Late 19th Century Desk Accessories

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...

Circa 1870s English Gothic Revival writing slope desk box. A letter box is flanked by the original brass collared & hinged inkwells in brass surrounds (the hinges now a bit loose fro...

Beautiful Late 19th Century Campaign Brass Bound Coromandel Writing Slope With Black Tooled Stylish Inlay Throughout. With A Secret Compartment The slope features a well executed fi...

Very Rare and Elegant Antique Baccarat Glass Paperweight with complex Millefiori, made in France probably during the 1870s. (Not signed) Beauti...

Very Unusual Fine Quality English Ladies or Gentleman’s Walking Stick or Dress Cane of outstanding quality and stylish design, last quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Sterling Silv...

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...

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...

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...

Stunning French Sevres Soft Paste miniature hand decorated Rich Celeste Blue Porcelain Urn of exceptional quality. French ormolu circular hinge lidded trinket box with beautiful ce...

19th Century Set of Brass Scale Weights, France A charming late 19th Century set of weights in brass, housed in their wooden stand. Weights such as these were used with different sc...

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.

Beautiful 19th Century Rosewood Writing Slope Decorated With Stylish Inlay Throughout. The slope features a well executed fitted interior. Interior when folded out, is finished wit...

Black painted cast iron dog nut cracker. The condition is very good and in working order.

Beautiful metal tray or catchall to hold quills. Made of cast Iron, has some nice patina, but this is old-age. A beautiful piece for your desk or any room. It was made for the 100th ...

This is a stunning decorative antique Italian Grand Tour Vatican Micro-Mosaic inset black marble desk weight, in the form of a miniature table, circa 1870 ...

Art Nouveau style brass butterfly letter holder.

French Champlevé Enamel & Ormolu Letter Rack, Late 19th Century A richly ornamented French champlevé enamel and gilt bronze letter rack, dating to the late 19th century. This jewel-...

Antique Victorian measuring sewing tape in a bell shape. Collectible

Very charming French hand wax seal from the late 19th Century. We see this piece added to a collection of these hard to find treasures.

Elegant French bronze letter rack, late 19th century. The openwork design features intricate Gothic Revival motifs with stylized foliage, quatrefoils, and decorative details, complem...

The paper knife or letter opener was originally used for cutting open the pages of hand-produced books where the folding of the printed sheets creates some closed edges that require ...

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...

Silver inkwell with base obtained from a deer hoof. English manufacture of the late 19th century. Good condition, the ink bottle is missing. Measures: cm 6.5 x 10 H 8. Shipping is insured by Lloyd...

Stylish Solid Polished Ebony and Sterling Silver Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Stick with Traditional Crook shaped handle of German origin, complete with its original bi-metal polish...

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...

Aesthetic Movement. An oak pipe rack with a Japanese-style brass fretwork backplate, and a tobacco draw with brass handle.

A beautiful antique desk box. Made of wood, covered with leather with beautiful gold details. Fine copper fittings. The interior has two small boxes, ...

Pair of Late Victorian english bone letter openers/bone folders with sterling silver horse and dog/wolf handles By: unknown Material: bone, silver, metal,...

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

This antique paperweight is unsigned, but presumed to have been acquired during a Grand Tour through Italy, and dating to approximately 1880 and do...

Late Victorian Chinoiserie decorated Letter rack Black Laquered Background with gold detail Depicting Figures bedside river scenes foliage & leaf decoration urn with flowers, Sitting...

Very unusual 19th century silvered bronze tobacco cigar table lighter. The finely cast and chiseled features of a bronze man with a top hat and a large beared. The beared can be us...

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 ...

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...

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...

Holiday Gift Idea! This is a late 19th century English tortoise shell desk box paired with a set of three Italian faux tortoise leather notebooks. The notebooks have not been used. T...

Bronze Sculpture Mastiff by Charles Valton Dog Bronze Statue Animalier Antiques . Signed and stamped. Valton was known for his big cats but probably his mos...

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...

