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Neoclassical Inkwells

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.

Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.

The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.

Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.

Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.

Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.

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Style: Neoclassical
Inkwell Grand Tour Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Marble Campaign
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Inkwell Grand Tour Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Marble Campaign Grand Tour neoclassical patinated bronze campaign inkwell. Finely cast and chased patinated bronze inkwell decorated...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th-C. French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Ram Form Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-19th century French gilt bronze neo-classical style ram form inkwell. It has dual rams to possibly hold the writing instrument.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

French Neoclassic Walnut Veneer Brass Inkwell, 2nd quarter 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
the inkwell covered in walnut veneer and trimmed in brass, featuring lion masks at the sides and paw feet, brass covers atop the inkwells and a brass pen tray, with a sneaky side dr...
Category

1830s French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Maison Boin-Taburet French Ormolu Bronze Inkstand
Located in Astoria, NY
Maison Boin-Taburet French Ormolu Bronze Inkstand, late 19th century, with cherub writing on a tablet surrounded by books flanked by two covered inkwells with clear glass inserts, ma...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French gilt bronze inkwell. Perfect coffee table art or desk statement piece. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical-Style Continental Silver .800 Footed Double Inkstand by Dragstead
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical - style, Continental Silver (.800), footed, double inkstand, Denmark, year-hallmarked for 1901, A. N. Dragsted - maker. Each of the wells is decorated with bows and garl...
Category

Early 1900s Danish Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Neoclassical Style Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Neoclassical Style Glass Inkwell. It depicts a heavy octagonal shaped glass inkwell bottle. The round hinged bronze lid is adorned at the top with a Roman soldier profile. ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Glass

Inkwell-Pairpoint Glass with Controlled Bubble Pattern and Sterling Cover
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pairpoint Glass Company ball shaped inkwell with the controlled bubble pattern that became synonymous with the company. The glass was blown around a molded form to create a receptacl...
Category

19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

English Silver Inkwell, Stamped Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company
Located in Spencertown, NY
The rectangular inkwell with flat hinged lid, opening to reveal ceramic well and cut-glass liner beneath. Hallmarks on inside cover, rear and underside.
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Inkwells

Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories
Located in London, GB
In a time of computers and technology, this antique desk set harks back to a more romantic period when people read letters at their desks by candlelig...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Italian Empire Silver Inkstand
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Silver Inkstand. Roman sterling silver inkstand of sober neoclassical form comprising double pots for sander and inkwell with acorn fini...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

Italian Gray Marble Inkwell, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
A gray marble circular inkwell with marble stopper.
Category

20th Century Italian Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Marble

Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER (German/Austrian) Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller ruge marble.
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand, London 1798 Henry Greenway
By Henry Greenway
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1798 by Henry Greenway, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, is plain in style, and feature...
Category

1790s English Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Sterling Silver

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20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, hHandicraft made in Italy
Located in VALENZA, IT
The inkwell, rectangular in shape, was completely handmade obtained from a silver plate and finely embossed and chiseled with scrolls and flowers, typical of the Italian Baroque of t...
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Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
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Malachite, Bronze

Impressive Black Marble Inkwell with Bronze Ducks
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Incredible black marble inkwell that is truly an objet d'arte, having two lyrical bronze ducks with bone beaks, as though perched at the side of a pond and two square ink wells lined in brass. Looks like it could be by the artist, Andre Villien...
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Impressive Black Marble Inkwell with Bronze Ducks
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20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, baroque revival
Located in VALENZA, IT
Faithful copy of the writing service by the silversmith Pietro Rubini, Milan c.1775 The inkstand is composed of a shaped tray supported by 4 rocailles feet, modeled along the entire profile by finely embossed and chiselled volutes, leaves and shells. Above the tray are two ink holders and two pen holders with spiral workmanship and highly embossed vegetable decorations. A bell in the center of the object rests on a FASTIGIO pierced with flowering vines. By Fiorentini, Argenterie di Milano - Italy for ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA Italian silverware...
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19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
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1890s French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

