A standish (more commonly called an inkstand) is a small container or case that was historically used for holding writing materials such as pens, ink, and paper. The term "standish" comes from the Middle English word "stand-dich," which means "stand for writing."

A typical standish would consist of a box or case with compartments for holding pens, inkwells, and sometimes other writing materials such as sand for blotting ink. The standish was often made from wood, metal, or ceramic materials, and could be decorated with intricate designs or motifs.

Standishes were commonly used in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, when writing was an important and widespread activity. They were particularly popular among wealthy and upper-class individuals, who would use them as part of their writing desk or set. However, with the advent of ballpoint pens and other modern writing tools, standishes have largely fallen out of more...

60 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Large antique carved wood desk set standish extensive wood…

Large antique carved wood desk set standish extensive wood carving to base with pen stand, and upper level, fitted for holding a pair glass inkwells, width 40 cm

Victorian wooden Desk Standish with pen tray to top surface,…

Victorian Desk Standish with Inkwells and Storage

Victorian wooden Desk Standish with pen tray to top surface, and 2 glass inkwells, hinge to 1 requires repair, over lockable storage space below, key available, width 31 cm.

Vintage decorated cast metal Desk Standish surmounted with a…

Stags Head Desk Standish with Inkwells and Basin

Vintage decorated cast metal Desk Standish surmounted with a Stags Head form for pen storage, and decorated pen and stationery basin, with 2 glass inkwells, width 28 cm.

Victorian sterling silver standish, hallmarked Sheffield,1882…

Victorian Sterling Silver Standish with Inkwell and Taperstick

Victorian sterling silver standish, hallmarked Sheffield,1882 Jd&S ( James Dixon & Sons Ltd), of oval form, with pierced rim and set with central taper stick, flanked with circular ink well holders decorated with geometric border, with unmarked shield to…

A rare Victorian bois durci desk standish with pen rest and…

Victorian Bois Durci Desk Standish with Lid Box

A rare Victorian bois durci desk standish with pen rest and lidded four compartment box, moulded with scrolls and floral sprigs. Small chip edge, width 16 cm

A late Victorian silver and tortoiseshell standish, the…

Victorian Silver and Tortoiseshell Ink Standish

A late Victorian silver and tortoiseshell standish, the tortoiseshell base with silver gadrooned rim and two pen holders, crystal silver topped inkwell to the centre, London 1899/1900 by J Batson & Son (Henry John Batson & Albert Edward Batson). Diameter…

Victorian pressed brass standish, of rectangular form and set…

Victorian Brass Standish with Pen Well and Holders

Victorian pressed brass standish, of rectangular form and set with twin handles, with pen well and three circular holders, missing bottles, raised on four ball feet, 7.5 cm x 30 cm x 13 cm

A Victorian silver desk standish, by Henry Wilkinson & Co.,…

Victorian Silver Desk Standish with Inkwell and Taper Stick

A Victorian silver desk standish, by Henry Wilkinson & Co., Sheffield 1856. 333gm, the scrolling oval tray with facetted glass inkwell, baluster taper stick and lidded ponce pot., a noted

Wedgwood drabware pottery ink standish

Wedgwood Drabware Ink Standish

Wedgwood drabware pottery ink standish

An Edwardian silver standish, the tray raised on four ball and…

Edwardian Silver Standish with Ink Pots and Presentation Inscription

An Edwardian silver standish, the tray raised on four ball and claw feet, with two pen wells, two silver lidded crystal ink pots and hinged lidded container to the centre, with engraved presentation inscription, London 1910 by Reid & Sons, 900gm (without…

Art Nouveau cast iron standish with Rd No 437759, circa 1905

Art Nouveau Cast Iron Standish (1905)

Art Nouveau cast iron standish with Rd No 437759, circa 1905

Victorian silver plate and cut glass standish with chamberstick…

Elkington & Co. Victorian Silver Plate Standish with Chamberstick

Victorian silver plate and cut glass standish with chamberstick and snuffer, Elkington & Co. Makers, London

George V sterling silver standish with original cut glass…

George V Sterling Silver Standish with Cut Glass Inkwells

George V sterling silver standish with original cut glass inkwells, Thomas Bradbury & Son Sheffield 1935, 339g

