P. Chiesa Nile Green Glass and Bronze Pen Holder by Fontana Arte, Italy 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular pen holder in Nile green faceted crystal with a decorative bronze elephant. This outstanding piece was designed by the mastery of Pietro Chiesa and produced by Fontana Ar...
Metal, Bronze
Antique Ornate Gilt Bronze Pen Rest or Holder with Onyx Base & Floral Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique pen rest or holder is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in the United States in approximately 1900 in the period Edwardian style. The frame and pillars of the pen...
Onyx, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Pattern Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Pen Wipe
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and slag glass "Pine Needle" pattern pen brush or pen wipe By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, US...
Bronze
$420Sale Price|30% Off
Silver tower-shaped pen holder resting on a base with four half-ball feet
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver tower-shaped pen holder resting on a base with four half-ball feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Javali II. Title: Weight: 64.92 grams. Dimensions: 1...
Silver
Art Deco Desk Inkstand Set Marble, Inkwell and Pen Holder
Located in Poperinge, BE
Art Deco inkstand/desk set featuring an inkwell and pen holder, crafted from white marble with black veining; a vintage piece from the 1930s.
Marble
Ghidini 1961 Omini Pen and Cards Tray in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencils tray in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and ...
Brass
Art Deco, Inkwell Desk Set, Pen Holder, Marble, Bronze Panthers, 1920s
Located in Stamford, CT
Art Deco, Inkwell Desk Set, Pen Holder, Marble, Bronze, 1920s Perched upon a portoro black and brown with gold veined marble base having a pen and pencil cut out sit a male and fema...
Onyx, Marble, Bronze
$159Sale Price|20% Off
70s- early 80s Missoni 3-Piece Desk Set Pen, Mechanical Pencil, Letter Opener
By Angela Missoni, Missoni
Located in London, GB
A rare and collectible piece of Italian design history, this complete Missoni-branded three-piece desk set dates from the late 1970s to early 1980s.
Crystal Inkwells and Pen Trays Desk Set by Jacques Adnet and Baccarat, France
By Baccarat, Jacques Adnet
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Art Déco crystal desk set of inkwells and pen Trays by Jacques Adnet manufactured by Baccarat, France By: Jacques Adnet, Baccarat Material: glass, crystal Techniq...
Crystal
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Pen and Cards Desk Trays Set in Polished Brass
By Elisa Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Brass
Tiffany & Co 1950s Pure Silver Pen & Ink Set
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the exquisite Tiffany & Co 1950s Pure Silver Pen & Ink Set, a timeless and luxurious addition to any desk or workspace.
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Pen and Cards Desk Trays Set in Rose Gold Finish
By Elisa Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in copper with a rose gold finish. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-d...
Copper
Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen and Ballpoint Pen Set in 12K Gold Filled Diamond P
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen and Ballpoint Pen Set in 12K Gold Filled Diamond Pattern, USA, circa 1970 Elegant vintage two-piece writing set by Sheaffer, dating from the late 1960s...
Gold
Rare Set Of Two Montblanc Noblesse Oblige Red GT Fountain Pen And Mechanical Pen
By Mont Blanc
Located in Toronto, CA
Rare Set Of Two Montblanc Noblesse Oblige Red GT Fountain Pen And Mechanical Pen Details: Condition : Like New Mint Condition With Barly Any Wear And/ Or marks Please Intact Engra...
Set of Italian Guzzini Table Clock & Pens Holder 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Set of Italian Guzzini Table Clock & Pens Holder 1970s
Plexiglass
Vintage Brown Leather Dice Cup After Paul Dupré-Lafon
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Cup cab be used as a decorative catch all, desk set (pen holder). Frequently utilized in traditional tabletop and pub games like poker dice or liar's dice.
Leather
Parker Gold Ruby Rollerball Fountain Pen Lighter Set
Located in New York, NY
18k gold two pens (one rollerball and one fountain) and a lighter set by Parker, in original fitter box. Pens are 130mm long each, lighter measures 55mm x 32mm x 9mm. Pens decorated ...
Ruby, Gold
$700Sale Price|30% Off
Writing set with blotter, inkwell, opener, seal, pen and original case
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Writing set with blotter, inkwell, letter opener, seal and embossed silver pen with original case. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Cabeça de escravo. Weight: 3...
