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Polished Brass Islamic Moorish Style Desk Inkwells Set
Polished Brass Islamic Moorish Style Desk Inkwells Set

Polished Brass Islamic Moorish Style Desk Inkwells Set

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

inlaid brush and inkwell holder and ink blotter rocker, features a wood base with ornate top and knob

Category

19th Century Lebanese Moorish Antique Blotter

Materials

Brass

"Danger Signal" Original Oil by Robert Atkinson Fox
"Danger Signal" Original Oil by Robert Atkinson Fox

"Danger Signal" Original Oil by Robert Atkinson Fox

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

. His worked appeared as art prints, calendars, advertising pieces, ink blotters, candy, handkerchief

Category

1920s American Antique Blotter

Materials

Paint

Grand Antique English Olivewood Writing Box / Cabinet, circa 1890
Grand Antique English Olivewood Writing Box / Cabinet, circa 1890

Grand Antique English Olivewood Writing Box / Cabinet, circa 1890

Located in Bath, GB

contains a leather portfolio / blotter. The fall-front opens once more revealing the pristine writing

Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Blotter

Materials

Olive

Asprey Desk Set and Document Holder, English, circa 1875
Asprey Desk Set and Document Holder, English, circa 1875

Asprey Desk Set and Document Holder, English, circa 1875

By Asprey International Limited

Located in Incline Village, NV

as part of the desk set is a hinged, fold over, double sided document holder with a blotter lined

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Blotter

Materials

Brass

Rene Lalique Mures Stationary blotter C1920
Rene Lalique Mures Stationary blotter C1920

Rene Lalique Mures Stationary blotter C1920

By René Lalique

Located in Devon, GB

Rene Lalique Mures design rocker blotter Clear and frosted glass with a slight mauve stain The

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique Blotter

Materials

Glass

Bronze English Inkwell Set with Rocking Blotter
Bronze English Inkwell Set with Rocking Blotter

Bronze English Inkwell Set with Rocking Blotter

Located in Cookeville, TN

We are featuring an ornate Victorian inkwell with a rocking blotter. The details on the cast bronze

Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Pine Needle Blotter Ends by Tiffany Studios
Pine Needle Blotter Ends by Tiffany Studios

Pine Needle Blotter Ends by Tiffany Studios

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Bronze pine needles make these blotter ends in Tiffany Studios' most popular pattern exquisite

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Rene Lalique Feuilles D'artichaut stationary rocker blotter C1920
Rene Lalique Feuilles D'artichaut stationary rocker blotter C1920

Rene Lalique Feuilles D'artichaut stationary rocker blotter C1920

By René Lalique

Located in Devon, GB

Rene Lalique Feuilles D'artichaut stationary rocker blotter highlighted with blue/green staining

Category

1920s French Art Deco Antique Blotter

Materials

Glass

20th Century Swedish Silver Plated Polar Bear Rocker Blotter
20th Century Swedish Silver Plated Polar Bear Rocker Blotter

20th Century Swedish Silver Plated Polar Bear Rocker Blotter

Located in Umberleigh, Devon

A gorgeous Swedish silver plated rocker blotter with embossed decoration and nicely modelled figure

Category

1920s Swedish Antique Blotter

Materials

Silver Plate

French Art Deco Metal and Enamel Blotter Attributed to Jean Dunand
French Art Deco Metal and Enamel Blotter Attributed to Jean Dunand

French Art Deco Metal and Enamel Blotter Attributed to Jean Dunand

By Jean Dunand

Located in New York, NY

Metal with enamel in geometric design. Triangles and rectangles in black and red enamel with silver metal outlining.

