What are most antique inkwells made from?

Metal leads the category. Brass and bronze together account for the largest share of titles, followed by glass wells and liners, then stone bases in marble, onyx and malachite. Carved wood forms a distinct group of its own in the Black Forest animals. Ceramic wells turn up only a handful of times.

Which period do they mostly date from?

The dated field runs from 1800 to 1940, and the centre of gravity is firmly late Victorian. The 1880s account for more listings than any other decade, with the 1900s and 1890s next. Roughly two in five listings give a period label rather than a year, so 19th Century, Victorian and Edwardian appear often in place of a date.

What is a Black Forest inkwell?

Carved wood animal work of Alpine type, applied to inkwells and stands. Bears, dogs, cats-in-boots, owls and hares recur across the listings. It makes up about one in eleven pieces on Sellingantiques, and many of the carvings carry inset glass eyes.

Are figural and animal inkwells common?

Yes. Novelty and figural pieces together make up roughly a fifth of the category, and they take up most of the upper range. Dogs and owls are the two animals that recur most. Lizards, hares, parrots, ostriches, a crocodile, a lobster and a dolphin each turn up only once or twice.

How do travelling inkwells differ?

They were made to be carried and closed, rather than to sit on a desk. Leather-covered cases are the usual form. They run as a small persistent thread through the listings, and the shapes get inventive: a miniature Gladstone bag, a terrestrial globe, a post office directory and boot forms all appear.

Do inkwells from outside England and France appear?

Rarely. The body of the category is English and French desk work of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Ottoman and Armenian scribe's pen boxes with attached wells, a Japanese Meiji silver elephant and a Russian gilt-bronze sleigh each appear once.

Home > Miscellaneous > Inkwells > Page 7

Antique Inkwells

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A pot of ink for a dip pen, sometimes standing alone, more often set on a tray with a pen rest, made for the writing desk between about 1800 and 1940.

Facet Cut Crystal Desktop Inkwell with Silver Lid, Hallmarked 1909

1900 - 1920

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Facet Cut Crystal Desktop Inkwell with Silver Lid, Hallmarked 1909

From Henley Street Antiques

£100

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell - Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880

19th century

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Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell - Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880

From Puckerings

£1,500

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

19th century

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Large Late Victorian Oak Ink Stand

From Worboys Antiques

£175

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Handsome Large Bullmastiff Triple Inkwell C.1900 - Dog

19th century

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Handsome Large Bullmastiff Triple Inkwell C.1900 - Dog

From Puckerings

£795

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Antique English Figural / Novelty Ostrich Inkwell C.1880

19th century

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Antique English Figural / Novelty Ostrich Inkwell C.1880

From Puckerings

£595

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

1900 - 1920

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A French Marble and Ormolu Ink Stand

From W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

£825

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Charming Antique Novelty Black Forest Inkwell - Dog C.1890

19th century

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Charming Antique Novelty Black Forest Inkwell - Dog C.1890

From Puckerings

£995

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Superb Quality Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Brass Desk Stand or Inkstand

19th century

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Superb Quality Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Brass Desk Stand or Inkstand

From LVS Decorative Arts

£2,250

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

French Bronze Double Inkwell by Jules Dalou

1900 - 1920

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French Bronze Double Inkwell by Jules Dalou

From Vivers Mill Antiques

£4,995

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Large Antique English Brass Owl Inkwell C.1890

19th century

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Large Antique English Brass Owl Inkwell C.1890

From Puckerings

£2,600

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Among the one-offs to pass through: a crocodile, a lobster, a budgerigar, a Russian gilt-bronze sleigh and a well disguised as a post office directory.

French Brass and Marble Desk Inkwell Stand

19th century

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French Brass and Marble Desk Inkwell Stand

From Elmgarden

£420

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

2 Art Nouveau / Deco Inkwells, Zimmermann, C1900-20

1900 - 1920

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2 Art Nouveau / Deco Inkwells, Zimmermann, C1900-20

From Curious Antiques

£375

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

19th century

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An Early 19th Century Fruitwood Pounce Pot

From Opus Antiques

£175

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Magnificent Antique English Novelty Equestrian Inkwell - Horse C.1880

19th century

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Magnificent Antique English Novelty Equestrian Inkwell - Horse C.1880

From Puckerings

£895

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Outstanding Antique Victorian Brass Desk Set

19th century

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Outstanding Antique Victorian Brass Desk Set

From London City Antiques

£485

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany and Glass Desk Set

19th century

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Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany and Glass Desk Set

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£375

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

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Antique Inkwells

Facet Cut Crystal Desktop Inkwell with Silver Lid, Hallmarked 1909

Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell - Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880

Large Late Victorian Oak Ink Stand

Handsome Large Bullmastiff Triple Inkwell C.1900 - Dog

Antique English Figural / Novelty Ostrich Inkwell C.1880

A French Marble and Ormolu Ink Stand

Charming Antique Novelty Black Forest Inkwell - Dog C.1890

Superb Quality Regency Rosewood and Inlaid Brass Desk Stand or Inkstand

French Bronze Double Inkwell by Jules Dalou

Large Antique English Brass Owl Inkwell C.1890

French Brass and Marble Desk Inkwell Stand

2 Art Nouveau / Deco Inkwells, Zimmermann, C1900-20

An Early 19th Century Fruitwood Pounce Pot

Magnificent Antique English Novelty Equestrian Inkwell - Horse C.1880

Outstanding Antique Victorian Brass Desk Set

Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany and Glass Desk Set

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