Victorian sterling silver standish with original cut glass…

Victorian Silver Standish with Cut Glass Inkwell

Victorian sterling silver standish with original cut glass inkwell, Henry Wilkinson & Co. London 1899, 356g

Beautiful 19th century bronze standish, in rococo taste, set…

19th Century Rococo Bronze Standish with Inkwells and Pen Wells

Beautiful 19th century bronze standish, in rococo taste, set with central covered box, flanked by a pair of inkwells and pen wells, surrounded by acanthus and scroll decoration, with handles to each side, restored, length 44 cm

An Edwardian sterling silver standish inkwell, with pierced…

Edwardian Sterling Silver Inkwell Standish

An Edwardian sterling silver standish inkwell, with pierced gallery later ink pots, glass body and brass lid. William Neale, Chester 1906. Weight 561 grams.

Edward VII silver plate desk standish with engraved dedication…

Redfern Bowling Club President's Trophy Desk Standish (1909)

Edward VII silver plate desk standish with engraved dedication dated 1909, for Redfern bowling club, President's trophy, with silver plate topped crystal ink wells, and standing stag motif, (length 30 cm approx).

World War II trench art dual ink well standish width 28.5 cm

WWII Dual Inkwell Trench Art Standish (28.5cm)

World War II trench art dual ink well standish width 28.5 cm

A sterling silver standish, well decorated with foliate…

Foliate Sterling Silver Standish with Ink Bottles

A sterling silver standish, well decorated with foliate openwork, raised on scroll feet, including two ink bottles, one lid hinged detached, C. S. Harris & Sons Ltd, London 1904. Weight base 731g. Length base 26 cm.

Good Elkington silver plate inkstand standish embossed…

Elkington Silver Plate Inkstand with Embossed Decoration

Good Elkington silver plate inkstand standish embossed decoration, with 2 silver plate lidded inkwells, and central classic decoration, marked to base, circa 1860, some wear to plate, length 30 cm.

Chrome and crystal desk standish. Length 28 cm

Chrome and Crystal Desk Standish (already provided in the prompt)

Chrome and crystal desk standish. Length 28 cm

Victorian hallmarked sterling silver mounted desk standish,…

Victorian Silver Desk Standish with Glass Insert

Victorian hallmarked sterling silver mounted desk standish, 1895 London. By Andrew Barrett & Sons. Ebonised base with Schafers patent glass insert, 18 x 18 cm.

A Victorian brass standish, the elaborate stand decorated with…

Victorian Brass Standish with Bearded Face and Inkwells

A Victorian brass standish, the elaborate stand decorated with a bearded face, scrolls and flowering tendrils, pen rest and two inkwells, raised on three scrolling feet. 43 x 22 x 14 cm.

Vintage silver plate decorative pen & ink stand decorated…

Vintage Silver Plate Deer Pen & Ink Stand

Vintage silver plate decorative pen & ink stand decorated standish with standing deer figure, with pen brackets, and two ink wells with blue glass liners, marked Jd, James Dixon, to base, length 17 cm.

Magnificent Victorian sterling silver standish, hallmarked…

Victorian Sterling Silver Standish with Crystal Inkwells

Magnificent Victorian sterling silver standish, hallmarked London, 1848, Edward, John & William Barnard, of rectangular form with twin shell handles and cast acanthus, c-scroll and floral rim, engraved with central crest and 'Aufrichtigkeit' meaning…

Lovely 19th century English porcelain standish, in rococo taste,…

Antique English Porcelain Standish with Rococo Design

Lovely 19th century English porcelain standish, in rococo taste, set with three lidded pots on large stand with pen wells, decorated with reserves of birds and flowers, surrounded by an apple green ground, accented with gilt acanthus scrolls, length 28 cm

Vintage ceramic & brass desk standish including pair ceramic…

Ceramic & Brass Desk Set with Candle Holders

Vintage ceramic & brass desk standish including pair ceramic inkwells, on decorative brass base, together with pair matching brass and ceramic candle holders.

