Glass Pyramid Paperweight
Late 20th Century European Paperweights
Glass, Art Glass
Late 20th Century European Paperweights
Glass, Art Glass
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Paperweights
Copper
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Obelisks
Marble
Late 20th Century American Modern Obelisks
Lucite
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2010s Italian Minimalist Candlesticks
Marble
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Tin, Copper, Brass
Vintage 1930s North American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Copper
Antique Late 19th Century English Anglo-Japanese Settees
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Jade, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Paperweights
Copper
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown International Style Desk Sets
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Czech Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Enamel
Late 20th Century Canadian Organic Modern Paperweights
Plastic, Acrylic
Antique Late 19th Century Egyptian Islamic Metalwork
Brass, Copper
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Metal
Vintage 1960s Japanese Edo Prints
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Obelisks
Travertine, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary British Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Boxwood, Olive, Satinwood
Late 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Lucite
Recent Sales
20th Century American Paperweights
Glass
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Paperweights
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1970s Belgian Minimalist Glass
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Obelisks
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Brass
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.
- What is a glass paperweight?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A glass paperweight is a small glass object, containing colorful complex designs depicting florals, animals and more. They are paperweights in name only, and are often displayed as prized art pieces. You’ll find a variety of glass paperweights from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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