Swirled Glass Inkwell with Hinged Gilt Metal Lid on Pierced Gallery Tray, Louis Philippe Style Desk Inkstand

Before the fountain pen, every serious desk had one of these: a lidded well of ink and a dish to catch the drips. This one turns that simple job into a small piece of desk jewelry. It is a lovely companion for anyone who still writes by hand.

A round bottle of clear swirled glass is fitted with a hinged, domed gilt metal lid, trimmed with beaded bands and topped with a small knob. The bottle sits at the centre of a shallow round gilt metal tray. The tray has a beaded rim and a deep pierced gallery of repeating foliate motifs around its edge. The twisted ribs in the glass are made by turning the hot glass after it has been blown into a ribbed mould, so the ribs spiral around the bottle.

The inkwell is in very good vintage condition. It passes on with its gilt softened by use. On a writing desk it holds ink for a dip pen, or serves as a handsome ornament beside a blotter and letter rack.

It comprises: a swirled clear glass bottle with a hinged gilt metal lid, set in a gilt metal tray with a pierced foliate gallery.

DETAILS

Size: Height 14 cm (5.5 in) · Width 19 cm (7.5 in) — a little larger than a saucer
Material: clear swirled glass, gilt metal
Style-Period: Louis Philippe style
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide · we handle the paperwork and pay all import duties · nothing to settle on delivery
Condition: very good vintage condition
Returns: accepted within 30 days

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

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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