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Blotter

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Art Deco Brass Table Lamp and Writing Set with Ink Well and Blotter Rocker
Art Deco Brass Table Lamp and Writing Set with Ink Well and Blotter Rocker

Art Deco Brass Table Lamp and Writing Set with Ink Well and Blotter Rocker

Located in Vienna, AT

This lot is a complete desk set. Beside the table lamp it consists of a pen tray, a blotter rocker

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Blotter

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Set "Zodiac" Pattern
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Set "Zodiac" Pattern

Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Set "Zodiac" Pattern

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Austin, TX

HAIR BRUSH, 1 MATCHBOOK HOLDER, 1 ASHTRAY, 1 STAMP BOX, 1 CALENDAR FRAME, 1 ROCKING BLOTTER, 4 BLOTTER

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau 7 Piece Desk Set by Heintz-Sterling, Copper, Bronze with Provenance
Art Nouveau 7 Piece Desk Set by Heintz-Sterling, Copper, Bronze with Provenance

Art Nouveau 7 Piece Desk Set by Heintz-Sterling, Copper, Bronze with Provenance

By Heintz Art Metal Shop

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

. Sterling Silver on Bronze & Copper.-set consists of:blotter, blotter roller pad, paper clip holder, ink

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Sterling Silver

Tiffany Studios Desk Set, Pine needle
Tiffany Studios Desk Set, Pine needle

Tiffany Studios Desk Set, Pine needle

By Tiffany Studios

Located in New York, NY

Tiffany Studios Desk Set, gold bronze dore, consisting of 4 blotter corners #997, 2 blotter ends

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Green Leather Bound Writing Box Blottter Cameo Gilded
19th Century Green Leather Bound Writing Box Blottter Cameo Gilded

19th Century Green Leather Bound Writing Box Blottter Cameo Gilded

Located in Brighton, GB

A Victoria green leather bound writing box and blotter Each with five mounted cameos mounted

Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Blotter

Materials

Leather

Leather Tortoiseshell Sterling Silver Desk Set London 1915
Leather Tortoiseshell Sterling Silver Desk Set London 1915

Leather Tortoiseshell Sterling Silver Desk Set London 1915

Located in Bologna, IT

The set is comprised of a blotter and letter box in leather, tortoiseshell and sterling silver. The

Category

20th Century British Edwardian Antique Blotter

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany Studios Bronze American Indian Desk Set
Tiffany Studios Bronze American Indian Desk Set

Tiffany Studios Bronze American Indian Desk Set

By Tiffany Studios

Located in Austin, TX

THE "AMERICAN INDIAN" PATTERN, MARKED UNDERFOOT, INCLUDING: (2) BLOTTER ENDS, NUMBERED 1181, APPROX

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Desk Set, 10 pieces, Zodiac
Tiffany Desk Set, 10 pieces, Zodiac

Tiffany Desk Set, 10 pieces, Zodiac

Unavailable|$4,500 / set

Tiffany Desk Set, 10 pieces, Zodiac

By Tiffany Studios

Located in New York, NY

Inkwell with glass liner, Rocker blotter, large desk blotter ends, pen tray, desk calendar holder, all

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Blotter

Louis XV Rosewood and Ormolu Inkwell
Louis XV Rosewood and Ormolu Inkwell

Louis XV Rosewood and Ormolu Inkwell

Located in Paris, FR

Inkwell in rosewood, ormolu and brass with a penholder and a blotter compartment. French work

Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Blotter

Gilt Bronze Desk Set By Albert Marionnet

Gilt Bronze Desk Set By Albert Marionnet

By Albert Marionnet

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

Very heavy, gilt bronze letter holder, blotter, and vide-poches inkwell by Albert Marionnet (1852

Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Edwardian Satinwood and Marquetry Traveling Desk Compendium and Stand
Edwardian Satinwood and Marquetry Traveling Desk Compendium and Stand

Edwardian Satinwood and Marquetry Traveling Desk Compendium and Stand

Located in Pawleys Island, SC

accountant or secretary might need. This includes inkwells, writing implements, ink blotter and leather bound

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Blotter

Materials

Satinwood

Inkwell
Inkwell

Inkwell

Unavailable|$810

Inkwell

Located in Denver, CO

wax seal marked B, hinged double compartment for stamps, self-contained blotter. A unique, ornamental

Category

19th Century French Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th century French Desk set with beautifull Inkwell.
Late 19th century French Desk set with beautifull Inkwell.