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Brass

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
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Gilt Bronze and Champleve Enamelled Inkstand
Located in Cheshire, GB
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...
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19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
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Crystal

19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
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$575
H 4.5 in W 4 in D 4 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
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19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

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19th Century  French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
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Located in Savannah, GA
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19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
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19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
$6,500
H 6.75 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
A Grand Tour Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
Located in Spencertown, NY
The white ground inlaid with specimen marbles and porphyry with ridges on 2 sides
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Materials

Marble

A Grand Tour Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
A Grand Tour Italian Specimen Marble Paperweight
$1,800
H 1.25 in W 4.75 in D 3 in
Previously Available Items
Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Grachev Brothers was made for Czar Nicholas of Russia. Featuring intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon an exquisite ...
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Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

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Silver

Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
H 5.5 in W 4 in D 4.13 in
Fabergé Silver and Cut Glass Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Fabergé exudes a bygone luxury. Comprised of intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon a silver base cast with dramatic masks among foliate festoons and ribbons. Its refined, neoclassical design is completed by a silver lid with a finial in the form of a laurel wreath. Fine silver from the House of Fabergé is indeed difficult to acquire, since most of the firm’s works, including the court and presentation pieces created for the Czar, were melted down to mint silver ingots...
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20th Century Russian Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Fabergé Silver and Cut Glass Inkwell
Fabergé Silver and Cut Glass Inkwell
H 7.38 in W 7.5 in D 8.25 in
Emile Picault s Model French Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Emile Picault's model French scribe mercury figure Origin France Ciraca 1900 Material zamac, alpe green marble and metal electroplated.
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Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Metal

Emile Picault
s Model French Inkwell
Emile Picault
s Model French Inkwell
H 15.75 in W 20.48 in D 9.06 in
Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Double Inkwell Ink Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Regal gilt bronze double inkwell with marble base. The center bust of Homere flanked by two gilt inkwells. Homere was the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are...
Category

1880s French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century French Neoclassical Manner Bronze Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Bronze inkwell, circa 1790. Rectangular form with gilt bronze footed base with patinated dark bronze handles and mounts. Item has singular pot in the center of the tray. The floral d...
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1760s French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century French Cut Crystal and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in Winnetka, IL
French late 19th century cut crystal and ormolu inkwell.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

Neoclassical Red Marble and Gilt Bronze Ink Stand by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical griotte marble and gilt bronze ink stand by Barbedienne French, 19th century Size: Height 25cm, width 36cm, 21cm This magnificent ink...
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19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

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Griotte Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

George III Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand from London in 1802
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1802 by Peter, Anne & William Bateman, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, has been embellished with reed, gadroon and acanthus det...
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Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

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Sterling Silver

Large Neoclassical Style Bronze and Sienna Marble Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Neoclassical styled inkwell on a single slab of Sienna marble. Winged lions supporting a central urn form bronze ink reservoir flanked by two classical urns (blotter sand). Very ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large French Neoclassical Marble and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Rochester, NY
Fine French 19th century gilt bronze inkwell mounted on rouge marble. Sculpture of Roman woman with shield and helmet.
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19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze

Antique Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th century neoclassical bronze desk set featuring two inkwells that are flanked by two elongated trays with a centre oval pedestal dish. The inkwells are black patinated sporting...
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Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Neoclassical Inkwell and Blotter Set
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast from solid bronze, this elegant 19th century bronze neoclassical Inkwell includes a blotter and fitted porcelain ink inserts. Exquisite detail abounds in the casting consisting ...
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1870s French Antique Neoclassical Inkwells

Neoclassical inkwells for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical inkwells for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage inkwells created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical inkwells made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original inkwells, popular names associated with this style include A. Dragsted, George Josef Burgstaller, Henry Greenway, and Meissen Porcelain. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for inkwells differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $568 and tops out at $10,530 while the average work can sell for $1,495.

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