Bronze inkwells that double as sculptures or at least draw the eye better than a Post-It note. So much more fun than your next computer mouse. Mostly Victorian, some not.

*The Vanishing Race.* Undated, by 1920. American. Bronze inkwell. Charles Plein, maker (1870-1920). Signed *Plein, Omaha.* Image © 2026 Abington Auction Gallery. Fair use license. https://www.abingtonauctions.com/auction-lot/charles-plein-bronze-inkwell-the-vanishing-race_4644BC7944

Bronze and oak wood sailboat ink stand with two glass inkwells and lids. Mid 20th c. No further information available. Image © 2026 Abington Auction Gallery. Fair use license. https://www.abingtonauctions.com/auction-lot/bronze-wood-sailboat-ink-stand-mid-20th-c_0274746AB7

Bronze inkwell embellished with floral, scallop, and ram’s head details and a centered scroll handle with two wells. French. Victorian, 19th c. Maker not known. Image © Newel Gallery. Fair use license. https://www.newel.com/product/french-victorian-bronze-inkwell-2

Inkwell in yellow Siena marble with a gilded bronze sphinx and inkwells. French. Egyptian Revival. Early 20th c. Maker not known. Image © 2026 Pamono GmbH. Fair use license. https://www.pamono.com/early-20th-century-french-inkwell?srsltid=AfmBOopp0UTSL9wnUi3e1BxG7TQ4jbMbAk16XuXUGy861sbIFP_rzkWm

Solid brass or bronze maritime motif inkwell with a glass jar to hold the ink flanked on each side by a clam shell that can be open or shut and a large clam shell on the front that serves as a vide poche to keep small odds and ends in one place. The back is embellished with the motif or two roped anchors. The lid for the glass ink well missing. Undated, ca. 1900. Image © antiquesboutique.com. Fair use license https://www.antiquesboutique.com/antique-desk-accessories/art-nouveau-inkwell-bronze-maritime-decor-early-20th-century/itm248114

Bronze inkwell in the Rococo style and featuring intricate scrollwork, a central bust, and two lidded ink pots along with a letter opener. mid-late 19th c. Probably French. Maker not shown. Image © intondo.com. Fair use license. https://www.intondo.com/en/products/127957/decor/decorative-object/desk-inkwell-bronze-19th-century

Smoker’s compendiums done up to look like something else, all in silver. A zeppelin, an airplane with cigarettes living in the wings and some other fun ideas. Mostly German but not all. And one in nickel plated brass but it fits right in.

A silver-plated smoker’s compendium made by J. A. Henckels and a cocktail shaker, both modeled as zeppelins. ca. 1930s. German. Inscribed “*Gus Rush*.” Image © Sotheby’s 2025. Fair use license. https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/noble-private-collections-l25302/a-german-silver-plated-smokers-compendium-j-a

A large sterling silver engine turned smoking compendium, the two main compartments, one for cigars and the other for cigarettes, lined with cedar wood to keep moisture and freshness to the tobacco. The interior of the compartment lids are lemon gilded to help prevent tarnishing caused by oxidizing. Dividing the two hinged compartments are a cigar cutter and match safe, or vesta. Art Deco, made in 1938. Made in London, England by Padgett and Braham Limited. Hallmarked. Image © Foundwell. Fair use license. https://foundwell.com/products/silver-smoking-compendium?srsltid=AfmBOore2m8wKCW-q6V6fHFsUq4CRSXXnBoo73WjT68onYJq-wk73Trf

Airplane form cigar smoker’s compendium, consisting of two hinged cigarette cases, track-mounted to an aircraft body with a hidden interior compartment for storing cigars. A turn of the propeller engages the steel cigar cutter. The compendium has nested ashtrays and a removable match striker cap cover for keeping matchsticks; the underside features a wheeled hidden compartment. Art Deco, made in the 1920s. German. Nickel-plated brass. J. A. Henckels, maker. Impressed D.R.G.M. Germany. Image © 2025 – SIR JACK’S. Fair use license. https://sirjacks.com/products/ja-henckels-airplane-smokers-compendium?srsltid=AfmBOooRsBroYm0YAvxixeX1_dDjMAu7X_VO5c8htVf3WwRi_6fcP5rz

Silver and enamel smokers compendium with enamel ornamentation. Victorian, made in 1890. Made in London, England by Henry Stewart Brown. Maker’s marks: Hallmarked. Image © Bonhams 2001-2025. fair use license. https://www.bonhams.com/auction/22132/lot/58/an-unusual-victorian-silver-and-enamel-novelty-smokers-compendium-by-henry-stewart-brown-london-1890-together-with-a-late-19th-century-chinese-export-silver-mounted-mother-of-pearl-etui-2/#lot-details