Late 19th century French Desk set with beautifull Inkwell.

Located in Paris, FR

Late 19th century French desk set with an inkwell, a letter holder and a blotter. Mahogany with

Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Blotter

Wiener Werkstatte Bronze Desk Set Designed by Dagobert Peche
Wiener Werkstatte Bronze Desk Set Designed by Dagobert Peche

Wiener Werkstatte Bronze Desk Set Designed by Dagobert Peche

By Wiener Werkstätte

Located in London, GB

, blotter and Paper Knife designed by Dagobert Peche for the Wiener Werkstatte. Size stated is for that of

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Gustav Gurschner Art Nouveau Desk Set circa 1900
Gustav Gurschner Art Nouveau Desk Set circa 1900

Gustav Gurschner Art Nouveau Desk Set circa 1900

By Gustave Gurschner

Located in Vienna, AT

30.5 cm (ink jar missing) dip pen: H 12.5 cm rocker blotter: H 5.5 cm, W 14.5 cm

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Heintz Art Metal Golf Scenic Cigar Humidor
Heintz Art Metal Golf Scenic Cigar Humidor

Heintz Art Metal Golf Scenic Cigar Humidor

By Heintz Art Metal Shop

Located in Brooklyn, NY

humidor. Lid has integral recess with screen to hold moisture-containing medium such as blotter paper

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Blotter

Writing Desk used by Charles Dickens, circa 1800
Writing Desk used by Charles Dickens, circa 1800

Writing Desk used by Charles Dickens, circa 1800

Located in Dorking, GB

as a pot of ink, quills and a blotter. It may also have supported a candlestick. The measurements of

Category

Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Blotter

Materials

Mahogany

Superb Quality Five-Piece Gilt Metal Writing Set in the Empire Style
Superb Quality Five-Piece Gilt Metal Writing Set in the Empire Style

Superb Quality Five-Piece Gilt Metal Writing Set in the Empire Style

Located in Suffolk, GB

in original case. This highly decorative set consists of a glass inkwell, blotter, wax seal

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Antique Blotter

Materials

Metal

Roycroft Desk Set
Roycroft Desk Set

Roycroft Desk Set

Unavailable|$1,250 / set

Roycroft Desk Set

By Roycroft

Located in Woodstock, NY

design at its best. Complete with pen holder, letter opener, stamp roller, blotter corners, desk box, and

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Brass

Bronze and Black Marble Writing Set, Model by Nikolai Iwanowitsch Lieberich
Bronze and Black Marble Writing Set, Model by Nikolai Iwanowitsch Lieberich

Bronze and Black Marble Writing Set, Model by Nikolai Iwanowitsch Lieberich

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

desk-top blotter, a card holder, an inkwell and a pen holder. The bears are models by the Russian

Category

Late 19th Century European Belle Époque Antique Blotter

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

George Eliot's Writing Table
George Eliot's Writing Table

George Eliot's Writing Table

Unavailable|$17,383

George Eliot's Writing Table

Located in Dorking, GB

for inkpots, pens and a blotter and the other could have held notes or possibly a small tray for

Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Blotter

Materials

Walnut

Walnut Secretaire Campaign Chest
Walnut Secretaire Campaign Chest

Walnut Secretaire Campaign Chest

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

. The secretaire has a long drawer above a space to fit a blotter or papers. Above the long drawer are

Category

Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Blotter

Materials

Burl, Walnut

Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners With Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners With Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners With Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze "Grapevine" blotter corners, with a

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Rocker Blotter and Blotter Ends
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Rocker Blotter and Blotter Ends

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Rocker Blotter and Blotter Ends

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Art Nouveau bronze desk set. The three-piece set includes: rocker ink blotter and ink

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter corners featuring symbols of

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

William Comyns Sterling Blotter
William Comyns Sterling Blotter

William Comyns Sterling Blotter

By William Comyns & Sons 1

Located in New York, NY

Rare preserved Victorian WILLIAM COMYNS silver and leather desk blotter. Navy blue leather folder

Category

19th Century English Antique Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco period bronze blotter ends featuring Adam style or Neoclassical style

