Set of Moroccan Letter Openers Brass & Stone, late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of two morrocan letter openers The two pieces are made of white and yellow brass Geometrical
Stone, Brass
$336Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in W 15.16 in D 1.19 in
Set of Moroccan Letter Openers Brass & Stone, late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of two morrocan letter openers The two pieces are made of white and yellow brass Geometrical
Stone, Brass
Vintage Arts & Crafts Brass Letter Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Arts & Crafts brass letter opener, circa 1930s. The piece is in good vintage condition
Brass
Scandinavian Art Deco Letter Opener in Brass, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Aviation inspired paper knife in solid brass. Distinct art deco styling. It was made in Scandinavia
Brass
Antique Brass Letter Opener with Celtic Cifer - Symbolism
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual paper knife in solid brass. Its top depicts a Celtic cifer with symbolism of both love and
Brass
Antique Letter Opener with Dragon in Brass and Metal
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Letter Opener with Dragon in Brass and Metal, Late 19th Century / Early 20th Century. A
Metal, Brass
$239Sale Price|46% Off
H 9.65 in W 0.99 in D 0.99 in
Antique Italian Brass Letter Opener With Pewter Dog Handle
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Dagger style letter opener featuring leaf-shaped blade and a handmade pewter handle depicting a
Brass, Pewter
19th Century French Art Nouveau Brass and Bone Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, this lovely Brass and bone art nouveau letter opener has a beautiful patina that
Brass
$381
H 0.79 in W 8.08 in D 0.2 in
Antique Belle Époque Victorian Style Gold Pierced Brass Desk Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Belle Époque Victorian Style Gold Pierced Brass Desk Letter Opener Continental Brass c
Brass
Art Deco Letter Opener vienna around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco Letter Opener vienna around 1920s Polished and stove enameled
Brass
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener
Located in Meer, VAN
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener. A letter opener with a very distinct sable style
Brass
Antique Letter Opener, Horses, Max Le Verrier
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener, Max Le Verrier. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 6 in D 66 in
Hollywood Regency Early 20th Century Page Turner or Letter Opener Horn and Brass
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very large and decorative Hollywood Regency 1920s page turner or letter opener made by hand out of
Brass
Horse Head Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next
Brass, Bronze
$220
H 2 in W 8.25 in D 0.75 in
Capercaillie Mountain Grouse Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A classic early 20th-century Austrian bronze figural letter opener, beautifully cast and finished
Brass, Bronze
FLUORO CALCIFORTE Art Nouveau Nude Lady Letter Opener Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Calciforte advertising letter opener. Mermaid shape, boat prow. Brass/bronze in very good condition. Art
Bronze
Art Nouveau Style Brass Butterfly Letter Holder
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau style brass butterfly letter holder.
Brass
$260
H 4.5 in W 0.75 in D 0.75 in
Birmingham English Brass Shakespeare Letter Knife-Bookmark, dated 1902
By George Unite
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A brass letter knife or bookmark, made by George Unite, Birmingham, England, date marked 1902. The
Brass
Scandinavian Art Nouveau Brass Desk Letter or Napkin Holder
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Swedish hammered brass desk letter or napkin holder, Art Nouveau design, circa early
Brass
English Victorian Mahogany Letter Holder
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian mahogany letter holder with tiered slotted dividers and brass handles on each
Brass
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Letter Opener
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper letter opener By Roycroft
Brass, Copper
$250
H 0.25 in W 7.75 in D 1.25 in
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Letter Opener, Circa 1920s
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper letter opener By Roycroft
Brass, Copper
Japanese 19th Century Mixed Metals, Letter Opener C.1880
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Japanese 19th century mixed metals, letter opener C.1880. The letter opener brass and copper mixed
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 1.19 in W 10.44 in D 0.2 in
Brass Letter Opener decorated with dog heads from the early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Brass Letter Opener decorated with dog heads. Art nouveau, from the early 20th Century
Brass
Sold
H 1 in W 10.25 in D 1 in
Antique Polished Brass Novelty Letter Opener, Duck With Glass Eyes, circa 1900
Located in Bath, GB
A rare and unusual figural letter opener cast and polished in English brass dating to the late 19th
Brass
Sold
H 7.25 in W 1.75 in D 0.75 in
Antique Brass Figural Letter Opener or Paper Knife, Owl, circa 1900, Signed
Located in Bath, GB
A fine and charming figural letter opener or paper knife made from solid cast brass with a novelty
Brass
Antique English Novelty Letter Opener, Dogs with Glass Eyes
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous desk-top accessory, this solid cast brass letter opener dates to circa 1900, with the
Brass
Sold
H 5.32 in W 1.58 in D 0.6 in
Margeuritte Daisy Letter Opener Page Turner Coupe Papier One-of-a-Kind France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Unique One-of-a-Kind Marguerite Daisy Letter Opener / Coupe-Papier / Page Turner — Signed “Didier
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 1.25 in W 10 in D 0.75 in
Exquisite Antique Victorian Cobra Letter Opener with Emerald Eyes and Horn Blade
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Victorian letter opener is hand-wrought brass. lt has cabochon emerald eyes and an
Brass and Bone Eagle and Lens Open Letter, France, 1900
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass and bone eagle and lens open letter, France, 1900 Rare and sculptural desk accessory.
