Cast Metal Owl Inkstand

This brass plated cast iron inkstand, made by H.L. Judd Manufacturing Co. of Connecticut, features an owl’s face on the lid of the inkwell. The four corners of the base depict owls with wings spread.

This owl inkstand is part of a larger desk set which includes an expandable book rack, letter holder, spiked receipt holder, letter opener, rocker blotter, and blotter corners.

One can regularly find this owl-themed inkwell for sale online. Sadly, many of these are current-day reproductions. Here, as just one example, is a link to a company selling the reproductions: 6″ Antiqued Brass Owl Inkwell Stand with Glass Inkwell – Schooner Bay Company This company makes it clear that they are selling a reproduction.  The reproductions are of decent quality. Unscrupulous (or perhaps unknowledgeable) sellers describe the reproduction as antique.

So – Buyer Be Aware!

If you are buying in person, you can assess the quality of the casting. For genuine antique versions, looking at the model number is key. If the underside of the base is impressed with model number 4411, the inkstand is a genuine H.L. Judd production. Three examples of the antique version are pictured here.

Catalog Listing: Model No. 4411

In H.L. Judd’s “Art Metal Goods” catalogs (circa 1885–1895), this item would typically be listed under “Fine Cast Brass and Bronze Desk Appointments.”

• Model Number: 4411 (Impressed on the underside of the base).
• Description: “Small Square Owl Inkstand.” This model features a heavy, ornate foliate base with scrolled corners and a central square well. The hinged lid is cast with a high-relief “Great Horned Owl” face, a classic motif of the Aesthetic Movement.
• Inventory Consistency: The number 4411 was the consistent identifier for this specific combination of the “Small Owl” lid and the foliate “Scroll” base. While Judd occasionally updated model numbers for different finishes, 4411 remained the standard for this casting in brass and bronze-plated iron.
• Original Components:
  • The Lid: A detailed hexagonal or circular lid featuring a realistic owl face with recessed eye sockets.
  • The Reservoir: A square-based clear glass well with a wide rim to accommodate the hinged metal top.
  • The Base: A 4.5″ to 5″ square cast-metal frame with intricate Victorian scrollwork.

Historical Note on H.L. Judd Co.

The H.L. Judd Company, established in New Britain, Connecticut, became world-renowned for their “Japanese Bronze” finish—a unique copper-washed lacquer that was chemically treated to achieve a dark, multi-tonal antique look. This owl inkstand was one of their most popular small desk items, often paired with matching letter racks or pen trays.

Timeline of Production

• Company Context: The H.L. Judd Manufacturing Company transitioned into producing highly decorative “art metal goods”—like this owl inkwell—after its move and expansion in the late 1870s.
• Catalog Debut: The specific 4411 inventory number appears in Judd’s specialized trade catalogs for “Desk Appointments” published between 1883 and 1887.
• Design Influence: The high-relief owl face and the ornate foliate base are quintessential elements of the Aesthetic Movement, which reached its peak in American decorative arts during the mid-1880s.

Production Longevity

• Continued Manufacture: This particular model proved so popular that it remained a staple in Judd catalogs throughout the 1890s and into the very early 1900s.
• Inventory Numbers: The number 4411 was the consistent identifier for this casting combination for over two decades of production.