France Inkwells

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...

Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...

Small famille verte porcelain inkwell decorated with enameled flowerpots, foliage, and stylized rinceaux. The inkwell is set on a gilt bronze b...

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

Inkwell in red Griotte marble and gilt bronze representing an allegory of writing by Henri Chapu (1833-1891). This old 19th century inkstand is ...

Beautiful inkstand in carved crystal, with frame and cover in embossed silver. Signed by Lucien Gaillard (1861-1942), 107 rue La Boétie, Paris. Lucien Gaillard arises from silve...

Empire period gilt bronze and bird's eye maple veneer inkwell. This model is an exact replica of the inkwell that belonged to Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino, sister...

Art Nouveau Large jugendstil golden brass inkwell Original 1900 desk accessorie Original good condition Height 13 cm Large 25 cm

A very nice quality French Japonisme Style inkwell Attributed to l'Escalier de Cristal, circa 1880 Resting on a diamond-shaped polychromed hand-painted porcelain tray representing l...

Inkwell "Mures" made in opalescent glass with blue patina by René Lalique in 1920. Engraved signature on the edge. Perfect condition. Very nice model. diameter: 16 cm Félix Marci...

An Art Nouveau patinated and gilt bronze inkwell, circa 1900. An Art Nouveau patinated and gilt bronze inkwell, signed, circa 1900, lacking the glass receptacle. H: 5.5cm, W: 20cm, ...

Small inkwell crafted in porcelain, the paunch and lid decorated with a frieze of polychromatic floral motives highlighted with gold. The lid topped by a pine cone finial features a ...

19th century inkstand with three jars crafted of patinated bronze, serving as inkwells. They are decorated with acanthus leaf and small flowers....

Decorative XX century inkwell or box representing a silver plated hare.

19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...

Signed Diehl à Paris. Wood and silvered copper inkwell. Central drawer ornamented with an escutcheon and flanked by two small lateral drawers forming two containers, surmounted by a lid representing a nestling. Central niche ornamented with a winged creature. Inkwell flanked by two felines. Toped by a penholder representing a Moorish head resting on an eagle claw. This exceptional piece was realized thanks to the collaboration of ornemanist J. Brandely, sculptor E. Frémiet and cabinet-maker C.-G. Diehl. The motif of the fantasy creature dear to Diehl, is to be seen on the famous cabinet made by him in 1867 and now exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (Inv. 1989.197). Arriving in Paris in about 1840 Charles-Guillaume Diehl (1811-1885) founded his cabinet making and decoration firm at 19 rue Michel-le-Comte in 1885. His workshops produced elegant little pieces of furniture in rosewood and thuja and novelties with bronze and porcelain embellishments (see “Les ébénistes du XIXème siècle”, D. Ledoux-Lebard, Ed. de l’amateur, 1982, p.164). It was his luxury boxes, however (liqueur cellarettes, cigar cabinets, games boxes, cashmere cases, jewelry cases) which assured Diehl’s renown (see “l’Art en France sous le Second Empire”, Exposition Grand-Palais, Paris, 1979, p.133). Already rewarded with a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1855 in Paris, he exhibited a jardinière with china columns and a liqueur cabinet at the Industrial Arts Exhibition in 1861. In collaboration with the designer Jean Brandely (active from 1867 until 1873), Diehl renovated his decorative repertory and created astonishing pieces of furniture in the Grecian style which had a dazzling success at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867, where his cabinets also won a silver medal. Certain motifs were so typical of Diehl’s work that they received extensive commentary by the art critic J. Mesnard in his book “Les Merveilles de l’Exposition Universal de 1867” (vol. II, pp. 133 & 149). He writes of a table of which “the pendant bearing hooks and the fan shaped radiating motif which ornaments the entablature are engraved with love” (p. 133) and a jewelry case where “The head in fine Grecian style makes up the essential part of the fine gilt bronze ornamentation” (p. 149). For this Universal Exhibition Diehl also formed a partnership with two famous sculptors: Emile Guillemin (1841-1907) who carved the relief for a mahogany sideboard with galvanic gilt bronzes (Orsay Museum, Paris, Inv. O.A.O. 992) and Emmanuel Frémiet (1824-1910) who executed the low relief for a cedar medal cabinet...

Inkwell in agate set in a vermeil mount. The agate cut is closed by a finely chiseled lid of foliage patterns and whose grip is adorned with a head of putti. The handle, which is dec...

Late 19th century Art Nouveau inkwell and tidy crafted of bronze with brown and black patina, featuring an eagle with spread wings on a rock. This desktop piece includes two containers for ink hidden in the naturalist landscape. Signed on the base A Marionnet and underneath A. Marionnet BRONZES...

19th Century Viennese bronze inkwell representing a bird resting on a branch, 13 cm high, 20 cm wide and 7 cm deep. Additional information: Material: Bronze.

This Egyptian-style inkwell was crafted in France during the reign of Napoleon III. The centerpiece of the inkwell features a depiction of the goddess Hathor. Front-facing and hiera...

DAUM - Blue and violet polychrome glass paste pen and crystal inkwell. H 22.5 cm Side 6 cm

Chased and gilded bronze inkwell on a canted base with a frieze of interlacings centered on rosettes. Leobelisk model, topped by a seeded fruit. It features two covered cups decorate...