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

Antique Mappin & Webb Sterling Silver Double Inkwell—Georgian Style, London 1892 This rare antique Mappin & Webb sterling silver double inkwell, made in London in 1892, is a stunning Victorian-era desk accessory in the Georgian style. Made from solid sterling silver, the inkstand base features a gadrooned border and stands on ornate winged paw feet, showcasing exquisite 19th-century craftsmanship. The inkstand includes two finely cut glass inkwells with sterling silver lids and a central lidded compartment, originally designed for pen nibs, matches, or blotting sand. Today, it serves as the perfect storage for stamps, paperclips, or small desk accessories. The base is fitted with two integrated pen rests, offering both practicality and sophistication for any luxury office or study. This Victorian sterling silver inkwell is a collectible writing accessory, ideal for antique silver collectors...

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

19th Century Rosewood Writing Slope Decorated With Stylish Inlay Throughout. The slope features a well executed fitted interior sadly no hidden compartment. Interior when folded ou...

Set of old religious books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are called "Commentaries". These beautiful books are perf...

Very Stylish Fine Quality Polished Rosewood Wooden Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Cane of substantial quality and good weight very suitable to use as an everyday stick, with an elegant decoratively carved classical Cow Horn L shaped handle above a finely repousse chased gold plated collar with a cartouche engraved with H C. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Century, of English origin Condition: Good condition with nice patination, few small character dents to gilt mounts, complete with its original firm fitting solid steel and polished brass ferrule which is slightly worn. Nice straight stick in wonderful condition. Length: 32.75" (89cm) Width of handle: 4.25" (10.75cms). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable fixed price Worldwide Store to door Shipping offered by Seller. *TIP: When deciding to purchase a Walking Stick on-line, always check the dimensions especially its length. Many antique sticks...

A stunning gilt bronze and seed pearl singing bird box by Bontems of Paris - CIRCA 1890. The bird rises from beneath the enamal oval lid and is sure to delight!

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...

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

Antique Middle Eastern Qajar style Moorish picture photo album, with hand painted miniatures on the cover. This fine Middle Eastern Moorish style scrapbook is hand painted with 22-k...

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

This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date. This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlaid with a sumptuous arrangement of semi-precious stones including malachite, agate, onyx and amethyst. It is beautifully inlaid on a slate base. Not only is this desk paperweight very functional, but it is also an exquisite mineralogical wonder that can be admired by all discerning collectors. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation, Dimensions in cm: Height 2 x Width 17 x Depth 10 Dimensions in inches: Height 1 inch x width 7 inches x depth 4 inches. Pietra dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art. Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones; the singular pietra dura is also encountered in Italian. In Italian, but not in English, the term embraces all gem engraving and hardstone carving, which is the artistic carving of three-dimensional objects in semi-precious stone, normally from a single piece, for example in Chinese jade. The traditional convention in English has been to use the singular pietra dura just to denote multi-colored inlay work. However, in recent years there has been a trend to use pietre dure as a term for the same thing, but not for all of the techniques it covers, in Italian. But the title of a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe used the full Italian sense of the term, probably because they thought that it had greater brand recognition. The material on the website speaks of objects such as a vase in lapis lazuli as being examples of "hardstone carving (pietre dure)" The Victoria & Albert Museum in London uses both versions on its website, but uses pietra dura. "A method of inlaying coloured marbles or semi-precious stones into a stone base, often in geometric or flower patterns...." Giovanni Montelatici...

A fabulous oak desk calendar Lovely colour of oak Original patina. Not re-polished Good condition. All text and numbers complete Free UK shipping   

Beautiful pocket watch stand, or jewelry stand. Brass with enameled ornaments.

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...

19th Century Rosewood Writing Slope Decorated With Beautiful Woodland Floral Scenes & Inlay Throughout. The slope features a well executed fitted interior sadly no hidden compartme...

A Fantastic 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box. The box is composed of two sections of French opaline crystal which are mounted to a fa...

An exceptional antique Empire or Neoclassical marble rocker ink blotter with brass laurel wreath handle In the manner of Tiffany & Co. USA, Late 19th Century Measures: 5.13"W x 3"...

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...

An outstanding testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, this exceptional Napoleon III Gutta Percha pen holder was masterfully designed at the end of the 19th Century. The piece was m...

Bearing a Duke’s Coronet From our Writing Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this exceptional Victorian Olivewood Stationery Cabinet. The Cabinet of large size finished in ...

A Fantastic 19th century French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box. The box is composed of two sections of French opaline crystal which are mounted to a fab...