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring Adam style

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends in the Venetian

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter corners featuring symbols of

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends in the "Venetian

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Edward VII Silver Mounted Desk Blotter
Edward VII Silver Mounted Desk Blotter

Edward VII Silver Mounted Desk Blotter

By Brook & Son, Edinburgh 1

Located in New York, NY

Bearing the mark of "Brook & Son, Edinburgh, 1908," this Edward VII silver mounted desk blotter is

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Blotter

Materials

Silver

Vintage Art Deco Blotter (1920s/1930s) -1Y03
Vintage Art Deco Blotter (1920s/1930s) -1Y03

Vintage Art Deco Blotter (1920s/1930s) -1Y03

Located in Bordeaux, FR

Step back in time with this exquisite vintage Art Deco blotter from the 1920s/1930s. This piece

Category

1920s French Empire Antique Blotter

Materials

Chrome

Antique Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter - Birmingham 1913
Antique Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter - Birmingham 1913

Antique Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter - Birmingham 1913

By Deakin & Francis

Located in London, London

Blotter, is plain in design. The rocker blotter measures 2.5"(6.5cm) tall, by 5.5"(14cm) wide, by 2.75

Category

1910s English Antique Blotter

Materials

Sterling Silver

Edwardian Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Blotter Pad Notebook
Edwardian Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Blotter Pad Notebook

Edwardian Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Blotter Pad Notebook

Located in Altrincham, GB

Edwardian Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Blotter Pad Notebook/Scrapbook - 8.5"w x 11"h

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Blotter

Materials

Mahogany

French Folk Art Ink Blotter, 19th Century
French Folk Art Ink Blotter, 19th Century

French Folk Art Ink Blotter, 19th Century

Located in Doylestown, PA

French "Art Populaire" sculptural ink blotter, depicting two spotted horses standing on a barrel

Category

Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Antique Blotter

Materials

Wood

Large Red Leather Desk Blotter, 18th Century
Large Red Leather Desk Blotter, 18th Century

Large Red Leather Desk Blotter, 18th Century

Located in Doylestown, PA

A large size red leather desk blotter from the Louis XV period France, circa 1770, created from the

Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Blotter

Materials

Leather

Art Nouveau Desk Blotter with Embossed Brass Decoration
Art Nouveau Desk Blotter with Embossed Brass Decoration

Art Nouveau Desk Blotter with Embossed Brass Decoration

Located in Marbella, ES

Art Nouveau desk Blotter with embossed brass decoration.

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Antique Blotter

Materials

Brass

A Magnificent Monumental Austrian Bronze  Inkwell & Blotter Set.
A Magnificent Monumental Austrian Bronze  Inkwell & Blotter Set.

A Magnificent Monumental Austrian Bronze Inkwell & Blotter Set.

Located in Bellport, NY

Signed Austrian Bronze Sculptured Grouse Inkwell and Blotter Set,by Friedrich Gornik, Austria, 1877

Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Blotter
Pair of Antique Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Blotter

Pair of Antique Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in San Diego, CA

Pair of antique, bronze, Tiffany Studios desk blotters signed and stamped "998". Good

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

Unusual Antique Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Blotter
Unusual Antique Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Blotter

Unusual Antique Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Blotter

Located in Suffolk, GB

This is an unusual antique carved 19th century antique black forest bear desk blotter which is a

Category

19th Century English Antique Blotter

Materials

Wood

Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners

Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze "Grapevine" blotter corners By

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Blotter

Materials

Bronze

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Antique Blotter For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the antique blotter you’re looking for. Frequently made of metal, bronze and silver, every antique blotter was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the antique blotter you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each antique blotter bearing Art Nouveau, Victorian or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one antique blotter that is appealing in its simplicity, but Tiffany Studios, Asprey International Limited and Levi & Salaman produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Antique Blotter?

Prices for an antique blotter start at $150 and top out at $6,450 with the average selling for $950.

Finding the Right Desk-accessories for You

Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.

Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.

Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.

As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.

Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).

Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.

The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.

Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.