Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories
Located in London, GB
In a time of computers and technology, this antique desk set harks back to a more romantic period when people read letters at their desks by candlelight, and responded to them, writi...
Metal
Edwardian Cock / Barometer/ Thermometer Desk Set
Located in Norwich, GB
Housed in a gilded case standing on a raised, moulded rouge marble base with brass banding surmounted by a decorative gilded carrying handle. The clock to the left with enamel dial, ...
Brass
Early 20th Century French Spelter and Walnut Desk Garniture Set
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a desk or study with this charming antique desk accessory set crafted in France, circa 1920.
Spelter
$1,488Sale Price|25% Off
NAPOLEON III Antique 1870 French Desk Tray Set In Gray Marble And Gilt Ormolu
By Napoléon III
Located in Miami, FL
A Napoleon III desk set in marble and ormolu. This is a beautiful and flamboyant desk tray set created in Paris France during the Napoleon III period, back in late 1860 and 1870.
Marble, Bronze, Gold, Ormolu
Tiffany Studios New York Heraldic Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
Pairs nicely with Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, or Art Nouveau decor. This rare Tiffany desk set features decorative elements inspired by British armorial bearings and heraldry.
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Heraldic Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
Pairs nicely with Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, or Art Nouveau decor. This rare Tiffany desk set features decorative elements inspired by British armorial bearings and heraldry.
Bronze
Grand French Three-Piece Desk Set, Hand Painted Porcelain Inset, circa 1860
Located in Bath, GB
Wonderful to find a top-notch, highly decorative and most unusual desk set, French in origin dating to around 1860.
Brass
Simmons Brushed Steel Sheraton Series Desk Vanity Set
By Simmons Company Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 20th century, Sheraton Series vanity or desk set by Simmons Company Furniture features an upholstered gray vinyl chair seat with gray drawer interior.
Steel
Art Deco Bronze Seal and Ink Tray by Sadoux
Located in New York, NY
A Bronze desk set with "Antico" patina and gold-plated flower decoration from 1925 period: seal, pocket emptier.
Cast Stone
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Eight-Piece Desk
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Pine Needle" gilt bronze and Favrile slag glass desk set. The eight-piece set includes: inkwell, pen brush, letter rack, calen...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Desk Blotter Ends
By Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
Materials: Gilt Bronze, Enamel Signed: Impressed "Tiffany Studios New York" with respective model number Literature: Tiffany Desk Sets by William R. Holland, Atglen, PA: 2008, pp. 19...
Bronze, Enamel
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Nine-Piece Desk
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Pine Needle" gilt bronze and Favrile slag glass desk set. The nine-piece set includes: inkwell, pen brush, letter rack, pen tr...
Bronze
Antique Austrian Geschützt Bronze Flying Owl Double Inkwell and Desk Blotter
Located in Nottingham, GB
A rare and highly decorative antique Vienna bronze desk set, dating to circa 1900 and comprising a double glass inkwell stand together with its complementary bronze desk blotter.
Bronze
Polished Brass Islamic Moorish Style Desk Inkwells Set
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 20th century desk set, rare and great quality Mamluk Cairoware style, silver and copper inlaid brush and inkwell holder and ink blotter rocker, features a wood base with ornate...
Brass
Antique French Neoclassical Revival Style Desk & Chair Set w/Original Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical style desk and chair set, with their original painted finish, from the early 20th century.
Wood
Antique Rosewood Desk Stand Inkwell Set Silver Mounted Writing Stand
Located in Delray Beach, FL
An elegant antique rosewood desk stand featuring three lidded inkwells, silver-mounted decorative accents, and richly figured rosewood with beautifully carved scalloped edging. Raise...
Silver
Napoleon III Period Gilt-Bronze and Crystal Inkwell Set, circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt-bronze and crystal desk set of the Napoleon III period. Composed of two crystal ink wells, a raised pen tray, and a sculptural depiction of a female figure riding a tiger.
Bronze
Victorian Ormolu Clock and Barometer Desk Set, of Maritime or Naval Interest
Located in London, GB
Each in the form of a ship's wheel with 2.5 inch silvered dial, contained in cases, one with seven turned banded agate handles, the other with eight banded agate handles, each on ova...
