United Kingdom Inkwells

19th century Scottish double inkwell by Arthur Medlock with two hoof inkwells with metal covers centred by a facet citrine, on a wooden base, th...

Circa 1930s a charming chrome on marble depiction of a little girl seated reading a book next to an inkwell. She sits upon a variegated black marble plinth with chased recess for a f...

Unusual antique Victorian quality brass inkwell having a quality antique Victorian brass inkwell of a dog with original glass eyes on a circula...

A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...

French 2 pot inkwell stand with a Hunting Retriever Dog This is a very attractive desk top inkwell, the centre of the stand is set with a curly coated retrie...

Late 19thC spelter ink stand Centred with a Gun Dog with pheasant in its mouth, flanked by glass inkwells in a shaped base c1890 Measures: 10" W x 5" D x 5" H.

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...

A fine English Regency period patinated bronze inkwell in the shape of a long ship. The main body of the inkwell is in the form of a ship and in a form of shipbuilding known as clink...

Hallmarked in London in 1901 by Ernest Damant, this striking, Victorian, antique sterling silver ink stand, features shaped and pierced gallery borders, and two glass ink wells...

Rare Novelty Cricket Inkwell. A wonderful leather covered traveling inkwell in the shape of a cricket ball. This is a very desirable, rare and unusual ob...

A handsome Horseshoe shaped inkstand, the base made from solid English Oak mounted with a silver plated horseshoe and a square gallery to secure the glass inkwell. The glass inkwell is topped with a hinged brass lid in the form of a Jockey's cap with a silver plated peak, slight wear to edge. There is a support for a dip pen...

Rare Novelty Cricket Inkwell. A wonderful leather covered traveling inkwell in the shape of a cricket ball. This is a very desirable, rare and unusual obj...

An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform base ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique French Baroque Repoussé gilt brass Cherub ink well letter holder stand A very decorativ...

Antique Carving in the Form of a Dog Raised up on his hind legs, the head with original glass eyes tilts back to reveal the original glass inkwell ins...

A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver inkstand / desk standish has a rectangular shaped form. This antique inkstand is plain and embellished with chased and embossed egg decorated borders. The surface of this exceptional example of antique silverware incorporates two elongated oval recesses, composing pen wells. This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive cast paw style feet embellished with scroll and leaf decoration in junction with the plain collet rim. The body of the inkstand incorporates two cylindrical ink bottles flanking a central rectangular stamp box. The impressive ink bottles are each embellished with impressive applied rams head masks conjoined with swag decoration, in addition to leaf and egg decorated borders. Each ink bottle is surmounted with a push fit cover, allowing access to the original glass liner. The centre of each cover is fitted with a cast silver flame decorated finial; once removed this provides a pierced hole for access to the contents of the ink bottle. The central sterling silver stamp box...

WMF. Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand. Germany. The inkstand is of rectangular organic form with stylized clovers to the front border, plain deep welled front and smaller si...

A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver inkstand; an addition to our ornamental office silverware collect...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and glass desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent antique silver desk...

A very fine, rare and unusual antique English Derby partners porcelain inkwell and quill pen holder decorated in the Imari pattern and dating from the early ...

A very stylish English majolica pottery partners desk stand with inkwells with ram heads by renowned maker William Brownfield and dating from around 1870. The rectangular shaped desk...

A rare Victorian silver plated novelty inkwell fashioned in the form of a barrel on stand, in turn standing on a brick paving; beautiful detail such as...

A handsome and substantial novelty inkwell in the form of a running Ostrich standing on an oval shaped base with a naturalistic base incorporating two "rocks" acting as a pen rest. I...

19th Century Victorian silver large lidded inkstand, of rectangular casket form, with a hindged lid, engraved with Rococo scrolls and foleage, with vacant cartooches, resting on four...

Edwardian cut glass jockey cap inkwell by Hukin & Heath, mounted on a hallmarked English silver collar. Hinged collar with hallmark and engraved monogram cover Hallmarked Birmingham ...

A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.

Hallmarked in London in 1908 by Garrard & Co., this monumental Antique, Sterling Silver Ink Stand, is the epitome of Egyptian Revival taste, ...

