The attention to detail is reflected in the pen...

Antique French Old Paris Porcelain & Gold Bronze Inkwell, Circa 1840.

Exceptional beautiful inkwell by the french artist and sculptor Gaston Bigard. Signed at the lid "BIGARD". Ceramic with authentic craquele lacquer and a brass lid with beautiful Art ...

A Rare Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Inkwell. Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By The Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry, Paris. Designed in the exuberant Rococo style surmounted by a sea...

Rare pewter inkstand, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden -1925. Lid in the shape of a fish, relief decoration along the sides. The insert in glass is missing. Wear and patina consistent wit...

A bewitching blend of form and function, this late 19th-century English Victorian Brass Double Inkwell Desk Stand is a splendid testament to the Vic...