Gilt bronze inkwell, concealed in a grape basket, revealing two cups. The rectangular base is adorned with four urns at the corners, acting as nib holders, and with an applied semi-c...

Ink Pad by Le Verrier in Bronze Gold and Green Color France Signed

Inkwell night light by René Lalique, in dark red pressed molded glass. Silvered bronze base. Electrified. 3 polished chips. Total height: 10 cm Width: 15cm Depth: 15cm Weight: 1,4 ...

Restauration inkstand composed of a high, gilt bronze base with two inkwells and two penholders, decorated with a frieze of stylized flowers. The rectangular lid is topped by a patin...

This is a calligraphy set with a wooden lacquer box. There is a pen, an indien ink, a porcelain pot for water and a stone base to make the ink. And ...

A 19th Century French “Japonisme” Inkwell Patinated and gilt bronze, very finely chizeled Open-worked design in the Chinese Archaïc Taste of fighting dragoons The penholders simulati...

Mounted horse hoof inkwell with horseshoe pen holder Inkwell shoe ferrer pen holder with beautiful finish, popular art work Shipping: L11 P19 ...

Inkwell "Nénuphar" (Water Lily) made in frosted glass with grey patina by René Lalique in 1910. Engraved signature. Perfect condition. diameter : 7 cm Félix Marcilhac, René Lali...

A very rare desk set of 5 pieces made by Gosum. Sweden. Signed Bronze.

Albert Marionnet (1852-1910), A Large Belle-Epoque Naturalistic Inkwell, circa 1900 In gilded and chiseled bronze with naturalistic decoration of grapevines, the green marble board ...

Beautiful 19th century French porcelain inkwell from the imperial manufacture of Sevres. Green and gold decor with dolphin's head. Stamped Sevres at the back. Rare item.

An gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Louis XV style gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 23cm, W: 37cm, D: 24cm

Porcelain and bronze inkwell in the taste of Asian Art. Inkwell decorated with a Buddha in white porcelain on a red lacquer tray mounted with gilt bronze and inkwells in porcelain a...

An ormolu and marble inkwell, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Louis XVI style inkwell, 19th century, Napoleon III period in marble and ormolu depicting a putto. H: 26cm, W: 34c...

Marocain stone inkwell The sculpture represents a horseshoe surrounded by branches of leaves The words "Souvenir oranais" are wroten in French on ...

Silver-plated bronze inkwell representing a bust of an Arab wearing a turban, which hides the hole for the ink pot, placed on an onyx base This inkwell in the orientalist style is s...

An ormolu, enamelled and cloisonné inkwell and two candlesticks from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. An ormolu, cloisonné and enamelled inkwe...

Double inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze Important double inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilded bronze with nice neo-classical decorations, XIXth century. H: 12cm, W: 34c...

Marble and gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. Napoleon III period gilt bronze and marble inkwell decorated with imperial eagles, with porcelain interior...

"Nice inkwell of the 19th century with its two ink receptacles and the stamp holder" Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze and glass, 19th century, with its two ink receptacle...

"Inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze" Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze, 19th century. H: 15cm, W: 21cm, D: 14,5cm.

Sterling silver inkwell made in Denmark, 1920. Very large size silver inkwell holder made of sterling silver, weight 620 grams. Good condition, some engraving on the silver as seen...

French Porcelaine and bronze inkstand. Marks of Samson, 19th century.

Chinese ceramic pocket inkwell white blue late 19th century in its inlaid box. Dimension height 7 cm for a size of 21 cm long (once opened) for 9 cm deep. Additional information: ...

Crystal inkwell bottle with blue and violet polychrome pâte de verre nib. Height: 22.5 cm

Lovely inkwell in gilded bronze surmounted by an ibex. This inkwell opens with its interior complete and in good condition.

Bronze inkwell sculpture with nuanced brown patination. Two ink pots are cleverly hidden at either end of the sculpture: One in the stump of the tree and the other under a rock. Moig...

White porcelain inkwell in the form of a shell, highlighted with gold and resting on a square base. The top features two round, glass inkwells and two pen holes. Light wear to the gi...

19th century black marble inkwell surmounted by a patinated bronze statue featuring Moses by Michelangelo. The statue of Moses, commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb and housed in the church of San Pietro in Rome, is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. The Renaissance, like the Middle Ages, was a rich source of inspiration for 19th century artists, who used to imitate the works of the past. Our inkwell is provided with two gilt bronze ink...

Mother of pearl and Ormolu watch holder and inkwell. The center of the piece is decorated with an angel who is standing on a pedestal that rests in a semi...

Louis XV style bronze inkwell ,in the middle you have a marble plaque in the shape of a heart ,the bronze are finely executed,original condition Extremly rare this inkwell have its...

Writing stand, Sterling silver and glass, by Gösta Konstantin Helenius, Ábo Sweden 1928. Square bottle, bevelled edges, size 6x6 cm, height tot. 9 cm. W...

Gilt bronze inkwell in the Louis XVI style, representing Love seated with two sticks in his hands, surrounded by timbales. The circular timbales in gilt bronze, are decorated with dr...