Modern Desk Sets
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
1
130
41
2
to
16
109
25
173
90
158
210
184
173
90
68
47
14
13
11
10
9
8
7
7
5
5
3
2
41
132
1
5
24
1
1
2
10
6
4
Height
to
Width
to
72
47
47
37
23
126
85
17
17
16
24
18
17
17
15
Style: Modern
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Pink Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
Zhuang Desk, Working Pad in Saddle Leather Tortora Colour
Located in New York, NY
The working pad, part of the collection The Objects - Zhuang Desk designed by Neri & Hu for Poltrona Frau is made from a double layer of Tortora-coloured saddle-leather. When open it can be used to work on with a laptop, also extending far enough to be used as a mouse pad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Green Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #4 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
In Japan, shagreen was documented and preserved since started appearing on sword hilts and armor of Samurai during the Middle Ages, in part because its text...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Knotted Tray Set André Fu Living Desk Office Home Accessories Modern PU New
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Double tray set
Color: Grey
Size of big tray: 55.2 x 35 x 5.8 H cm
Size of small tray: 38.8 x 16 x 2 H cm
Material: PU
Collection: Knotted.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Faux Leather
Scissor, Letter Opener, Leather Desk Set
Located in Denton, TX
Gold leaf design on bankers green leather holder with nickel plated letter opener and D shaped handle forged scissors.
Category
20th Century North American Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Steel
Knotted Photo Frame 5R André Fu Living Desk Office Home Accessories Modern PU
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Photo frame in premium leather and wood 5R
Color: Grey
Size: 20.5 x 6.5 x 18.5 H cm
Material: Premium leather and wood
Collection: Knotted.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood, Faux Leather
Ghidini 1961 Omini Pen and Cards Tray in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencils tray in brass
Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
21st Century Concrete Cement Mirror Tray Centrepiece Handmade in White Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
Essenze Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener Set by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant letter opener set having a sophisticated handle made of erica, the precious wood used to make luxury pipes, combined with an elegant and decorative element made of ebony wood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Medium André Fu Living Accessories Modern New
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set.
Hand stitched calf leather.
Also, available in a larger size tray set of two, size 55 x 35 x 5.8 H cm.
Larger quantities available upon reque...
Category
2010s Thai Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather, Wood
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Blue Grey Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
21st Century Concrete Cement Renzo Tray Centrepiece Handmade Perla White Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Large André Fu Living Accessories Modern New
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set.
Hand stitched calf leather.
Also, available in a smaller size tray set of two, size 36.2 x 24.7 x 5.8 H cm.
Larger quantities available u...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #2 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant and masculine are the hallmarks of this Fine desk accessories set that combines contemporary design with the precious galuchat leather gri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Thin Book Ends in Contemporary Bronze and Steel in various Patinas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Thin bookends explore a miniature variation of Kin & Company’s iconic Thin Chair. Beautifully paired with books, plants, or small accessories, the Thin ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass, Steel
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #5 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Europe began importing shagreen-covered objects during 17th and 18th centuries in the mid-1700s, a tanner in Paris became the first European expert, Monsieur Galluchat. Louis XV's mo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Galucharme Table Watch by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Design Center 1991 is high quality brand, focused in luxury Italian Design home and office accessories. Unique pieces and small series are conceived as self-contained units that comm...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #1 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
From Galucharme collection in coffee chromatic color, this is a very special and high-class desk gift set, consisting of a pen-holder, a letter-opener and a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Perla WhiteColor
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
21st Century Renzo Set Concrete Tray 100% Handmade in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Concrete
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #3 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
There are a lot of tales about Shageen. Supposedly, it was prized since the time of the pharaohs, and during the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 220). It was also used in the constr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Essenze Desk Accessories Set by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
This sophisticated desk accessories set, from Essenze Collection, is made of brier from Erica, the precious wood also used to make luxury pipes. T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Galucharme Letter Opener and Ruler Set by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
From Galucharme Collection, this is a special desk gift and lovely to look at. The decorative and fashinating leather, with a myriad of pearl-like granules, is covered in shagreen en...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Small White Happy Yeti Ceramic Flower Vase by Jaime Hayon, contemporary design
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic vase in white with decorations in black.
Small:
24 x 10 x h.34 cm
9,4 x 3,9 x h.13,4 inch
"From when I was little, I always found the Yeti story funny - that snow monster that wants to frighten those that go to the north pole. Converted into a vase, you can put plants in the head so that it looks like it has hair and scares a little more. The little decorations, not only have a decorative purpose, but also can have artistic value and an emotional one where a sense of humour fits in." Jaime Hayon.
Glazed ceramic vase in white with decorations in black.
A ceramic collection which carries Jaime Hayon’s unmistakable character and humour, the Happy Yeti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Ghidini 1961 Omini Tape Mate in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Scotch holder in brass
Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Large White Happy Yeti Ceramic Flower Vase by Jaime Hayon, contemporary design
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic vase in white with decorations in black.