Palais Royal mother of pearl and ormolu inkwell depicting Cupid. Set upon a fine ormolu base with four ormolu feet, with the very finely e...

An attractive and unusual patinated bronze inkwell of a child feeding his dog which is chained to its kennel. The top of the kennel lifts off to reveal the porcelain inkwell within. The child in 19th...

An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Victorian English sterling silver and red cranberry glass inkwell; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver inkwell has a circular shaped domed form. The body of this exceptional antique inkwell is embellished with impressive pierced and embossed scrolling leaf decoration, accented with pensile, baluster style bead motifs. The ornamentation to the body incorporates five oval cartouches; four are ornamented with an embossed male profile: two bearded males and two in a soldier's helmet. The cartouche to the anterior surface of the inkwell features the contemporary engraved crest of a stag encompassed with a garter and the motto 'God and my Honour'. The intricate sterling silver body of the inkwell incorporates five conical shaped pen receivers. The swept waisted upper portion of this antique inkwell is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, ornamented with engraved simplified leaf decoration. The cover is surmounted with an impressive embossed three-dimensional bust of a male figure in robes. This antique inkwell retains the original and substantial red cranberry glass ink bottle liner, with a cut glass star motif to the underside; the cranberry glass liner is highly desirable. This exceptional silver and glass inkwell is supported by five swept feet, ornamented with a continuation of scrolling leaf and circular motif decoration from the body. This exceptional example of Victorian silverware, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell II, is the finest example of its type Condition This antique ink bottle...

French inkwell in gilt bronze. Classical lady after the antique to the lid. She lying back against a rock with sandals and long robes and her arm over her head. To the inkwell front is an applied gilt bronze mount of palm fronds. The base has a fine decorative moulding...

During the Regency period it was very much the height of opulence to inlay delicately shaped pieces of brass design into wood. This pen and ink stand...

English Regency figural ecrier or inkstand. Set upon a rectangular base with milled edges all around. The ecrier with pin tray to front and back with inkwell to one side and sander to the other. Quill holder...

Antique English Regency figural inkwell with candle holder. In finely cast and original patinated bronze. Set on ball feet the rectangular base has a figure of Cupid holding up a w...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has a naturalistic-shaped form. The surface of the stand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral ornamentation, incorporating a scroll bordered cartouche bearing the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an elephant's head. The stand is further ornamented with scrolling designs encompassing an oval recess, composing a pen well. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand...

A beautiful quality lizard inkwell, the realistically modelled lizard as inset glass eyes.

Hallmarked in London in 1846 by Charles & George Fox, this charming, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver ink stand, features an ornate scroll ...

A Wonderfull quality bronze inkwell depicting a black African man, made by the goldscheider factory in Vienna around 1890, with inset glass eyes.

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form. This Victorian inkstand...

Well what can I say about this incredible Inkwell, I have seen many examples from this period that depict monkeys tormenting cats but I have never seen one that is quite this extreme...

A beautiful Antique Victorian solid Silver Inkstand with two fitted glass lined Inkwells and a removable taper candlestick. The body of the inkwell has an elegant pierced design on the sides mirrored on the bodies of the inkwells. The base of the Inkstand has an ornate engraved design and a sunken recess to hold pens. Each Inkwell has an engraved crest on the hinged lids and on the back of the inkstand. Made in London, England in 1851 by E & J Barnard and retailed by Widdowson & Veale (Strand, London). Approx. gross Weight incl glass - 1440 g Approx. Length - 34.5 cm Approx. Width - 22.2 cm   This Victorian Inkstand...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell; part of our antique silver and glassware collection This exceptio...

An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique George V cut-glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell made by Asprey & Co; part of our antique silver and glassware collection. This fine antique George V cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell has a plain cuboid form with rounded corners. The neck of the antique glass inkwell is encircled with an impressive silver mount and fitted with a compressed circular hinged hallmarked sterling silver cover. The cover opens to reveal the removable glass ink liner. The interior of the cover retains the original gilt interior. The impressive glass body of this inkwell is embellished with hobnail style deep cut glass ornamentation to the underside. This fine example of antique silverware has been crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Asprey & Co Ltd. Dimensions: Height to top of cover 10cm/3.9" Width 11.3cm/4.4" square Diameter of liner 2.5cm/1" Height of liner 2.8cm/1.1" Condition: This antique glass inkwell is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The inkwell has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition. The glass is in perfect condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the mount have wear but remain legible. The part hallmarks to the interior of the cover are all very clear. Maker: Asprey & Co Ltd Date: 1921 Origin: London, England Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this example of antique glassware...