Agate, Ormolu
Leather desk organiser
Located in MILL, NL
Desk organiser / Letter tray. Fully upholstered in green/brown leather with gold lettering. From France, early 20th century. Perfect for a classic office or desk Dimensions: 38L x...
Leather
A Large Desk Blotter A great piece of desk furniture
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Large Desk Blotter A great piece of desk furniture, the blotter has simulated book spines in gilt and burgundy leather, and it also comes with a Matching Stanley ruler The Blotte...
Leather
$3,246Sale Price / set|20% Off
Carlo Zen Italian Art Nouveau-style desk and chair set
By Carlo Zen
Located in Milano, IT
Italian Art Nouveau set from the early 1900s - Elegant carved wooden desk and chairs with floral inserts and original upholstery by Carlo Zen Rare and elegant Italian desk set datin...
Fabric, Wood
Traveling Desk Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Georgian period traveling desk from circa 1820, crafted in England, features an Italiante metal handle and lock that enhance its functionality and historical charm. The exterior...
Wood
Leather desk organizer 19th century
Located in MILL, NL
French Letter Box Fully covered in leather. Particularly beautiful colour and patina. In very good condition. Originally from France, 19th century. Price: 23H x 25W x 15D
Leather
Impressive Antique Coromandel Desk Stand
Located in Ipswich, GB
Impressive Antique Coromandel and mother of pearl desk stand dating back to the Victorian era. The stationary box opens to reveal a blue interior, infront stands two cut glass silver...
Mother-of-Pearl
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Desk Standish
By Edward Barnard & Sons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine a...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,280 / set
Mid 19thC Coramandel Inkwell Stand/Desk Tidy
Located in Altrincham, GB
Mid 19thC Coramandel Inkwell Stand/Desk Tidy with Mother of Pearl Inlays, Original Ink Bottle all on Bun Feet - 14.5"w x 8.5"d x 2.5"h
Zebra Wood
$1,090 / set
Desk accessories, France, French 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Lovely damascened metal smoking kit composed of a tray with branch-shaped handles and four removable containers. It’s adorned with flowers, red and gilt orientalist pattern friezes. ...
Metal
$556Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Faience Quimper Inkwell Pen Tray, circa 1900
By Henriot Quimper
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming antique French faience Quimper double inkwell and pen tray desk set, circa 1900. This gorgeous inkwell is hand painted with a traditional Breton man surrounded by bagpipes...
Faience
Mid 19th Century campaign camphor metamorphic lap desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare and good quality Chinese export camphor wood writing desk, circa 1860. Brass bound around the outer edges and carrying handles to each side. These desk were made for sea captai...
Brass
Rare 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Book Carrier Desk Stand
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Rare 18th Century Mahogany George III Period Book Carrier, Or Desk Stand Tidy, Having Two Short Drawers And One Long Drawer, Retaining Original Brass Handles And Escutch...
Mahogany
French Art Deco Bronze Lioness/Panther Desk Calendar, 1920
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Desk Calendar with Lioness / Panther – Silverplate Bronze and Marble, France, 1920s. Striking and elegant French Art Deco desk calendar from the 1920s, featuring a s...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Italian Specimen Marble Desk Inkstand with Twin Crystal Inkwells
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A striking Italian antique desk inkstand from the 19th Century inlaid with Florentine Pietra Dura The rectangular stand is framed in black and inset with a geometric mosaic of rich...
Stone, Crystal, Breccia Marble, Specimen Marble, Brass
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Copper Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper blotter corners with brown leather desk blotter By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) US...
Brass, Copper
Walker & Hall Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver and Glass Desk Standish
By Walker & Hall
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver and glass desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent antique...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Desk Calendar Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco bronze desk calendar holder or picture frame featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Blotter Ends Early 20th Century
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of bronze Tiffany Studios "Zodiac" desk pad blotters. Very nice original condition and patina. Signed "Tiffany Studios" Numbered "988". Each measure: 19.38 inched high. 2.19...
Bronze
END OF THE 19th CENTURY ENGLISH TRAVELING WRITING DESK
Located in Firenze, FI
This solid mahogany travel desk is a fine piece of English manufacture from the late 19th century. Made with high quality mahogany wood, it has an elegant and refined appearance. The...
