Art Deco Black Glass and Brass Inkwell With Letter Rack Desk Set
Located in Land O' Lakes, FL
This sophisticated Art Deco black and gold desk set is a stunning example of 1920s elegance.
Category
1920s American Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Brass
Antique Gold Desk Set
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Vintage Asian Cloisonné Desk Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of worldly, scholarly elegance to your study with this exquisite antique Asian desk set or standish. This remarkable piece showcases meticulous craftsmanship, featuring...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Circa 1900 Cast Iron Gold Gilding Moose Desk Set
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Neat gilded moose desk set with original inkwell, circa 1900. Made of cast iron with gold gilding.
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Iron
19th Century Bronze and Marble Desk Set
$4,800 / set
19th Century Bronze and Marble Desk Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
This rare four-piece bronze and marble desk set includes a pen holder, inkwell stamper, and letter holder.
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Louis Philippe bronze and ormolu desk set
By Louis Philippe
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Louis Philippe bronze and ormolu desk set, comprising two ink wells and a powder shaker in the form of crenelated urns with anthemion-bud finials, all set on a rectangular base wit...
Category
1840s French Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Green Marble & Gold Bronze 4 Piece Inkwell Desk Set Circa 1875-85
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Antique French green marble and gold bronze 4 piece inkwell desk set, circa 1875-1885.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Cloisonné Enamel & Gold Bronze 7 Piece Inkwell Desk Set, Ca. 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Cloisonné Enamel & Gold Bronze 7 Piece Inkwell Desk Set, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Enamel, Bronze
Antique Tiffany Studios Zodiac 6-Piece Bronze Doré Desk Set
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This lovely 6-piece bronze doré desk set was made by Tiffany Studios of New York. The early 20th-century set has a warm golden finish with its original patina and has been made in T...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Imperial Anichkov Palace Russian Bronze Garniture Desk Set. Alexei Alexandrovich
Located in Victoria, BC
An exceptional and rare three-piece Imperial Russian desk garniture, formerly housed in the Anichkov Palace, and bearing the personal cypher of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Rus...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York 7-Piece "Pond Lily" Desk Set
By Tiffany Studios, Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in New York, NY
Two, including this one, have a rich brown and green patina, and the third has a gold doré finish. The rarity of the Pond Lily set stands in stark contrast to the boundless number of...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
A Champlevé Enamel Three Piece Desk Set, Attributed to Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Champlevé Enamel Three Piece Desk Set, Attributed to Barbedienne. Comprising a gilt-bronze pen tray and a pair of candleholders all finely decorated in Champlevé enamel. The pen...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Art Deco Desk Set Inkwell In Alabaster and Bronze Elephant
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautifull Art Deco desk set in Alabaster and Bronze with large decorative Elephant, inkwell and carved area as penholder. This is a wonderful piece for a collector of these pieces.
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Playing Cats or Kittens, Gilded Bronze Desk Set, c.1890
$3,919Sale Price / set|20% Off
Playing Cats or Kittens, Gilded Bronze Desk Set, c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A rare and magnificent English desk set made from gilded bronze in superb condition. The set consists of a pair of candlesticks, a pen tray, an inkwell, a seal and a letter opener. ...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Classical Marble & Bronze Grand Tour Desk Set, Six Pieces
$3,157Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Classical Marble & Bronze Grand Tour Desk Set, Six Pieces
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful 19th Century Classical Marble & Bronze Mounted Three Piece Grand Tour Desk Set Six piece set includes a letter rack, an ink blotter, & an exquisite pen tray with...
Category
19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Bronze and Slag Seven-Piece Desk Set
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Northport, MI
An exceptional seven-piece desk set by Tiffany Studios New York, crafted circa early 20th century in the iconic Pine Needle Pattern. This finely detailed ensemble features warm bronz...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Venetian Model Desk Set by Tiffany & Co., Gilded Bronze, Art Deco
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Desk set made of gilded bronze (Ormolu) composed of 14 “Venetian” model pieces, made by TIFFANY & Co, (1837 - present). Signed TIFFANY STUDIOS, NEW YORK, 1647. United States, CIRCA ...
Category
1910s American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Fine 19th Century Ormolu Mounted KPM Porcelain Desk Set - Inkwell Candlesticks
By Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory
Located in Forney, TX
A very fine quality, exquisitely hand-crafted, late nineteenth century bronze doré mounted Royal Porcelain Factory Berlin (KPM) porcelain five piece desk set. The breathtaking anti...
Category
Late 19th Century Louis XV Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Six-Piece Desk Set, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Art & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" patinated bronze desk set. The six-piece set includes: picture frame, stamp box, inkwell, pen tray, match stand, and set of fo...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Nine-Piece Desk Set, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Zodiac" bronze desk set. The nine-piece set includes: large inkwell, pen brush, two letter racks, pair of bookends, stamp box, notepad...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French ormolu Inkwells. Both items are late 19...
Category
19th Century Chinese Regency Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Chalcedony and Gilded Bronze Desk Set from the Duke of St. Albans
Located in London, GB
A finely cased desk set in Chalcedony and the very finest gilt bronze. Made up of a letter opener, a seal and a pen. The leather case is lined in its original velvet and silk. The en...
