Late 19th Century Inkwells

French Art Nouveau bronze floral design inkwell with handles and iridescent glass well.

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...

Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...

Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century. Made in France in cast iron and painted with a beautiful patina. Probably an advertising item...

Louis XV style inkstand with chinoiserie design, lacquered top. This rare and stylish inkstand is a work of the house Boin-Taburet, goldsmith in Paris. This impressive size inkstand...

Large Victorian inkwell by William Comyns. This has a repousse sterling design over a heavy crystal inkwell. The hinged lid is monogrammed with a JP. The piece is dated 1895.

A late 19th century silver plate mounted horse hoof inkwell, the lid and horseshoe of silver plate, the hinged lid opening to the glass inkwell wit...

Dimensions - H: 7 1/2in W: 10 1/2in D: 7 3/4in This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Champlevé and bronze Ormolu Inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at t...

A rare Antique French Bronze Goose Ink Well. Very good condition, Circa 1880. Great detail and a functional piece of desk furniture.Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, makin...

Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...

Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm

Beautiful antique inkwell, made from glass with brass. France, circa 1880.

A handsome antique English inkwell cast in solid English brass in the form of a Tortoise retaining his original glass eyes. The lid lifts to ...

French Art Nouveau oval shaped bronze inkwell with pine cones and needles design (signed: ALBERT CHEURET)

Inkwell with Cloisonné Enamel Origin: France Material: Bronze with polychrome cloisonné enamel Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 8 × 8 × 8 cm Description: This small in...

Inkwell Grand Tour Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Marble Campaign Grand Tour neoclassical patinated bronze campaign inkwell. Finely cast and chased patinated bronze inkwell decorated...

Faceted Amethyst Glass Inkwell with Brass Lid Origin: France Material: glass, brass Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 6 × 12 c...

Inkwell with Enamel Decoration and Onyx Plate Origin: Probably France Material: Gilded metal, champlevé enamel, onyx Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 9 × 12 ×13 cm Des...

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...

Rare Chinese opium smoking tray in cloisonné bronze with black enamel. Divided into three compartments plus the wick deposit. 19th century.

This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...

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...

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...

Inkwell with Cloisonné Enamel and Onyx Base Origin: France, probably Paris Material: Gilt bronze, cloisonné enamel, onyx Date: Circa 1880 Description: Oval inkwell with a centrally...

Set of two very cute original 19th century carved wooden Victorian era wiener dogs or dachshund inkwells. The bigger one, which is a dachshund head, has a hinged lid that opens to r...

19th Century small French antique engraved brass Inkwell in Louis XV style signed in the bottom in very good authentic condition.

Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle. Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...

Inkwell with Butterfly Finial Origin: Probably France Material: Gilded metal with floral engraving and enamel decoration Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × D: 11 x 15 cm Descri...

This Late 19th Century Victorian inkwell set exemplifies intricate craftsmanship and luxurious design. It features a silver-plated tray with ornate detailing, including embossed flor...

Chinese Porcelain Desk Vessel with Gilt Bronze Mount Origin: China, made for the European export market Material: Porcelain, overglaze decoration, glass liner, gilt bronze Date: Lat...

English Officers Equestrian silver plate, enamel and hoof inkwell, an exquisite example with a portrait of the beloved horse, expertly mounted, possibly b...

A wonderful and very large example of a figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with a beautiful bright patina. He retains his original large glass eyes, without d...

Maritime Inkwell with Anchor Mount France, circa 1880 H × W × D: 12 × 10 × 8 cm Description: A rare maritime-themed inkwell featuring a prominent sculptural anchor motif. The dark...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Modelled as a Peregrine Falcon Bird of Prey From our Decorative collection, we are pleased to offer this French Peregrine Falcon Bird of Prey Inkwell. The...

Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a cat in a boot. The cat is very detailed with glass eyes, a perfect charm lo...

Beautiful Inkstand in leather in the shape of a heart for your love letters. Made in France during the late 19th Century. Richly decorated with gilded leather and brass. Wear consi...

A stunning French gilt bronze table inkwell tray or desk tray, adorned with exquisite Sèvres soft paste porcelain inset plaques. These hand-painted plaques showcase exceptional craft...

Late 19th century Napoleon III 'Vieille Garde' sculpture with inkwells and marble base inkstand by Armand Le Véel and Susse Frères, France By: Armand Le Véel, Susse Frères Material:...

Beautiful antique inkstand with two crystal inkwells. The base and the lids are made of gutta-percha, a molded resin, France, circa 1880. The lids fe...

Beautiful antique inkwell made from gilded bronze. circa 1880. The plate is made of marble. Nice bronze work with a well preserved gilding. The original glass insert is existing....

An antique French novelty bronze inkwell modeled as 'Les deux rats et l'oeuf' mounted on a red veined marble base and dating from the latter 19th century. The inkwell is based on the...

Inkwell made from crystal glass. The lid is silver-plated.

This is an antique Art Nouveau ink well. A French, pewter decorative pen tray, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Wonderful example fro...

Antique inkwell made from bronze, gilded. Very good condition of the bronze work.

A stylish and rare Royal Worcester Art Nouveau porcelain desk stand decorated in blush colors and moulded in low relief with trailing floral designs dated 1894. The stand is of recta...

A wonderful and impressive figural inkwell made from solid cast English brass, beautifully executed with a fabulous patina. Standing on little cast feet, the large leaf is of cour...

19th century English brass resting dog double inkwell, the wells opening to the left and the right.

Great Baccarat inkwell with extensive crystal cut. Places for pens are at each side. France, late 19th century. .

Gorham sterling silver tabletop double inkwell from 1886 with intricately pierced figural gallery. It contains two glass inkwells with sterling silver caps and has an open compartment with hinged door. A great gift and addition to one's home or collection. It measures 7 3/4'' in length by 2 7/8'' in height by 4 3/4'' in depth, and bears hallmarks and monograms as shown. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing–approximately 1850 to 1940–Gorham was one of the most influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services...

Very cute set of two 19th century Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Forêt Noir carved walnut dog and cat heads with glass eyes and ink well with log pen rest. Intricate carved detail to hair, teeth, eyes and paws. The cat has green glass eyes, has painted stripes and the log is painted darker. The inkwell insert...

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 for which is on mounts to the fro...

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.

Circa 1880 brass & wood ink stand, English. Gothic Revival brass strapwork. Ebonized trim accents. Burl walnut. 10 1/2" W., 7 7/16" D., 3 5/16" H. Whitehall Antiques is a family bus...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell, part of our antique silver and gl...

This vintage 19th century inkwell is beautifully designed with a detailed sculpted doré' bronze reminiscent the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The figure is costumed in a draped g...

Inkwell with Integrated Pump Mechanism Origin: France Material: Brass, porcelain, nickel-plated metal Date: Circa 1900 Dimensions: H × Ø: 8 × 14 cm Description: This French inkwel...

Late 19th century French treen inkwell with pen holder. Elegantly decorated with subtly colored chinoiserie scenes of gardens & bamboo follies. Bra...

A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt-bronze, mahogany and porcelain Encrier (Inkwell). The oval mahogany base surmounted with an ormolu mounted trim, dual-trays and fi...

Figural lion inkwell boasting original paint with hinged lion's head concealing the well, circa late 1800s Patina / paint loss consistent with age / use.

English Victorian silver plated inkwell with 2 cranberry glass wells and back handle.