Dagger Letter Opener
Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Letter Openers
Stone, Brass
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Silver, Steel
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Letter Openers
Brass, Pewter
Late 20th Century Egyptian Letter Openers
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tobacco Accessories
Metal
Early 20th Century European Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Wrought Iron
Antique Mid-19th Century German Letter Openers
Steel
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Letter Openers
Gold, Silver, Steel, Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Brass, Silver Plate
20th Century Israeli Letter Openers
Silver
Antique 19th Century Victorian Letter Openers
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Modern Letter Openers
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Letter Openers
Bronze
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Letter Openers
Metal, Brass
Antique 1850s Italian Gothic Letter Openers
Steel
Antique 1820s Turkish Islamic Letter Openers
Gold, Steel
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Metalwork
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Antique 19th Century Japanese Other Sculptures and Carvings
Bone
1990s American Desk Accessories
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Desk Accessories
Early 20th Century British Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Wood, Birch
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Architectural Elements
Composition
Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Copper, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
Vintage 1920s Arms, Armor and Weapons
Agate, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
20th Century English Georgian Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplaces and Mantels
Marble, Breccia Marble, Carrara Marble
Antique 19th Century Italian Apothecary Cabinets
Glass, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Bookcases
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Center Tables
Malachite, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Musical Instruments
Ebony
Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Metal
Antique 19th Century Austrian Other Musical Instruments
Satinwood
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Islamic Arms, Armor and Weapons
Sterling Silver
Dagger Letter Opener For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dagger Letter Opener?
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.
Read More
How a Craving for Color Revolutionized Glass
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
Kazuyo Sejima’s Flowering Tree Blooms Year-Round
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
He Wrote ‘Oedipus Rex,’ but Do You Know What He Looked Like?
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Cigar Culture Was Once the Peak of Masculinity. Now, It’s a Compelling Curiosity
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
African Travel Plans on Hold? This Ardmore Leopard Vase Brings the Beauty of the Savanna to You
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
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.
Zoë Powell’s Magnolia 05 Vessel Is Handmade from Clay She Unearthed Herself
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.
8 Ways to Breathe New Life into a Space with Plants
The pair behind the Instagram account @houseplantclub share their tips for making any room of the house gloriously green.