1970’s Gucci Leather Desk Set Notepad and Pen Holder
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful Gucci desk set from the 1970’s. This set belonged to the estate of Daniel Schwartz and
Vintage 1970s Italian Desk Sets
Leather
1970’s Gucci Leather Desk Set Notepad and Pen Holder
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful Gucci desk set from the 1970’s. This set belonged to the estate of Daniel Schwartz and
Leather
Gucci Red Leather Desk Set, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome red leather desk set by Gucci. Made in Italy, circa 1980s. Set consists of a note pad with
Brass
Gucci Vintage Black Leather Desk Set 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Stunning Gucci desk set made of black leather and brass. Four pieces include: massive desktop
Brass
Gucci Leather and Velvet Desk Set, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Gucci desk set made of Black leather and emerald green velvet. Five pieces include: 2
Brass
$6,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.5 in W 19.5 in D 14.5 in
Rare Gucci Alligator / Crocodile Leather 4 Piece Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fabulous and rare Gucci 4 piece desk set in either Alligator or Crocodile real leather or
Leather
$775
H 1.13 in W 4.38 in D 6.38 in
Vintage 1980s Gucci Desk Set Accessories - Leather Pen + Paper Holder & Tray
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice 1980s Gucci - Italy designed leather desk accessories set, includes pen holder, note paper
Ceramic, Leather, Suede
Gucci Desk Calendar
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome red leather Gucci desk calendar and writing pad. Original paper inside. Brass and chrome
Brass, Chrome
$3,123 / set
H 18.12 in W 22.64 in D 1.78 in
Gucci Brown Leather Brass Bucket Desk Stationary Set Pen Pad Write, circa 1960s
By Gucci
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
leather desk accessories A wonderful suite. This set includes the original pad, writing slope with
Leather, Suede
Gucci Leather Desk Notepad with Equestrian Motif, circa 1970
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
tribute to Gucci's heritage. The deep saddle-toned leather is further enhanced by meticulously hand
Brass, Metal
Gucci Desk Planner in Black Leather and Brass, 1970s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic black leather Gucci desk planner with brass bindings containing two notepads titled “To-day
Brass
$8,500
H 0.5 in W 15.25 in D 19.25 in
Gucci 5 Piece Desk Set in Crocodile/Alligator Gifted by Frank Sinatra
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fabulous Gucci 5 piece Desk set in a Crocodile or Allifgator grain leather or real skin. It was
Leather
Parchment Desk Pad by Gucci, 1930s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly rare vintage portable writing pad by Gucci circa 1930s. Parchment exterior and a wood
Wood, Goatskin, Leather
Gucci Leather and Brass Note Pad, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome leather notepad by Gucci. Made in Italy, circa 1980s. Rich color to saddle leather with
Brass
Gucci Letter Opener and Pen Holder in Leather, 1960s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and chic vintage Gucci pen holder and letter opener desk set in black and navy leather with
Brass
Gucci Burgundy Leather and Brass Horsebit Wastepaper Basket, Italy 1950s
By Gucci
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Gucci Burgundy Leather and Brass Horsebit Wastepaper Basket. Beautiful craftsmanship and
Brass
$450
H 9.13 in W 5.88 in D 1.88 in
Vintage 1980s Gucci Saddle Leather Note Pad with Gold / Silver Double GG Logo
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage 1980s Gucci brown saddle leather & stitch note pad with brass / silver double GG logo
Metal
Gucci Quail Pen Holder 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci vintage silver plated quail mounted on a stitched suede leather plate with a silver plate pen
Silver Plate
Gucci Silver plate Quail Penholder 1970s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Den Haag, NL
Gucci vintage silver plated quail penholder mounted on a Black stitched leather base ,with a
Leather
Gucci Mid-Century Modern Dark Brown Leather and Brass Desk Planner
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Modern dark brown leather desk planner with brass bindings containing two notepads
Brass