Victorian ebonised wood & brass desk set wood standish with 2…

Victorian Ebonised Desk Set with Inkwells and Knives

Victorian ebonised wood & brass desk set wood standish with 2 inkwells, 1 missing a cap, monogrammed with date 1899, brass corner mounts, 1 drawer below, enclosing 2 vintage pocket knives.

A late 19th/early 20th century desk standish, the two curling…

Silver Plate Ram's Horn Desk Standish with Stag Stand

A late 19th/early 20th century desk standish, the two curling ram's horns with silver plate engraved ends, the central silver plate ink wells with matching engraving, the central stand in the form of a stag, with presentation engraving, requires some…

A 19th century brass standish, with cast frame supporting a…

Brass 19th Century Inkwell Standish

A 19th century brass standish, with cast frame supporting a section mounted for inkwells and ponce pot (absent), width 34 cm.

Victorian coromandel desk standish brass decoration to lid of…

Victorian Coromandel Desk Standish with Ink Wells and Drawer

Victorian coromandel desk standish brass decoration to lid of domed letter rack, with internal divisions, three silver plate topped ink wells, to space for pens, one drawer below, height 23 cm, width 32 cm

Antique hand carved ebony standish surmounted with elephants,…

Ebony Elephant Standish with Ink Wells and Watch Holder

Antique hand carved ebony standish surmounted with elephants, ink wells, stamp holder and pocket watch holder, 26 cm, length, 18 cm, depth approx

An Anglo-Indian ebony desk standish, drawer to the front, the…

Anglo-Indian Ebony Desk Standish

An Anglo-Indian ebony desk standish, drawer to the front, the top with various compartments for office accessories. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection. 36 cm x 26 cm.

Rare William IV Sheffield plate standish with pair crystal ink…

William IV Sheffield Plate Standish with Crystal Ink Bottles

Rare William IV Sheffield plate standish with pair crystal ink bottles, and central candle holder, with snuffer, on footed stand, with embossed decoration, (length 25 cm approx).

Antique French champleve enamel standish with ornate Medici…

French Champleve Enamel Standish with Medici Crest and Inkwells

Antique French champleve enamel standish with ornate Medici crest, fitted inkwells, and pen rest, width 37 cm X depth18 cm X height 19 cm (one lid with detached hinge)

HMAS Sydney ( World War I) wooden Standish with enamel emblem…

HMAS Sydney Wooden Standish with Enamel Emblem

HMAS Sydney ( World War I) wooden Standish with enamel emblem 'Wood From HMAS Sydney.',length 39 cm Made from deck timber salvaged from the ship prior to being broken up in 1928.

A Regency rosewood standish, two ink bottles, pounce pot and…

Regency Rosewood Standish with Ink Bottles and Drawer

A Regency rosewood standish, two ink bottles, pounce pot and drawer to the front, two depressions for pens. Width 28 cm, depth 21.5 cm, height 5 cm.

Vintage silver plated desk Standish, including 2 silver plate…

Silver Plated Desk Standish with Ink Wells and Pen Rack

Vintage silver plated desk Standish, including 2 silver plate lidded crystal ink wells, & pen rack, on fitted silver plate stand, with 4 bun feet. Length 21 cm

Good Victorian sterling silver desk or standish, with shaped…

Victorian Sterling Silver Desk Standish with Crystal Ink Bottles

Good Victorian sterling silver desk or standish, with shaped rectangular stand with scroll & vine leaf border, raised on small feet, the centre container with textured finish cover & two facted crystal ink bottles with matching covers, all marked London…

Antique timber standish, on 4 timber feet and with two large…

Antique Timber Standish with Glass Ink Wells and Drawer

Antique timber standish, on 4 timber feet and with two large glass ink wells and one drawer, 42 cm wide, 28.5 cm deep and 21 cm high

Vintage carved wood bear standish, bear's head (marked Rigi)…

Carved Wood Bear Standish with Inkwell

Vintage carved wood bear standish, bear's head (marked Rigi) opens to inkwell, with trough to standish which includes of ebonised ferule.