Brass
Art Nouveau Solid Bronze Letter Opener with Nude Maiden
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This piece is a solid bronze letter opener with Art Nouveau designs along the front and unique
Brass
English Victorian Brass Letter Opener
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass letter opener with feather and leaf design handle.
Brass
English Brass Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass Letter Opener - Unique and designed with character this letter opener is marked "England' on
Antique English Dragon Letter Opener in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A circa 1920-30 fine quality English brass dragon letter opener or paper knife. It depicts the
Brass
Antique Italian Letter Opener in Brass, circa 1900
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Italian revival piece of earlier presumably 16th or 17th century letter opener. Made from cast
Brass
Victorian Brass Feather & Bird Claw Letter Opener & Desk Seal
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A superb quality brass bird claw and feather shaped letter opener and desk seal dating from the
Brass
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, Fish
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener with Fish. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, Elephants
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener with Elephants. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
French Brass Letter Opener in the Shape of a Leaf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Brass Letter Opener in the shape of a feather...a lovely addition to your desk or work
Brass
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, Signed Arvisenet
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener, signed: Arvisenet. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, c. 1910-1920
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
Art Nouveau letter opener in the shape of a horse's head. Brass.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Art Nouveau letter opener in the shape of a horse's head. Brass. Presumably from Northern Europe
Brass
Sold
H 0.6 in W 1.25 in D 7.5 in
Antique Victorian 'Italian Ruins Lizard' Horn Brass Letter Opener, 19th Century
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Decorative brass and tortoiseshell colored horn 'Italian Ruins Lizard' letter opener. Quite
Bone
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, Madonna, c. 1910-1920
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener with Madonna. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, c. 1910, in Original Box
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener in original box. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Brass
Large Antique Dagger Shaped Letter Opener with King Handle
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Very old solid brass paper knife with motifs of crowned kings to each side of the handle. We
Brass
Horse Shoe Leg Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1920s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next
Brass, Bronze
Antique English Novelty Letter Opener, Duck with Glass Eyes, circa 1900
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous desk accessory, made from brass with the handle silvered and cast in the form of a
Silver Plate, Brass
Vintage Ebony And Brass Liner
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage ebony and brass liner.
Brass
Sold
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 2.37 in
Victorian, Castellani, Brass Paper Knife, Onyx Decoration, Lux Desk Accessories
By Castellani
Located in Glasgow, GB
Immerse yourself in the divinity of this late 19th-century Italian letter opener, attributed to the
Onyx, Brass
Japanese Meiji Silver Mounted Brass Letter Opener
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
designs and dating from the latter 19th century. The letter opener is made from a thin single piece
Silver, Brass
Sold
H 9.13 in W 1.25 in D 0.13 in
Bulldog Pug Dogs Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 19th century Austrian letter opener with Pug Dog motive. It has a nice patina. I did
Bronze, Brass
Sold
H 5.2 in W 17.7 in D 9.5 in
Large Art Deco Onyx & Bronze Elephant Desk Inkstand Set w. Letter Opener & Stamp
Located in Lisse, NL
monogram of the first and very well to do owner), an onyx and brass letter opener and a stylish Art Deco
Onyx, Bronze
19th Century Victorian Brass Paper Knife
Located in Umberleigh, Devon
A Victorian polished brass paper knife, the handle is probably a depiction of Samson. Good quality
Brass
Collection of Ten Letter Openers
Located in Waltham, MA
This collection of ten early 20th Century letter openers includes a bronze dagger form, another
Brass, Bronze, Pewter, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Pinkerton Detective Agency Desk Set
Located in North Hollywood, CA
(sterling) silver. The box is mahogany, with a silvered hinge. The letter opener blade is solid brass. Both
Sterling Silver
Hausburg Writing Box
Located in Northampton, United Kingdom
complete tool pad with mother-of-pearl ruler, letter opener, dip pen and brass pencil. The writing
Brass Chinese Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century brass letter opener would make a great addition to any office decor and can be used for
Brass
Antique French Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An antique French Art Nouveau letter opener handcrafted out of brass. This intricate piece features
Brass
Antique French Art Nouveau Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An antique French Art Nouveau letter opener handcrafted out of brass. This intricate piece features
Brass
Ottoman Silver-Inlaid "Jambiya" Dagger with Sheath
Located in Middleburg, VA
An elegant 19th-century Ottoman Jambiya, richly decorated with intricate silver inlay and highlighted with the deep black sheen of traditional niello work. Both the sheath and the fo...
Silver, Metal
Moroccan Dagger Brass and Silver Decorative Collector Khoumya
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Handcrafted Moroccan dagger brass and silvered adorned with mixed metal, copper, nickel. Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape with curved blade, with brass ...
Metal, Brass
Large Moroccan Khoumaya Jambiya Dagger with Ornate Sheath, circa 1950s
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Moroccan Khoumaya / Jambiya Dagger with Ornate Sheath, circa 1950s A striking and highly decorative Moroccan dagger, known as a khoumaya or jambiya, handcrafted in the mid-20th...
Metal, 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.