Gucci Inspired Leather & Crystal Desk Set, Italy, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic Italian desk set combining a cut-crystal decanter with an equestrian-inspired leather holder
Crystal
FINAL SALE 1960s Gucci Desk Clock and Barometer Set
By Gucci
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rare vintage desk clock set by Gucci from the 1960s in a very beautiful design. It is fully covered
Leather
Vintage Gucci Leather & Brass Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful Gucci desk set from the 1970's out of a local Palm Springs estate. We've had the leather
Brass
Gucci Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic Gucci desk set with blotter, note pad, letter opener and pen holder. All pieces in
Leather
Gucci Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic Gucci desk set with blotter, note pad, letter opener and pen holder. All pieces in
Chrome
Vintage Gucci Desk Set in Black Leather and Wood
By Gucci
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage Gucci desk set in black leather and wood. Three-piece set includes desk pad which opens to
Leather
Rare Gucci Snake Skin Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Gucci desk set made of snake or lizard skin. Six pieces include: massive desktop blotter
Brass
Sold
H 1.5 in W 10 in D 9 in
Rare Vintage Gucci 8 Piece Executive Italian Leather Desk Set Accessories, 1979
By Gucci
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Rare vintage Gucci 8 piece executive Italian leather desk set accessories, 1979 Made from black
Leather
Gucci Desk Blotter
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Handsome Gucci desk blotter in brown leather with brass detailing. Very heavy and substantial piece
Brass
Gucci Desk Blotter
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Authentic vintage black leather and green suede desk blotter by Gucci. Signature red and green
Leather, Suede
Gucci Desk Blotter
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful Gucci desk blotter with eight mother-of-pearl inlays on each side. Leather and silver
Mother-of-Pearl, Leather
Sold
H 18.12 in W 22.64 in D 1.78 in
Gucci Brown Leather Brass Bucket Desk Stationary Set Pen Pad Write, circa 1960s
By Gucci
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
leather desk accessories A wonderful suite. This set includes the original pad, writing slope with
Leather, Suede
Leather Desk Set by Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible Gucci desk accessory collection. Set includes an ink blotter desk pad, note pad, letter
Brass
Set of 2 Gucci Desk Accessories Made in Italy, 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 2 very rare Gucci desk accessories, the pad and the diary are both signed from GUCCI ITALIA
Leather, Fabric
Leather and Brass Desk Set by Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Amazing Gucci desk accessory collection. Set includes an ink blotter desk pad, note pad, letter
Brass
Sold
H 4.5 in W 11 in D 8.5 in
Four Piece Leather Desk Set Hand Made by Maitland Smith in the Style of Gucci
By Maitland Smith, Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A gorgeous four piece desk set in leather and brass detail by Maitland Smith hand made in the
Leather
Vintage Leather Gucci Notepad
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome vintage tan leather Gucci notepad with red and green stripes and GG logo. Green leather
Brass
Gucci Leather Box, Lighter and Notepad Holder
By Gucci
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Handsome set features a writing pad, lighter and cigarette box lined in Mahogany with a center
Metal
Gucci Letter Opener, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
burgundy leather. Gucci crest on bottom center. Long chrome/brass blade extending from handle. Stamped
Brass
Gucci Vintage Brown Leather 3 Pieces Desk Set Blotter Pen Holder Tray
By Gucci
Located in Rome, Rome
Vintage desk set by GUCCI. Crafted in brown leather and gold metal. The set includes a blotter, a
Red Leather Gucci Desk Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unbelievably stylish desk set by Gucci. The note pad cover, pencil holder, desk blotter and letter
Sold
Gucci Desk Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful red leather Gucci desk set including; Blotter, pencil holder, paper tray and magnifying
Leather
Sold
Gucci Desk Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Original Gucci 6 piece desk set in cognac leather.
