A WONDERFULLY DECORATIVE ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU DOUBLE INKWELL, DATING FROM THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY.
This substantial gilt-metal desk inkstand combines two hinged inkwells, a pen tray and an impressive architectural backplate. Decorated with stylised foliage, geometric detailing and a charming country landscape, it would make a fabulous addition to an antique writing desk, study or library.
THE DETAILS
• Object: Double inkwell and desk inkstand
• Origin: Continental Europe, probably France or Germany
• Date: Circa 1900–1920
• Period: Early 20th century
• Material: Cast white metal with a gilt finish
• Decoration: Cast floral, foliate, geometric and landscape motifs
• Colour: Aged gold, dark bronze and silver-grey
• Style: Art Nouveau, Jugendstil and early Art Deco
• Original use: Writing desk inkstand
• Maker: Unidentified
• Marks: No visible maker’s mark
• Height: Approximately 18 cm / 7⅛ inches
• Width: Approximately 27 cm / 10⅝ inches
• Depth: Approximately 12 cm / 4¾ inches
ABOUT THIS PIECE
This handsome antique desk stand is an unusually substantial and decorative example of early 20th-century writing equipment.
Two square hinged inkwell covers sit symmetrically on the shaped base. Each lid is decorated with finely cast foliage and lifts to reveal a circular recess that would originally have accommodated a removable glass or ceramic ink pot.
A shallow integrated pen tray extends across the front, while the two inkwells are divided by a large central arrangement of stylised leaves.
Behind them rises an impressive decorative backplate. Its upper section contains a charming pastoral scene of a country house surrounded by trees. Elongated vertical lines and square geometric motifs give the design a distinct Jugendstil or early Art Deco quality.
Sweeping openwork curves and branches of stylised leaves frame the backplate, while further foliate ornament flows across the base and around the two inkwells. The result is a wonderfully sculptural piece when viewed from any angle.
The surface has developed a fabulous timeworn finish, with areas of warm old gold contrasting against darker patination and exposed silver-grey metal.
THE DESIGN AND DATE
The flowing leaves, organic curves and integration of natural ornament with a functional household object are characteristic of the European Art Nouveau movement.
The restrained vertical lines and geometric square motifs suggest that the inkstand was produced during the transition from Art Nouveau and Jugendstil towards early Art Deco design. A date of approximately 1900–1920 is therefore appropriate.
No maker’s mark is visible, so the piece has not been attributed to a particular manufacturer or country. Similar cast-metal desk accessories were produced in France, Germany, Austria and neighbouring European centres during the early years of the 20th century.
CONDITION
In good antique condition with wear consistent with more than a century of age and use.
Both hinged inkwell lids remain present and operational. The removable glass or ceramic ink liners are no longer present.
There is extensive attractive rubbing and variation to the original gilt finish, revealing areas of darker patination and silver-grey base metal beneath. There are surface marks, scratches, small areas of oxidation and general wear throughout.
These signs of age give the piece its wonderfully atmospheric, timeworn character. Please study all photographs and the accompanying video carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
POLLY’S STYLING NOTES
This is exactly the sort of characterful antique that immediately brings atmosphere and history to a room.
I would display it on an old writing desk or library table alongside antique books, handwritten letters and a beautiful fountain or dip pen.
Its aged surface, sculptural outline and old-gold highlights make it an excellent decorative piece for an English country-house interior, gentleman’s study, home office or richly layered dark-academia scheme.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Personally sourced by Polly of French General Trading, drawing on more than 25 years of experience buying and selling antiques, decorative objects and European brocante.
Each piece is chosen individually for its history, decorative character and ability to bring something unique to an interior.
COME ANTIQUING WITH ME
Join me on YouTube at FGT TV – Antiques Expert on the Ground, where I take you behind the scenes as I search antique fairs, flea markets, brocantes and country-house sales for unique pieces.
Watch my latest antiquing adventures here:
https://www.youtube.com/@frenchgeneraltrading
DELIVERY
This antique double inkstand will be carefully packed for its journey from Dorset, England.
Orders are normally dispatched within 48 hours. International delivery is available to selected destinations, with the applicable delivery information shown at checkout.