Silver
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
Silver inkwell with two tanks, bell, pen holder and set on three raised feet
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver inkwell with two reservoirs, bell, pen holder and set on three raised feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portugal. Brand: Lisbon Crown. Weight: 579.89 grams. Dimensions...
Silver
Montblanc Writers Edition 2007 William Faulkner 3 Piece Pen Set
By Montblanc
Located in Simpsonville, SC
Embark on a literary journey with the Montblanc Writers Edition 2007 William Cuthbert Faulkner 3 Piece Pen Set, a tribute to one of the most influential American authors of the 20th ...
$4,200Sale Price|30% Off
Silver inkwell with rack, bell, two tanks, pen holder and set on four claw feet
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver inkwell with rack, bell, two reservoirs, pen stand and resting on four claw feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Lisbon Crown. Weight: 596.45 grams. Di...
Silver
Tiffany & Co. Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Ballpoint Pen and Pencil Set
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Simpsonville, SC
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Ballpoint Pen (blue ink) and Pencil Set, a masterful blend of luxury, elegance, and functionality.
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
New Montblanc Boheme Crystal Platinum Plated Line Rollerball Pen Full Set
By Mont Blanc
Located in Toronto, CA
For your consideration Ultra Rare New Montblanc Boheme Crystal Platinum Plated Line Rollerball Pen Package Contain Montblanc Boheme Crystal Platinum Plated Line Rollerball Pen ...
Platinum
Excellent Like New Montblanc StarWalker BLACK MYSTRERY Ballpoint Pen Full Set
By Mont Blanc
Located in Toronto, CA
.. For your consideration is this fantastic Like New Montblanc StarWalker BLACK MYSTRERY Ballpoint Pen. The pen comes with Original case box And Manuals . If it is not shown in th...
Set of 6 Montblanc Meisterstuck Fountain Ballpoint Pen Pencil with Leather Pouch
By Montblanc
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Montblanc Pen Set. This exquisite set features a collection of black pens with gold accents. Each pen showcases a sleek, glossy finish with a luxurious gold clip and trim. Th...
Excellent S.T. Dupont Defi Ballpoint Pen Gun Metal Complete Set
By S.T. Dupont
Located in Toronto, CA
Stunning S.T. Dupont Defi Ballpoint Pen . Includes its original presentation case, instructions, and guarantee card included Condition : in Excellent Condition Please Check the pi...
$825Sale Price / set|44% Off
Gilded Age Silver Plated and Crystal Writing Desk Set
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique silver-on-copper and crystal pen and ink desk set is composed a footed tray with two indentations for feathered pens or writing instruments, two lidded ink bottles with b...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Fountain Pen Sandalwood Box Set with Personalization
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
Experience the luxury and elegance of fine writing with this Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Fountain Pen Sandalwood Box Set. The pen boasts a sleek and classic design, crafted from 18K yell...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$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
Vintage Deep Green .4 Carat Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ball Pen Sandalwood Box Set
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
Indulge in luxury and add a touch of vintage elegance to your desk with this stunning Vintage Deep Green .4 Carat Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ball Pen Sandalwood Box Set.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,599Sale Price|20% Off
Desk Set stripes enamel Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen and Tray.Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels with two-tone stripes on guilloche and hand engravings, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pe...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen & Tray for Desk Set enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with hand-painted fired enamel like turquoise stone, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pen (4577-5210) with 18 carat gold n...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Fountain pen Ballpoint pen Tray and Letter Opener for Desk Set enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Luxurious Desk Set Description:Elevate your workspace with this sophisticated set of desk objects, comprising a ballpoint pen, fountain pen, tray, and letter opener, all crafted from...
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen and tray for a Desk Set green enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
4640-5320 - Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on guilloché, cm. 9 x 17.5. For fountain pen (4568-5201) with two-tone st...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Fountain pen Ballpoint pen and pocket magnifying glass Set enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Luxurious Desk Set Ballpoint pen, fountain pen and small pocket magnifying glass in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent polychrome fire enamels on guilloche in an early 1900s A...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Gothic Revival brass desk set with a pair of candlesticks & a matching pen tray.
Located in London, GB
A Gothic Revival brass desk set with a pair of brass candlesticks and a matching pen tray all inset with multi-coloured semi-precious glass bulls eyes.
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.