Desk stands are something of an anachronism today. They certainly look nice, but since the days of ink wells is long in the past, they really don't serve much function. In addition they are rather rare among majolica manufacturers. There are a few truly outstanding examples from the English potteries as well as some rather less elaborate ones among Continental majolica manufacturers.
Minton majolica dog desk stand
The majolica desk stands most commonly found today are simple ink wells most often disguised as an apple or a pear on a plate. These are sometimes sold with the fruit missing.
Many of these are of continental origin though from the examples I've seen I suspect that they were made in Great Britain as well.
George Jones desk stand
George Jones desk stand with the wells revealed
Brown-Westhead Moore desk stand
George Jones desk stand, also made as a jewelry box
Minton monkey and pineapple desk stand
Minton majolica mussel coral ink stand
Minton lemon desk stand also made as a preserves server
Original production drawing from the Minton Archives of the lemon inkstand
Unattributed elephant desk stand
Wedgwood majolica Egyptian desk stand
Many of these are of continental origin though from the examples I've seen I suspect that they were made in Great Britain as well.
Registered English eagle majolica desk stand, Rd 319416
Unattributed ink stand with the well hidden by the removable apple
Identical to the stand above but with a removable pear
Most desk stands of Continental origin are made in France though some were made in other countries as well. These pieces have very limited appeal to most collectors irregardless of their size and complexity and consequently sell inexpensively.
Cats riding penny-farthings desk stand
Choisy-le-Roi frog and bird desk stand
Choisy-le-Roi desk stand with removable swan cover
Choisy-le-Roi baroque desk stand
Mullen & Leendertz majolica ink stand
Crocodile riding a bicycle desk stand
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