Large:
33 x 14 x h.47 cm
13 x 5,5 x h.18,5 inch
"From when I was little, I always found the Yeti story funny - that snow monster that wants to frighten those that go to the north pole. Converted into a vase, you can put plants in the head so that it looks like it has hair and scares a little more. The little decorations, not only have a decorative purpose, but also can have artistic value and an emotional one where a sense of humour fits in." Jaime Hayon.
Glazed ceramic vase in white with decorations in black.
A ceramic collection which carries Jaime Hayon’s unmistakable character and humour, the Happy Yeti...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Desk Accessories Faux Shagreen Sharkor Ray Skin Pen Pot & Desk Tidy
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of desk accessories in Faux Shargeen shark skin
A very good looking and well made pair, ideally suited as a letter rack and pen pot...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Fabric
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Desk Trays Set in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. Dimensions for trays: 35.4 x 23 x 2H cm; 23.5 x 7.5 x 2H cm; 12.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencil holder in stainless steel
When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Stainless Steel
Modern Desk Set of Pewter for Letters and Visit Cards by Jean Goardere
By Jean Goardere
Located in Weiningen, CH
Modern desk set of pewter for letters and visit cards by Jean Goardere
Measures: 26 x 20 cm 5 cm
20 x 14 cm 3 cm
11 x 6 cm 3 cm.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Pewter
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pencil holder in stainless steel. When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Hermes Desk Blotter
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stitched maroon leather with gilt bronze posts, circa 1960s. Gold foil stamp on verso.
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 2 Large Cube Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Contemporary Large Blue Happy Susto Ceramic Flower Vase by Jaime Hayon, Spain
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic in white or blue with decorations in white or blue. One side with decoration, the other side without.
A ceramic collection which carries Jaime Hayon’s unmistakable ch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencil holder in stainless steel
When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Stainless Steel
Italian Photo Frame Modern Wood, Humour Pink Wood
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Humour wood is a phot frame of the Italian collection of photo frames
Laura G Art with Heart realized by Italian handcrafts in natural wood.
painted in fuchsia acrylic. It is a very funny and beautiful photo frame
for your images of life. It can be hanged at a wall as well, and you may
create a wonderful wall decorated as designed by an artist.
It is “c'est la vie Art with Heart “ , bring a piece of Italy into your home.
You may simply keep the photo frame on your table, as a
wonderful top photo frame for your photos. Humour pink wood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Squared Small Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tray in brass. Tray in brass. Elegant in living and dining spaces alike, this tray can be used to display objects in the living room and bedroom, store papers in the office or necess...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Polished Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pencil holder in stainless steel. When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Stainless Steel
Austrian Bronze Desk Set Smelter by Heinrich Krippel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian Heroic Smelter Worker 20th century bronze sculpture desk set signed by Heinrich Krippel, 1883-1945.
Note- Ink container is missing..
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Rectangular Small Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tray in brass. Elegant in living and dining spaces alike, this tray can be used to display objects in the living room and bedroom, store papers in the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Agate Onyx and Brass Desk Pen Holder, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A '70s modern brass and onyx/agate desk pen holder. Onyx/agate is a red burgundy hue. Pen is in fine working order.
Picture frame and brass tape dispenser...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Agate, Onyx, Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Squared Small Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tray in copper with a rose gold finish. Tray in brass. Elegant in living and dining spaces alike, this tray can be used to display objects in the living room and bedroom, store paper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Small Blue Happy Susto Ceramic Flower Vase by Jaime Hayon, Contemporary Design
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic in white or blue with decorations in white or blue. One side with decoration, the other side without.
A ceramic collection which carries Jaime Hayon’s unmistakable ch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Rectangular Small Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tray in copper with a rose gold finish. Tray in brass. Elegant in living and dining spaces alike, this tray can be used to display objects in the living room and bedroom, store paper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays Set in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Desk Trays Set in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with rose gold finish. Dimensions for trays: 35.4 x 23 x 2H cm; 23.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm; 12.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 2 Large Cube Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays Set in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 4 Large Parallelepiped Tray Set in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 1 Small Cube Tray in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set of Three Small Parallelepiped Tray Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in polished brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 1 Small Cube Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 3 Small Parallelepiped Tray Set in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 4 Large Parallelepiped Tray Set in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Copper
Modern desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern desk sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Spain pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk sets, popular names associated with this style include Ghidini 1961, Elisa Giovannoni, Valerio Ciampicacigli, and Jaime Hayon. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $57,800 while the average work can sell for $530.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Ink Blotter
Blotter Ends
Inlaid Arts Crafts Desk
Tiffany Gold Tray
Tiffany Blue Desk
Desk Pads Blotters
Rocker Blotter
Tiffany Studios Blotter Ends
Tiffany Zodiac Box
Antique Leather Desk Blotter
Hermes Leather Dupre
Tiffany Desk Set Patterns
Tiffany Studios Letter
Gucci Office Desk
Tiffany Studios Desk Set Patterns
Used Teslas
Antique Desk Tidies
Antique Desk Tidy