Leather, Wood
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Silver Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period acid silver finished hammered copper blotter ends with a custom blue leather desk blotter By Roycroft (blotter ends signed with i...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York 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 in the "Pine Needle" pattern, with a custom green leather desk blotter.
Bronze
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Blotter Corners With Desk Blotter, Circa 1920s
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper blotter corners with desk blotter By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Circa 1920s...
Brass, Copper
Tiffany Studios New York 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 silvered bronze and abalone blotter corners, with a custom blue leather desk blotter.
Bronze
Burr Elm & Oak Desk Tray from Charlton Park Estate
Located in New Orleans, LA
Burr Elm & Oak Desk Tray from Charlton Park Estate 19th Century This exceptional desk tray exemplifies the finest English craftsmanship of the 19th century, created specifically...
Crystal
Circa 1870s English Gothic Revival Writing Slope Desk Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870s English Gothic Revival writing slope desk box. A letter box is flanked by the original brass collared & hinged inkwells in brass surrounds (the hinges now a bit loose fro...
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Desk Calendar Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze desk calendar holder or picture frame featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios (signed to the back) New Yo...
Bronze
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Brass Finished Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper blotter corners with brown leather desk blotter By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) US...
Brass, Copper
Tiffany Studios Grapevine Bronze Doré Blotter With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze "Grapevine" pattern blotter corners with green leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (each blotter corner signe...
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Zodiac Pattern Bronze Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter corners featuring symbols of the Zodiac, with a custom brown leather desk blotter.
Bronze
Spanish Colonial Inlaid Travel Desk, Wood and Iron, 17th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
Spanish Colonial Inlaid Travel Desk with Bone and Iron Mounts. Features a wooden foundation with wrought iron-mounted hinges and a hand-cut plate. Skeleton Key is included. The piece...
Iron
$1,269Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Naval Architect's Desk Tidy, English, Executive Organiser, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique naval architect's desk tidy. An English, mahogany organiser case, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1870. Of superb proportion at just under 3' long - a spec...
Wood
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine 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 "Grapevine" pattern blotter corners with green leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (blotter corners signed to the ...
Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Brass Desk Calendar with Oak Base
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass and oak rectangular desk calendar.
Brass
English Writing Desk With Mother Of Pearl And Abalone
Located in Dallas, TX
An english wood Writing Desk inlaid with abalone and mother of pearl. The lock is signed by maker in London, England. Circa 1860.
Leather, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Doré Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze "Grapevine" pattern blotter ends with a custom blue leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (each blotter end signed...
Bronze
Antique American Industrial Iron and Maple Childs School Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Industrial Iron and Maple Childs School Writing Desk. Item features ...
Iron
Napoleon III Gutta Percha Desk Accessory Pen Holder, circa 1880
By Travail Francais
Located in Atlanta, GA
An outstanding testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, this exceptional Napoleon III Gutta Percha pen holder was masterfully designed at the end of the 19th Century. The piece was m...
Latex
Early 20th Century Edwardian Double Inkwell with Horseshoe Pen Holder
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 20th century Edwardian double inkwell with horseshoe pen holder This double inkwell desk set has two glass inkwells that sit upon a wooden base with an attached horseshoe that...
Glass, Wood
$2,319Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gentlemen English Travel Writing Desk in Wood, Restored
Located in Milano, IT
Antique English man's portable desk early 800. RESTAURED. Precious travel writing box in walnut wood dating back to the second half of the 800. The box opens it becomes a small desk ...
Brass
Marshall Field & Co. Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter, Circa 1910
By Marshall Field & Co. 1, Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period "Viking" collection bronze blotter corners, with a custom green leather desk blotter.
Bronze
$738Sale Price|25% Off
EDWARDIAN 1900 Mechanical Perpetual Desk Calendar With Painted Hunting Scene
Located in Miami, FL
An Edwardian perpetual desk calendar. This is a very unusual and beautiful mechanical desk perpetual calendar.
Silver Plate, Steel
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Brass Finished Hammered Copper Desk Calendar Frame
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper desk calendar frame or picture frame By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Cent...
Copper, Brass
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.
The French sculptor shaped dense blocks into tactile forms meant to be used and held.
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.