Sterling silver and cranberry glass rectangular-shaped smoking compendium, modeled in the form of a carriage, with a cross-shaped chassis fitted to either side with functional hallmarked spoked wheels. The central portion of the carriage retains the original cranberry glass body/cigarette holder, which is fitted with a plain silver mount to the rim, ornamented with the engraved date ‘*1889.*‘ One end of the carriage frame bears a semi-cylindrical match holder, accented with a paralleling dishpan and applied match striker to the surface; the opposing end of the frame features a sterling silver lighter, with a bulbous circular form. Incorporated into the compendium is a conical receiver fitted with the original taper holder, accented with a pierced hole to the terminal and a tiered ball style finial/fingerpiece. Victorian, made in 1888. Maker’s marks: the frame bears the retailer’s mark ‘*Jones, 41 Saint James Street.*‘ Full hallmarks to the underside of the frame and part hallmarks to each wheel. Image © 1998-2025 Ruby Lane, Inc. Fair use license. https://www.rubylane.com/item/2236771-C7938/Antique-Victorian-Sterling-Silver-Cranberry-Glass

The airplane looked exceedingly familiar. It turns out that the same company made nickel plated airplanes fitted out in different ways, I have one in my spring series that is a twin to this plane but it’s stuffed with barware, this.

Photograph of everything that fits inside. https://sirjacks.com/products/ja-henckels-airplane-cocktail-shaker-travel-bar?srsltid=AfmBOoqNBCH1OQ-_DNMJqDOu5f3GsfEnBPloDP4E2kEG5hYn_VEk_d3v .

Letter holders sculpted up to look like animals doing something while standing on your desk. Something fun to look at while you pay the electric bill. Various dates.

Brass fox letter holder, the fox shown mid-leap framed by grasses and a fence. Edwardian, early 20th c. English. Maker not known. Image © 1stDibs.com, Inc. 2025. Fair use license. https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/desk-accessories/desk-sets/english-edwardian-brass-fox-letter-holder/id-f_42800512/

Brass horse letter holder, the horse standing in front of a fence. Made in Italy in the 1950s in the Victorian style. Image © 1stDibs.com, Inc. 2025. Fair use license. https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/desk-accessories/desk-sets/very-nice-brass-letter-holder-horse-fence-1950s/id-f_43402762/

Brass duck letter or napkin holder, the duck framed by cattails. 1980s. Maker not given. Image © 2025 Etsy, Inc. Fair use license. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4338548140/vintage-brass-duck-napkin-or-letter?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=antique+brass+letter+holder&ref=sr_gallery-1-29&frs=1&content_source=0ee74fe3-2f58-472c-89d5-c17cc069625d%253A6318d0280c3d299629f07b3aac6f22ebc2449baa&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=0ee74fe3-2f58-472c-89d5-c17cc069625d%3A6318d0280c3d299629f07b3aac6f22ebc2449baa

Surtout de table or table centerpieces. French. They just don’t make them like this anymore.

Surtout de table à la Pagode in finely chiseled vermeil. Composed of a large plate, covered by a mirror and surrounded by balustrades surmounted by covered urns running alongside four small removable basins opening onto two flights of steps flanked by dolphins and, on the sides, onto two fountains with mascarons in the middle of rushes. There is an open pagoda in the center with leafy uprights and an openwork roof with a Meissen porcelain musician in the center. 1873 to 1900. French. Boin Taburet, maker. Maker’s marks: Goldsmith’s signature *BOIN TABURET à PARIS*. Image © proantic.com. Fair use license. via https://www.proantic.com/magazine/surtout-de-table-a-la-pagode/

Surtout de Table in cast and gilt bronze with hand engraving, cut glass, and silver-mirrored glass. Similar to one used at the wedding banquet of Napoleon and Empress Marie-Louise. ca. 1810. French. Pierre-Philippe Thomire, maker (1751-1843). Image © Cooper Hewitt Museum. Fair use license. via https://www.cooperhewitt.org/2018/09/05/surtout-de-table-sustenance-of-political-power/

Central section of a surtout de table of centerpiece for a table of a hundred guests with the theme of France distributing crowns of glory. Galvanic bronze and silver-plated bronze, electroplated. Originally silver-plated, its present color, rough areas, and blisters are due to the terrible fire that destroyed the Tuileries palace during the Commune in 1871. Neoclassical. 1852-1858, commissioned in 1852 by the future Napoleon III. French. François Gilbert, Georges Diebolt, and Pierre-Louis Rouillard, sculptors. Made in Paris by Christofle. Image © MAD, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Fair use license. via https://madparis.fr/central-section-of-a-centerpiece-for-a-table-of-a-hundred-guests-france

Motoring mascots. Make your automobile look like it’s out of “The Great Gatsby”.

