$795
H 0.5 in W 9 in D 1 in
Victorian Sterling Silver and Turquoise Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener
By Martin & Hall
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver and turquoise blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$4,889Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.67 in W 8.05 in D 1.14 in
LEONID KOCHERGIN 1900 Russian Empire Enameled Letter Opener In 14Kt Gold Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Russian letter opener designed by Leonid Kochergin. This is a very handsome luxurious desk letter
Jade, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$695
H 0.13 in W 0.75 in L 7 in
Antique David Andersen Sterling Silver & Plique a Jour Enamel Letter Opener
By David Andersen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique letter opener or knife by David Andersen. In sterling silver with plique a jour
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$420Sale Price|30% Off
H 8.86 in W 0.2 in D 0.2 in
Silver letter opener with enamel and symbols of Portugal
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver letter opener with enamel and symbols of Portugal. Metal: Enameled silver
Silver
$442
H 0.79 in W 6.89 in D 0.2 in
Antique Bronze Champlevé Enamel Blue White Red Gold Letter Opener Desk Accessory
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Bronze Champlevé Enamel Blue White Red Gold Letter Opener Desk Accessory Continental
Bronze, Enamel
$650
H 8.67 in W 0.2 in D 0.2 in
Letter opener in silver with engravings and enamel with symbols of Portugal
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver letter opener with engravings and enamel with symbols of Portugal. Metal
Silver
$775
H 0.25 in W 9.5 in D 1 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Enamel-Mounted Letter Opener-Mappin & Webb
By Mappin & Webb
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and guilloche enamel-mounted letter opener, Sheffield, England, year
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$316Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 4 in D 2.25 in
French Set of Champleve Enameled Small Inkwell and Letter Opener
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small bronze champleve enamel set of an inkwell and letter opener. Both of them depicts
Bronze
Letter Opener with Purple Enamel Decoration to the Handle
Located in London, London
Letter opener with purple enamel decoration to the handle. English, circa 1900.
Silver, Enamel
Antique Tiffany & Co. Plique A Jour Enamel 18k Gold Letter Opener, C.1920
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
This is a stunning Antique 18K solid yellow gold letter opener with blue plique a jour design. The
18k Gold, Enamel
Antique French 18-Karat Gold and Enamel Letter Opener, circa 1820
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-19th French 18-karat gold and guilloche enamel letter opener, quiver shaped handle
Gold, Enamel
Victorian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel letter opener, Sheffield, England, year
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.5 in W 9.75 in D 1 in
Large Victorian Sterling Silver and Light Green Guilloche Enamel-Letter Opener
By Gibson & Langman
Located in New York, NY
Large, Victorian, all sterling silver and light green guilloche enamel letter opener, Sheffield
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Art Deco Jade and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener
Located in Greenwich, CT
Open your daily correspondence in grand style with this Art Deco letter opener. Designed of
Jade, 18k Gold
Sold
H 0.5 in W 8.5 in D 1.25 in
Victorian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener Paper Knife
By Joseph Gloster
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel letter opener paper knife, Birmingham, England
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 9.5 in W 0.5 in D 0.5 in
Edwardian Period, sterling silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener
By Allen & Darwin Silver 1
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver and light blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.5 in W 10.13 in D 1 in
Victorian Sterling Silver and Mint Green Guiloche Enamel Letter Opener
By Joseph Gloster
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver and mint green guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife, Birmingham
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.25 in W 8 in D 0.75 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife
By Allen & Darwin Silver 1
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife, Sheffield, England
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 1.25 in
William IV Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife
By William Eaton
Located in New York, NY
William IV, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife, London, year
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.5 in W 8.75 in D 0.75 in
Art Deco Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Blue Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife
By Herbert Edward Barker & Frank Ernest Barker 1
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco period, sterling silver-mounted blue enamel letter opener/paper knife, Chester, England
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Letter Opener
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze and enamel letter opener featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany
Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 1 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener/Paper Knife
By Martin & Hall
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver letter opener/paper knife with blue guilloche enamel handle, Sheffield
Enamel, Sterling Silver
Open Letters Caucasian Rusian
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters Caucasian Rusian Circa 1900 Silver Solid Islamic inscriptions with Niele enamel.
Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.63 in W 6.5 in D 0.5 in
Cigar Cutter & Letter Opener with Enameled four-leaf Clover, 1910s Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here we have to offer a Classic early 1910s Austrian letter opener, with a cigar cutter. Nice
Metal, Enamel
Sold
H 0.13 in W 8 in D 1 in
Edwardian Style Sterling Silver and Pink Guilloche Enamel-Mounted Letter Opener
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian style, sterling silver and pink guilloche enamel - mounted letter opener/paper knife
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.25 in W 9 in D 0.75 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Blue and Black Enamel, Mounted Letter Opener
By Walker & Hall
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and blue and black guilloche enamel-mounted letter opener/paper knife
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.5 in W 8.75 in D 1.25 in
Victorian Sterling Silver and Blue Enamel, Mounted Letter Opener / Paper Knife
By Henry Harrison
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel - mounted letter / opener paper knife
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 0.79 in W 8.67 in D 2.37 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Metal and Blue Enamel Letter Opener and Pen
Located in Firenze, IT
French late 19th century Napoleon III metal and enamel letter opener paper knife and ink pen
Metal, Enamel
Victorian Letter Opener with Pansy Enameled Decoration
Located in Hudson, NY
Victorian tortoiseshell letter opener with raised enameled pansy decoration in cobalt blue
Tortoise Shell
19th Century Letter Opener with Fuscia Pink Enamel Decoration
Located in London, London
Letter opener with fuscia pink enamel decoration to the handle. Made in 1856.
