Square Brass Inkwell – Marked K&O

This inkstand was made by Kronheim & Oldenbusch, a company renowned for its “art metal” novelties.

Description

This is a square brass inkstand featuring a clean, architectural design with a flared, tiered base. It is equipped with two horizontal pen rests on the front, each capped with a spherical finial. The hinged lid is also square, matching the geometry of the body.

Inside is a square milk glass insert. Square inserts are uncommon; most antique inkwells utilized round inserts because they were easier to manufacture, use, and replace. The inclusion of a fitted square insert suggests a higher level of design intentionality, ensuring the interior vessel perfectly mirrored the exterior “Mission” or “Art Deco” aesthetic.

The K&O Mark and Dating

The mark on the bottom—the letters “K&O” inside a lozenge (diamond) shape—is the signature trademark of Kronheim & Oldenbusch.

• Manufacturing Date: Based on the style and the company’s peak production years, this inkwell was likely made between 1910 and 1925.

About Kronheim & Oldenbusch (K&O)

The Kronheim & Oldenbusch Metal Novelties Company was an American manufacturer based in New York City (later Brooklyn/New Jersey), operating roughly from 1895 to 1939.

• Specialty: They were famous for “white metal” or “spelter” items, often plated in brass, bronze, or silver to give them a high-end look at a more accessible price point.
• Product Line: Beyond inkwells, they are collectible today for their bookends, which featured imaginative figures and Art Deco motifs.
• End of an Era: The company ceased operations just before WWII. Their molds were later sold to the Philadelphia Manufacturing Company, which continued to produce some K&O designs into the mid-20th century, though usually with different markings.