Hallmarked in London in 1798 by Henry Greenway, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, is plain in style, and feature...

20th century Edwardian silver capstan shaped inkwell with an 8 day goliath clock. The hinged cover is set with a silver plated clock, with a white dial w...

A beautiful Antique Victorian Solid Silver Inkstand with two glass lined Inkwells with hinged lids. The base of the inkstand has a classic Greek Key pattern around the sides and rows of chased patterning on the body connected with ornate stylised acanthus leaves. The Inkwell stands on four shaped feet. Made in Sheffield, England in 1871 by James Dixon & Sons. Approx. Weight (Silver Only) - 1130g / 36.33oz Approx. Length - 32.4cm Approx. Width - 19.4cm This Inkstand has full English Hallmarks. This Victorian Inkstand...

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...

A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form. This Victorian inkstand is plain and embellished with an applied moulded border to the rim. The surface of this exceptional example of antique silverware incorporates two elongated oval recesses, composing pen wells. This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive cast bracket style feet embellished with scroll and leaf decoration. The body of the inkstand incorporates two circular ink bottle receivers protruding from either side and conjoined with a central rectangular stamp box via two impressive elevated scrolling leaf decorated brackets. The impressive large glass ink bottles each have a compressive spherical form, ornamented with cut glass decoration. The lower portion of each bottle is fitted with a hallmarked sterling silver mount/foot, accented with a screwfit attachment, allowing the piece to stand securely in situ; this fitment is a fine feature and indicates the high quality of the piece. The upper portion retains the original hallmarked mount and hinged cover encircled with chased volute scrolling leaf motifs. Each ink bottle is surmounted with an impressive cast finial modelled in the form of two opposing masks. The central sterling silver stamp box...

19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a growling bulldog with realistic glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper buckle. The head is hing...

A silver-plated and clear glass ink well and stand, shaped square plated Stand with gadroon borders raised on four claw and ball feet supporting square ...

This is a large antique ink well. An English, crystal glass, desk ink well dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1850. Larger than most at 13 cm, 5 i...

Very unusual antique continental gilt metal pedestal Rheinstone set globe shaped inkwell dating from the 19th century. The inkwell, possibly Russian or French stands raised on four b...

19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a bulldog with realistic glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper push-button and a silver presenta...

A handsome Victorian novelty inkwell, cast in bronze in the form of a King Charles Spaniel, beautifully executed with two lovely glass eyes. The underside is inscribed with a roma...

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...

An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual antique George V English sterling silver, nephrite and rose quartz inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique sterling silver gilt inkstand has a rectangular, cut cornered form. The cast silver gilt George V inkstand is embellished with four mythological creatures, each with a scaled body and the lower portion of a fish, in addition to an open jawed dragon style head and clawed legs. The ornamentation to the body includes two vacant circular cartouches in addition to two pellet designs, segmenting the creatures. The stand is further ornamented with an undulating leaf textured border to the rim, The surface of this exceptional example of antique silverware incorporates two applied C-shaped supports, composing a pen stand. This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive cast feet accented with large scrolling terminals and tri-lobed sockets. The stand incorporates a central circular receiver which accommodates the original nephrite ink pot. This exceptional carved nephrite inkpot is fitted with a hallmarked sterling silver gilt lining and incorporates two hand pieces modelled in the form of mythical creatures grasping the aforementioned liner rim. The inkpot retains the original hallmarked push fit cover surmounted with an exceptional rose quartz finial realistically modelled in the form of a squirrel. This exceptional and unusual ink pot is fitted with a removable glass liner. This antique inkstand...

Ram horn and silver plate dolphin inkwell, bearing a pair of ram’s horns, mounted with plated dolphin mounts, the tail suspending a bell, the beater fo...