Category
1850s English Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Japanese Bronze Inkwell Male Bust Pair French Ormolu Desk Set
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very stylish patinated bronze desk inkwell modelled as a bust of a Chinese or Japanese figure wearing a straw hat, together with a pair French ormolu Inkwells. Both items are late 19...
Category
19th Century Chinese Regency Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Regency Grand Tour Bronze Crystal Desk Set Inkstand Encrier 19Ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Heavy Gauge Chisel Cast French Grand Tour German Neo-Classical Bronze and Crystal Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...
Category
19th Century French Grand Tour Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Japanned English Victorian Papier Mâché Mother of Pearl Desk Set
Located in Forney, TX
An English Victorian Japanned papier mache desk set with mother of pearl inlay and elaborate rich polychrome painted flower decoration.
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Other
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Malachite Three Piece Desk Set - Leuchars of London
By Leuchars & Son
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Rare Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Malachite Three Piece Desk Set By Leuchars of London James Leuchars The highly decorative mounted malachite set consisting of a letter box...
Category
Early 19th Century English Belle Époque Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Favrile Slag Glass Desk Set
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 five-piece set includes: inkwell, letter rack, stamp box, rocker...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
NAPOLEON III Antique 1870 French Desk Tray Set In Gray Marble And Gilt Ormolu
$1,389Sale Price|30% 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. Th...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Gold, Ormolu
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...
Category
1920s Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Desk Blotter Ends
By Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios
Located in New York, NY
A pair of gilt bronze “Zodiac” desk blotter ends by Tiffany Studios New York. The blotter ends each feature intricate pseudo-Celtic patterning interspersed with circular elements in ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
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. By Tiffany Studios ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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. By Tiffany Studios (blotter corners sig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle 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 in the "Pine Needle" pattern, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends signe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom green leather desk pad By Tiffany Studios (blotter...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Marshall Field & Co. Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios, Marshall Field & Co. 1
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. In the manner of Tiffany Studios By Ma...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom blue leather desk pad By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine 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 "Grapevine" pattern blotter ends with a custom blue leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (each blotter end signed to th...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Pattern 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 blotter ends in the "Adam" pattern, with a custom brown leather desk pad By Tiffany Studios (each blotter end signed ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Pair Dore Bronze Chinese Pattern 1751 Tiffany New York Desk Blotters
By Tiffany Studios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Dore or Gilt Bronze Blotter ends by Tiffany Studios New York. The pair are item number 1751 and are a beautiful and rare Chinese pattern. Ready for any desk slits on the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze blotter ends in the "Grapevine" pattern, with a custom green leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends signed...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
French Belle Epoque Bronze Desk Tidy with Pen Rest, Art Nouveau Design
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful Turn of the Century Decorative French Belle Epoque / Art Nouveau Bronze Desk Tidy. With A Pen Rest Hinged Inkwell Cover. Made By Depose, of France. Weighs 0.7kgs Height...
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Apollo Studios New York Arts & Crafts Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" pattern bronze and slag glass blotter ends with verdigris green patina and a custom brown leather desk blotter In the ma...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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 Zodiac, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends si...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom green leather desk pad By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Desk Calendar or Memo Pad Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern bronze perpetual desk calendar holder or stationery holder By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New Yor...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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 Zodiac, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends si...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Perpetual Desk Calendar, Circa 1910
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Zodiac" pattern bronze perpetual desk calendar holder or stationery holder By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th C...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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 patinated bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom green leather desk pad By Tiffany Studios (signed to ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Parker Duofold Marbleized Fountain Pen & Pencil Set 1930's Rare Collectors Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
1930's Art Deco Parker Duofold Marbleised Fountain Pen & Pencil Set in Original Parker Box - rare collectors item. Fountain Pen Made in Canada 14k nib Geo S. Parker PAT SEP. 5-...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Gold Plate
Rare Collectors Set Art Deco Parker Duofold Marbleised Fountain Pen & Pencil Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
1930's Art Deco Parker Duofold Marbleised Fountain Pen & Pencil Set in Original Parker Box - rare collectors item. Fountain Pen Made in Canada 14k nib Geo S. Parker PAT SEP. 5-...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Gold Plate
Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter with Leather 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 or Neoclassical style swags, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany St...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine 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 "Grapevine" pattern blotter ends with a custom green leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (each blotter end signed to ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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 Zodiac, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends si...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Gold Desk Set
Materials
Bronze
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Antique Gold Desk Set For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique gold desk set you’re looking for at 1stDibs. An antique gold desk set — often made from metal, bronze and glass — can elevate any home. There are many kinds of the antique gold desk set you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique gold desk set made by Arts and Crafts designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique gold desk set over the years, but those crafted by Tiffany Studios, Marshall Field & Co. and Tiffany & Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Antique Gold Desk Set?
Prices for an antique gold desk set can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $165 and can go as high as $550,000, while the average can fetch as much as $1,595.
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.
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