Antique Silver Pen
An antique silver pen sits among inkstands, inkwells and desk tidies crafted to organise the writing desk.
Antique Silver Pen
An antique silver pen belongs to a category of desk accessories spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including inkstands, inkwells, desk sets and pen trays. The listings show forms ranging from simple silver-mounted oak trays to elaborate double inkstands featuring chambersticks and glass inkwells.
Buyers encounter items originating from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods, alongside later twentieth-century examples. Many pieces combine sterling silver or silver plate with materials such as cut glass, oak, pewter and onyx.
Desk sets and ink stands often integrate pen rests and pen wipes alongside the main inkwell, serving as functional table furniture for correspondence. Novelty items like pen nib inkwells and silver-mounted animal figures also appear within this desk-related group.
What varies in quality
The standard of an antique silver pen or desk accessory depends on the weight of the metal and the crispness of any chased or repoussé decoration. Substantial gauge silver and well-defined floral or rococo detailing distinguish finer pieces from lighter, simpler items.
The selection of secondary materials heavily influences the grade of an object. Fine examples incorporate high-grade hardwoods, heavy cut glass liners or inlaid stones like lapis lazuli and onyx rather than basic timber or plain glass.
Completeness alters the character of desk sets. Pieces retaining matching original inkwells, fitted pen trays and legible hallmarks across all components demonstrate greater integrity than assembled sets or items missing original parts.
Antique Silver Pen Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver pen among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature desk accessories spanning the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and mid-twentieth-century periods in silver, pewter, glass and oak.
Elkington·William Hutton·Walker And Hall·Creswick·Walker Knowles·Robert Garrard·Rupert Favell·Marson And Jones·Peter And Anne Bateman·Daniel Holy
The Antique Silver Pen Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, typically copper, used widely for desk accessories and tableware.
- Old Sheffield plate
- A composite material formed by fusing a sheet of silver to a thicker copper base before rolling them together into sheets for manufacturing items like trays and inkstands.
- Inkstand
- A fitted tray or stand holding inkwells, pounce pots and pen rests for use on a writing desk.
- Repoussé
- A metalworking technique where the artisan hammers the metal from the reverse side to create a raised design on the front.
- Pen wipe
- A small desk accessory made of fabric or novelty materials designed for cleaning ink from nibs during use.
Antique Silver Pen: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique desk stand?
An antique desk stand is a portable tray or base designed to hold inkwells, sanders, and pen rests together in one organised unit.
These pieces sat on writing tables during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to keep writing implements contained and ready for use.
How do I identify a silver inkwell?
Silver inkwells feature a lidded metal collar enclosing a glass or ceramic insert that holds the liquid ink.
Examination of the metal surfaces usually reveals hallmarks indicating the assay office, metal standard, and date of manufacture.
Were pen wipes common on desks?
Pen wipes were standard desk accessories used to remove excess ink from steel nibs to prevent corrosion and paper splatters.
They often took decorative forms, including novelty animal figures or layered fabric pads.
What is Old Sheffield plate?
Old Sheffield plate is an early form of plated metal created by fusing a thin layer of silver onto a copper core.
Items made this way often reveal a faint line of copper along cut edges or worn high points.