“Speed Demon” mascot in nickel plated bronze mounted on a wood display base. 1920s. British. Image
© Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/online_auctions/27142/lot/1

Stylized “Goose” mascot in nickel planted bronze on an integral radiator cap. Drilled on the underside. 1920s. Bocazi, maker. Signed. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/online_auctions/27142/lot/2

Replica “Pathfinder” mascot after Poitvin in nickel plated bronze. Undated. Makers’ marks: marked “Finnigans London” and “Made in France” to the base. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/online_auctions/27142/lot/4

Smoker sets. Mostly Jugendstil. One by Josef Hoffmann for the Wiener Werkstätte. Almost makes me want to start smoking again (not).

Art Nouveau Iridescent Feathered Glass Smoking Set 4 PC

Phänomen Genre 829 smoking set with two holders for cigarettes or cigars and an ashtray sitting on a brass tray. ca. 1900. Jugendstil. Bohemian. Iridescent feathered glass and brass. Loetz, maker. Image via © 1998-2021 Ruby Lane, Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.rubylane.com/item/518922-1213skm/Art-Nouveau-Loetz-Iridescent-Feathered-Glass

Complete smoker’s set with tray, cigarette holders and ashtray along with a match holder. 1923. Wiener Werkstätte. Brass. Made in Austria and designed by Josef Hoffmann. Maker’s marks: marked at the rim with “Wiener Werk Statte” in three rows, “Made in Austria” and the Josef Hoffmann signet “JH”. Image © 1stDibs.com, Inc. 2021. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/dining-entertaining/ashtrays/smokers-set-josef-hoffmann-wiener-werkstatte-circa-1923-austrian-jugendstil/id-f_20693992/

Smoking set in brass and copper with a ornately decorated copper plate and two tobacco bowls, an ashtray and a match holder all with externally mounted brass stands. ca. 1915. Jugendstil. Austrian. Maker not known. Image © 1stDibs.com, Inc. 2021. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/collectibles-curiosities/tobacco-accessories/smoking-set-plate-copper-brass-art-nouveau-austria-circa-1915/id-f_17750102/#skuId=f_17750102S1

Four piece smoking set with cigarette and match holders, ashtray and tray. ca. 1910. Made in Vienna, Austria. Silver plate and crystal glass. Argentor – Werke Rust and Hetzel. Image © 2021 Catawiki. Fair use license. via https://www.catawiki.com/l/17803997-argentor-4-piece-jugendstil-silver-plated-smoking-set

Gothic Revival candlesticks. Interesting. Like having miniature castles in attendance at your dinner party.

Pair of gilt and green painted metal candlesticks in the Gothic taste. 19th c. Possibly French. Maker not known. Image © 2020 DREWEATTS 1759 LTD. Fair use license. via https://auctions.dreweatts.com/auctions/7833/drewea1-10229/lot-details/9a2b48b7-ea51-4f66-a6b4-ad2d009d929e

Pair of candlesticks in brass, mounted on a wide rounded pedestal base with a column step with a central angled knop with Gothic style cutouts and castellated round top candleholders. The body is decorated with red and green enamels with red enamel also applied to the base. 19th c. Gothic Revival. Possibly made in India. Not marked. Image © xupes.com. Fair use license. via https://www.xupes.com/art/product-details/9034/superb-antique-pair-gothic-revival-enamelled-brass-candlesticks-19th-c/superb-antique-pair-gothic-revival-enamelled-brass-candlesticks-19th-c.html

Pair of tall gilded Gothic Revival pricket candlesticks. ca. 1850. English. Image © Susan Silver Antiques. Fair use license. via https://susansilverantiques.com/product/pair-bronze-gothic-revival-candlesticks/

Set of three solid brass altar candle holders decorated at the bottom with a church and cross in the center of each side. Made to be used in a church. Antique, ca. 1900 or earlier. Gothic Revival. Image © 2021 Chairish, Inc. and the Gilded Lion, Scottsdale, Arizona. Fair use license. via https://www.chairish.com/product/2180005/antique-gothic-revival-brass-alter-candle-holders-candlesticks-set-of-3