This substantial gilt-metal desk inkstand combines two hinged inkwells, a pen tray and an impressive architectural backplate. Decorated with stylised foliage, geometric detailing and a charming country landscape, it would make a fabulous addition to an antique writing desk, study or library.
THE DETAILS
• Object: Double inkwell and desk inkstand
• Origin: Continental Europe, probably France or Germany
• Date: Circa 1900–1920
• Period: Early 20th century
• Material: Cast white metal with a gilt finish
• Decoration: Cast floral, foliate, geometric and landscape motifs
• Colour: Aged gold, dark bronze and silver-grey
• Style: Art Nouveau, Jugendstil and early Art Deco
• Original use: Writing desk inkstand
• Maker: Unidentified
• Marks: No visible maker’s mark
• Height: Approximately 18 cm / 7⅛ inches
• Width: Approximately 27 cm / 10⅝ inches
• Depth: Approximately 12 cm / 4¾ inches
ABOUT THIS PIECE
This handsome antique desk stand is an unusually substantial and decorative example of early 20th-century writing equipment.
Two square hinged inkwell covers sit symmetrically on the shaped base. Each lid is decorated with finely cast foliage and lifts to reveal a circular recess that would originally have accommodated a removable glass or ceramic ink pot.
A shallow integrated pen tray extends across the front, while the two inkwells are divided by a large central arrangement of stylised leaves.
Behind them rises an impressive decorative backplate. Its upper section contains a charming pastoral scene of a country house surrounded by trees. Elongated vertical lines and square geometric motifs give the design a distinct Jugendstil or early Art Deco quality.
Sweeping openwork curves and branches of stylised leaves frame the backplate, while further foliate ornament flows across the base and around the two inkwells. The result is a wonderfully sculptural piece when viewed from any angle.
The surface has developed a fabulous timeworn finish, with areas of warm old gold contrasting against darker patination and exposed silver-grey metal.
THE DESIGN AND DATE
The flowing leaves, organic curves and integration of natural ornament with a functional household object are characteristic of the European Art Nouveau movement.
The restrained vertical lines and geometric square motifs suggest that the inkstand was produced during the transition from Art Nouveau and Jugendstil towards early Art Deco design. A date of approximately 1900–1920 is therefore appropriate.
No maker’s mark is visible, so the piece has not been attributed to a particular manufacturer or country. Similar cast-metal desk accessories were produced in France, Germany, Austria and neighbouring European centres during the early years of the 20th century.
CONDITION
In good antique condition with wear consistent with more than a century of age and use.
Both hinged inkwell lids remain present and operational. The removable glass or ceramic ink liners are no longer present.
There is extensive attractive rubbing and variation to the original gilt finish, revealing areas of darker patination and silver-grey base metal beneath. There are surface marks, scratches, small areas of oxidation and general wear throughout.
These signs of age give the piece its wonderfully atmospheric, timeworn character. Please study all photographs and the accompanying video carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
POLLY’S STYLING NOTES
This is exactly the sort of characterful antique that immediately brings atmosphere and history to a room.
I would display it on an old writing desk or library table alongside antique books, handwritten letters and a beautiful fountain or dip pen.
Its aged surface, sculptural outline and old-gold highlights make it an excellent decorative piece for an English country-house interior, gentleman’s study, home office or richly layered dark-academia scheme.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Personally sourced by Polly of French General Trading, drawing on more than 25 years of experience buying and selling antiques, decorative objects and European brocante.
Each piece is chosen individually for its history, decorative character and ability to bring something unique to an interior.
COME ANTIQUING WITH ME
Join me on YouTube at FGT TV – Antiques Expert on the Ground, where I take you behind the scenes as I search antique fairs, flea markets, brocantes and country-house sales for unique pieces.
Watch my latest antiquing adventures here:
https://www.youtube.com/@frenchgeneraltrading
DELIVERY
This antique double inkstand will be carefully packed for its journey from Dorset, England.
Orders are normally dispatched within 48 hours. International delivery is available to selected destinations, with the applicable delivery information shown at checkout.