Inkstands: Desktop Writing Accessories from the 17th to Early 20th Century

An inkstand (also called an inkwell set or standish) is a desk accessory designed to hold one or more ink containers along with pens, sand shakers (pounce pots), sealing wax, and other writing implements. Produced from the 1600s through the early 1900s in materials ranging from silver and bronze to porcelain, glass, and papier-mache, inkstands served as both functional tools and status symbols on the desks of merchants, statesmen, and writers.

Types and Materials

• Silver inkstands: The most prestigious and valuable. English hallmarked examples from makers like Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, and major Georgian silversmiths are highly sought. Typically feature two or three receptacles on a footed tray.
• Bronze and ormolu: French and Continental inkstands in gilt bronze, often incorporating figural elements -- classical figures, animals, or allegorical scenes. Empire and Napoleon III periods produced particularly elaborate examples.
• Porcelain: Meissen, Sevres, Derby, and other factories produced decorative inkstands. Often painted with floral or figural scenes.
• Glass: Cut glass inkwells set in metal frames. Bohemian colored glass examples and American brilliant-cut crystal inkwells are collected.
• Cast iron and brass: Victorian-era desk sets in naturalistic or architectural forms. More affordable but widely collected for their decorative appeal.
• Wood and papier-mache: Painted and lacquered examples, often with mother-of-pearl inlay. Associated with the Victorian period.

Identification

• Silver hallmarks: English silver inkstands bear date letters, maker's marks, and assay office marks that precisely date and attribute them. Continental silver carries national marks.
• Foundry marks: Bronze inkstands from French foundries (Barbedienne, Susse Freres) carry cast marks and sometimes artist signatures.
• Porcelain marks: Factory marks on the base identify the maker. Meissen crossed swords, Sevres interlaced Ls, and other marks aid attribution.
• Style and construction: The form of hinges, feet, and pen rests, along with decorative motifs, help date unmarked examples to specific periods.

Auction Price Ranges

Historical Context

The inkstand's evolution reflects changes in writing culture:

• 17th--18th century: Grand silver and bronze inkstands served as symbols of wealth and education. They occupied prominent positions on desks in counting houses, government offices, and private libraries.
• Regency and Empire periods (1800--1830): Neoclassical designs in silver and ormolu reached their artistic peak. Presentation inkstands became popular gifts for retiring officials and military officers.
• Victorian era (1837--1901): Mass production made inkstands accessible to the middle class. Cast iron, brass, and electroplated models proliferated. Novelty designs (animals, buildings, historical figures) emerged.
• Early 20th century: The fountain pen's rise (1880s--1900s) gradually eliminated the need for desk inkwells. By the 1920s, inkstand production had effectively ceased.

Condition Factors

• Completeness: Inkstands should retain all original components -- ink containers, lids, pounce pot, pen rest, and tray. Missing parts substantially reduce value.
• Silver condition: Dents, repairs, and removed inscriptions (erased cartouches) lower value. Original gilding in the wells is a positive sign of quality.
• Glass inserts: Original glass liners are often cracked, chipped, or replaced. Original liners with matching cuts add value; replacements are acceptable but noted.
• Patina: Bronze and brass inkstands should retain an appropriate aged patina. Overly polished or lacquered surfaces detract from desirability.

Collecting Tips

• Georgian and Regency English silver inkstands combine functional appeal with the cachet of hallmarked silver, making them dual-interest pieces for both silver and desk accessory collectors.
• French figural bronze inkstands appeal to both sculpture and decorative arts collectors, broadening the buyer pool at auction.
• Presentation inkstands with engraved inscriptions linking them to notable individuals, events, or institutions carry a significant provenance premium.
• Single inkwells (without a tray or stand) are far more affordable and make an accessible entry point for new collectors.
• The transition from dip pens to fountain pens around 1900 effectively ended inkstand production, making pre-1900 examples the primary collecting focus.
• Collect by material (silver, bronze, porcelain) or by period (Georgian, Victorian, Empire) to build a focused, coherent collection.
• Crystal inkwells by Baccarat, Saint-Louis, and American Brilliant Period makers have crossover appeal with glass collectors.
• English silver inkstands are well documented through hallmark reference books; Jackson's "English Goldsmiths and Their Marks" is invaluable for dating and attribution.
• Travel inkwells -- compact, portable designs made for use while journeying -- are a charming sub-category available at moderate prices.
• Inkstands with historical association -- used by a notable writer, politician, or in a famous office -- carry provenance premiums that can far exceed the object's intrinsic value.