Leather
Gucci Desk Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful brown leather Gucci desk set including; Blotter, pencil holder, and paper tray with
Brass
Sold
Gucci Desk Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Italian Gucci Desk set in dark brown leather. Includes letter tray, letter opener, pencil opener
Leather
Gucci Leather Desk Set
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Four-piece Gucci leather desk set with brass stirrup design. Blotter, letter opener, pen cup
1980s Gucci Leather Desk Set Calendar and Notepad
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage 1980s Gucci leather desk set calendar and note pad. Calendar is reversible to solid leather
Brass
Gucci Leather Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome brown leather Gucci desk set. Complete with desk pad and letter opener. Excellent coloring
Brass
Vintage Gucci Leather Desk Set Italy 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Stunning Gucci desk set made of crocodile effect leather in embossed pigskin, and gilded brass.The
Brass
Gucci Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible Gucci desk accessory collection. Set includes an ink blotter desk pad, note pad, letter
Leather
Gucci Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Gucci desk set in saddle leather with brass stirrup hardware. Set features a large desk
Brass
Gucci Desk Set in Leather and Brass
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Gucci desk set in leather and brass. Deep red leather has excellent patina. Set includes
Brass
Luxurious Vintage Gucci Leather 4-Piece Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Top of the line designer desk set having a blotter with pockets, an ink blotter, a mail holder and
Leather
Best Dressed Executive's Leather and Gold Gucci Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Chocolate brown leather meets thick heavy brass Gucci logo in this handsome vintage desk blotter
Brass
Three-Piece Signed Italian Gucci Vintage Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in North Miami, FL
Black leather meets Gucci logo in thick heavy brass in this handsome vintage desk blotter, note
Brass
Luxurious Gucci Black Lizard Skin Horsebit Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Miami, FL
A fabulous four piece executive desk set in black lizard skin with brass and silver Gucci horse bit
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 4.13 in W 4.13 in D 2.75 in
Gucci Brown Leather Desk Pen Holder with Gold Plated Equestrian Motif
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gucci Italy designed this luxury modernist desktop accessory during the 1970s. The pen cup holder
Metal, Gold Plate
Vintage Saddle Leather Gucci Notepad
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome vintage saddle leather Gucci notepad with brass stirrup. Excellent patina to leather
Brass
Vintage Gucci Leather Letter Holder
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite leather letter holder by Gucci. Circa 1970s. This equestrian letter holder is in the shape
Brass
Sold
H 5.75 in W 6.75 in D 6 in
Gucci, Italy - Vintage Equestrian Letter Holder / Desk Organizer c.1975
By Gucci
Located in Bath, GB
fashion house, Gucci. The base is covered in leather, the top being a very dark green and black around
Metal
Gucci Desktop Pen Holder in Brass and Saddle Leather
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent Gucci desktop pen holder in brass and saddle leather. Great patina to leather. Excellent
Brass
Vintage Leather and Brass Papers Holder By Gucci 1980s
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Gucci Leather and Brass Papers Holder from the 1980s is a refined and opulent accessory
Brass
Sold
H 22 in W 1.65 in D 0.45 in
Gucci Milano 1970 Shoe Horn with Handle in Leather and Stainless Steel
By Gucci
Located in Miami, FL
Shoe horn designed by Gucci. Very elegant shoehorn, created in Milano Italy by the house of
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage Monogram Gucci Portfolio
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rare vintage leather Monogram Gucci portfolio with original key. Brown designer vintage Gucci
Leather, Canvas
Vintage 1970s Gucci Blotter
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
Newly recovered in blue pony hair with original black leather and original hardware. Stamped on
Metal
Vintage Gucci Book Ends 1980s
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Vintage Gucci Book Ends from the 1980s are stylish and luxurious accessories designed to hold
Brass
Vintage Gucci Pen Holder 1970
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare Pen holder by Gucci 1970s.
Chrome
Gucci Italy Wallet and Credit Card Holder with Embossing
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful and new Credit Card wallet that easily can hold from4-8 cards and cash... small, compact and easy to carry. a lovely new piece.
Leather
Vintage Moroccan Green Leather Hand Tooled Embossed Portfolio
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage leather Moroccan portfolio. Green and gold vintage Moroccan leather hand tooled leather
Leather, Canvas
Handsome Gucci Leather Desk Set
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a great looking Gucci Desk Set. The styling is simple and elegant with brass and lizard
Brass
Gucci Leather and Brass Trimmed Fold-Out Writing Desk Blotter
By Gucci
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful leather desktop blotter by Gucci in Moroccan-red with brass wraparound trim and raised
Brass
70'S Gucci Leather Python & Semi Precious Header Two-Piece Desk Blotter
By Gucci
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1970'S extremely rare Gucci black leather & snake with semi precious cased acrylic header detail
Malachite
Sold
H 4.38 in Dm 3.88 in
Vintage Gucci Bamboo and Leather and Gold Gilt Desk Accessory Pen Holder Cup
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Gucci desk accessory made from bamboo and leather with the gold gilt Gucci signature on
Leather, Bamboo
Equestrian Gucci Desk Set
Located in New York, NY
Equestrian themed Gucci desk set in amazing condition. Bookends, ashtray, and pen holder.