Silver, Enamel
Faberge Style Jewel Encrusted 925 Silver Letter Opener
Located in Montreal, QC
Vintage Faberge style 925 silver marked, letter opener with encrusted jewels jade, turquoise
Garnet, Moonstone, Turquoise, Silver, Enamel
Michel Perchin Silver Gilt Fountain Pen, Russian Imperial Blue Enamel, Germany.
Located in Miami, FL
Offered here is a Michel Perchin Pen. Sterling silver gilt and enamel fountain pen, made in Germany. 0728/4321. in great condition, intriguing decorations and Imperial Russian ribb...
Silver, Enamel
$59,850
W 2.37 in D 0.4 in L 3.35 in
Fabergé Antique Bi-Color Gold Cigarette Case, Circa 1896-1908, Russia
By Fabergé
Located in Capri, IT
1896 - 1908 Circa Yellow and Rose Gold Faberge Cigarette Case. Workmaster August Hollming, ST Petersburg with scratched inventory number 5695. Of rectangular shape.
$2,995
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 0.5 in
Antique Imperial Russian Silver Cloisonne Enamel Coin Purse Case Moscow 1899
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Pre-Revolution Russian Imperial silver-gilt & cloisonné enamel coin purse/case, Moscow, 1899. The purse with the maker's mark in Cyrillic and the assayer's mark for Iv...
Silver, Enamel
$95,950 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Chrysanthemum Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 255 pcs Fitted Chest
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Big Bend, WI
Chrysanthemum (c1880) originally called Indian Chrysanthemum .Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880 by Charles Grosjean. With its flowing curves, swirling ve...
Sterling Silver
$125,000
H 24.81 in W 17.72 in D 9.85 in
Purple Amethyst “Harp" phantom White calcites Decorative object Sculpture
Located in London, GB
This museum-quality Amethyst “harp” from Artigas, Uruguay, is a natural sculpture of exceptional beauty and rarity. The piece features a harmonious arrangement of high-quality Amethy...
Amethyst, Quartz
$275,365
H 6.3 in W 9.69 in D 6.34 in
16th-Century Indo-Portuguese Colonial Mother-of-pearl Gujarat Casket
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An exceptional Indo-Portuguese colonial mother-of-pearl veneered casket with silver mounts India, Gujarat, 2nd half of the 16th century, the silver mounts Goa or probably Lisbon ...
Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Canteen of Cutlery for Twelve Persons
By Viners 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, comprehensive antique George V English sterling silver Sandringham pattern flatware service for twelve persons - boxed; an addition to our canteen...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vanity Case 279 Grams, Art Deco, 279 Gm Gold, Rare
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully crafted Vanity case by Cartier in 18-karat yellow gold from the Art Deco period of the 1930s Cartier - Art Deco 18-karat yellow gold vanity or compact box with diamonds...
18k Gold
Cartier Art Deco Gold Fountain Pen
By Cartier
Located in New York City, NY
Rare 18K yellow gold fountain pen by Cartier, circa 1930s. It features a platinum nib and stylish design. Twist-off cap. Beautiful workmanship and great for any desk or as a gift. H...
18k Gold
$39,508
H 8.67 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Italian Sterling Silver Chess Board, Chess Game, Sodalite Marble
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Impressive sterling silver chess board medieval style chess set. The chess board, made by ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA, was made in white marble and sodalite is supported by a STERLING SIL...
Marble, Sterling Silver
Maison Maire travel necessities Paris 1825-1830 ca
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Charles X-era travel nécessaire consisting of citronnier wood case, decorated with small polished steel studs and fitted with key, containing chiseled gold, turquoise (insets) and mo...
Gold
$145,000
H 106 in W 66 in D 26 in
Pair of 19th Century French Walnut Library Ladders, Napoleon III Style
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French (19th Century) walnut library ladders with side railings and steps leading to a top platform (on casters) (attributed to Napoleon III's personal library) (Related item...
Walnut
Fabergé Style Bejewelled and Enamelled Gold Egg by Asprey
By Asprey International Limited, Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in London, GB
This exceptional, 18 carat gold Easter egg was crafted by the famous London-based royal jewellers, Asprey & Co. The piece was then retailed by Garrard & Co, who once worked i...
Gold
$8,252Sale Price|30% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 1.07 in
Early 20th Century Tubular Gold Chased Guilloche Enamel Cigar Holder
By Fabergé
Located in Basildon, GB
Russian made gold and enamel cigar tube, circa 1900 - 1910, in red and white enamel with applied diamonds and ruby decoration. The piece is stamped with the work master's initials AH...
Multi-gemstone, Gold
$188,948
H 7.88 in W 5.12 in
Fabergé Autumn-Egg, 18k Yellow Gold, Aubergine-Red Enamel, Diamonds 3.34ct G VS
By Fabergé
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Fabergé Autumn Egg, 18k Yellow Gold, Aubergine-Red Enamel, Diamonds 3.34 ct G VS, Obsidian, Agate, Ruby, Amethyst, Coral, Onyx This Fabergé egg, created in 1998 as part of the “Four...
Agate, Amber, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Elkington Beverage Service Eight-Piece
By Elkington & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by the leading English silversmith firm of the 19th century, this rare and beautifully executed beverage service by Elkington & Co. is a fantastic example of the company'...
Silver
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.