Antique Louis XVI Style InkwellRed Marble Circular Tray with Gilt-Tone Metal Urn and Two Pen Rests

A small round inkwell like this belongs to the days of dip pens and letters written at a proper desk. It still brings a touch of that slower ritual to a writing table today.

The inkwell stands on three small cast feet decorated with leaves. Its round tray is framed by a band of laurel and set with a red top in a marble effect. A footed ink cup with a rope-twist band and a hinged lid sits at one side. Two small forked pen rests stand on the tray beside it. The writer laid a dip pen across these little forks between dips, so the wet nib never touched the desk or the paper.

The inkwell is in good vintage condition, with an old patina to the metal and light marks from use on the tray and the cup. It's a small piece of desk history that will sit happily on a writing table for many more years. Place it on a desk, a bureau or a bookshelf, or add it to a collection of writing accessories.

Pen-rest inkwell: a vintage Louis XVI style brass-tone desk inkwell with a red marble-effect tray, a hinged ink cup, two pen rests and three leafy feet.

DETAILS

Size: Ø 11 cm (4.3 in) · H 10 cm (3.9 in) · about the size of a large coffee mug
Material: brass-tone metal, red marble-effect top
Style-Period: Louis XVI style · early 20th century
Weight: 480 g (1.1 lb)
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide · we handle the paperwork and pay all import duties · nothing to settle on delivery
Condition: good vintage condition · old patina, light marks from use on the tray and the cup
Returns: accepted within 30 days
Sold as: the inkwell only; pens and ink not included

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

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Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

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