William IV sterling silver standish, base hallmarked London…

William IV Sterling Silver Standish (1831)

William IV sterling silver standish, base hallmarked London 1831, 496g (base) approx., other components with various other hallmarks, 17 cm x 27 cm

A Victorian silver ink standish, with pierced oval boat shaped…

Victorian Silver Ink Standish with Crystal Ink Bottles

A Victorian silver ink standish, with pierced oval boat shaped tray raised on claw feet, mounted with a central taper stand flanked by cut crystal ink bottles with high domed, hinged lids. Birmingham 1861. Width 29 cm

Antique writing standish & letter opener, 25 cm long

Antique Writing Set - Standish & Letter Opener

Antique writing standish & letter opener, 25 cm long

Antique timber standish, with lift lid opening to letter filing…

Antique Timber Standish with Brass Fittings

Antique timber standish, with lift lid opening to letter filing compartment, brass fittings and original inkwells

Antique ormolu standish, with pottery ink wells, 30 cm wide

Ormolu Standish with Pottery Ink Wells (9 words)

Antique ormolu standish, with pottery ink wells, 30 cm wide

Early ormolu & glass standish. Central lidded ink well (with…

Ormolu and Glass Ink Standish with Lid

Early ormolu & glass standish. Central lidded ink well (with glass insert), on blue glass base, gilt decoration. OrmOlu framed, dual handled.

A George III silver standish Inkstand by Robert Hennell I,…

George III Silver Inkstand & Skewer, London 1787/1781

A George III silver standish Inkstand by Robert Hennell I, London 1787 & silver skewer by William Eley William Fearn, London 1781, of rectangular form with canted corners and wells, the octagonal bottles with silver mounts, 26 cm width

Early pietra dura standish, & crystal inkwell. Black marble,…

Pietra Dura Standish and Crystal Inkwell Set

Early pietra dura standish, & crystal inkwell. Black marble, inset with blossoms & butterfly decoration. Crystal inkwell with gilded binding (May not be original). Length 39 cm. Diameter 26 cm (standish)

Victorian standish mahogany platform holding white metal pen…

Victorian Hunting Scene Desk Set

Victorian standish mahogany platform holding white metal pen stand & two ink pots, the lids hand painted with hunting & coaching scenes with desk crucifix

Georgian ebonised standish

Ebonised Georgian Standish

Georgian ebonised standish

Lucerne Switzerland lion standish. Early wood carved, with…

Wooden Lion Music Box from Lucerne

Lucerne Switzerland lion standish. Early wood carved, with recumbent lion. Music box enclosed. Key available. Operational. Estate late Douglas Osborne Hawke. Height 12 cm

A silver plated ink standish with deer mounts, marked JD

Silver Ink Standish with Deer Mounts by JD

A silver plated ink standish with deer mounts, marked JD

Sterling silver standish., 336 g approx. Hallmarked London 1899.

London 1899 Hallmarked Sterling Silver Standish, 336g

Sterling silver standish., 336 g approx. Hallmarked London 1899.

Rare William IV Sheffield plate standish, c:1835

William IV Sheffield Plate Standish (c.1835)

Rare William IV Sheffield plate standish, c:1835

Victorian brass standish boat shape of three sections with…

Victorian Brass Boat-Shaped Standish with Serpent Handles and Stag Cover

Victorian brass standish boat shape of three sections with serpent handles and supports, the cover of a stag 30 cm length

A nineteenth century bronze desk standish, with two ink wells…

Bronze Desk Standish with Filigree Border and Ink Wells

A nineteenth century bronze desk standish, with two ink wells and filigree border. 23.6 x 13 cm

Early brass standish. 2 lidded inkwells on stand. Length 43 cm

Brass Standish with 2 Lidded Inkwells on Stand

Early brass standish. 2 lidded inkwells on stand. Length 43 cm

An 18th century silver standish, rectangular, with gadrooned…

18th Century Silver Standish with Rosewood Base

An 18th century silver standish, rectangular, with gadrooned rim and saw-pierced sides, rosewood base with claw and ball feet; R.H. Width 16 cm.

A late-Victorian nickel-silver standish, centred by a…

Late-Victorian Nickel-Silver Standish with Etched Glass Inkwells

A late-Victorian nickel-silver standish, centred by a compartment with classical figure flanked by etched glass inkwells. Height 32 cm. Width 42 cm