Brass
Masculine Gucci Desk Set in Black Leather
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice set
Gucci Folding Desk Set
By Aldo Gucci
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a handsome accessory for your desk, its ready for a new address book or note pad.
Leather, Wood
$1,248Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.35 in W 5.12 in D 3.35 in
Flavio Poli Murano Sommerso Smoked Grey Faceted Glass Box, Italy 1950
By Flavio Poli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Sommerso faceted Murano lidded box in grey and clear glass. Attributed to Flavio Poli, Italy, 1950s. Rectangular faceted box in grey glass submerged into clear gla...
Glass, Art Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Planter, Willy Guhl
By Willy Guhl
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Elegant outdoor pot/jardiniere, in an exceptionally rare and sought after version, by the legendary Swiss designer Willy Guhl. Formed in a charming jar design and with fantastic weat...
Cement
GUCCI Set of Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Gucci set of magnifying glass and letter opener made of solid brass / Made in Italy Original mark on the item / comes in original box length 4.7 inches / magnifying glass dia...
Brass
Exceptional Italian Alligator Desk Set Pristine Condition
Located in Buchanan, MI
An Italian alligator desk set comprising a blotter, a letter rack, a letter tray, a desk pad, a pen stand, a desk clock with Roman numeral hours, a calendar stand, two magnifying gla...
Leather
$1,650
H 27 in W 17.5 in D 17 in
Small Vintage Modernist Chrome Cantilever Chair in Leopard Print Fabric
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Amityville, NY
A small round modernist style tubular chrome cantilever chair in new leopard or cheetah animal print velvet. Brand new upholstery in Brunschwig & Fils Madeleine’s Leopard Velvet in B...
Chrome
Vintage Wood Pen Holder and Lighter, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage wood pen holder and lighter is an original object realized in the 1970s. Original wood and metal. Made in Italy. The set includes: a geometrical pen holder and a sim...
Metal
$75,500 / set
H 87 in W 119 in D 18 in
Grand Mastercraft Designed Three Part Brass & Glass Vitrines or Curio Cabinets
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Architecturally-inspired this breathtaking three part brass Curved China cabinet set by Mastercraft, inviting drama into any space. Dedicated to creating hand-constructed furnishings...
Brass
Travertine Pedestal Cone Side Table
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introduce monumental elegance and a grounded detail to your interior with the stunning beige travertine CONE side table. The sculptural geometric shape of this contemporary design pi...
Travertine
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases. Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Brass
$22,984
H 28.75 in W 15.75 in D 8.67 in
Rare 19th Century Italian Memento Mori Bust / Sculpture Carrara Marble Vanitas
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas / Memento Mori bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with masterfully carved hood & robes all from one...
Carrara Marble
Lawson Table Clock
By Lawson Time Inc.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early cyclometer digital clock housed in a wonderful architectural case. Exceptional condition with the exception of a small corner chip to the onyx base. The clock is in worki...
Onyx, Silver Plate, Brass
Bamboo/Rattan and Brass Wardrobe by Dal Vera, Italy, 1970s
By Vittorio Bonacina, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Dal Vera
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Description: This beautiful vintage wardrobe, crafted by Dal Vera in Italy during the 1960s, is a striking example of mid-century modern design with a naturalistic touch. Showcasing...
Brass
Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
By Hermès
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Hermes Paris magnifying glass desk accessory with domed lens ensconced in a silver frame with a belt design. We've left the oxidation and patina untouched and simply added a ...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Late 20th Century Asian Gilt Crane Folding Screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An incredible vintage Asian folding screen. A stunning composition of flying cranes on a brilliant gilt background. Monumental in size and drama. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Wood, Paint
$1,207
H 2.76 in W 0.99 in D 0.48 in
Cartier 18ct Gold Plate Rare Bark Design Cigarette Lighter In Cartier Box
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant and Stylish Rare Cartier Briquet Bark Design Gas Gold Plated Cigarette Lighter Cased With Original Box No.7406489 Serviced in Working Order, Made in Paris, France Cartier...
Metal, Gold Plate
Vintage Italian Brass Letter Envelope Box Pop Art Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This ever so chic and obscure vintage Italian brass box is simply a pop art design of a form of an opened up envelope that is a box. it is from the late 60's or early 70's. It has be...
Brass
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
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.