Knoll Vintage Bentwood Walnut Desk Inbox Tray
Located in Kensington, MD
Appropriately labeled on bottom. Produced by Knoll Associates, Inc.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Materials
Bentwood, Walnut
Knoll Desk Tray
Desk Accessory Designed by Florence Knoll Two-Tier Paper Tray Ebony
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a sleek desk accessory designed by Florence Knoll. Two-Tier Ebonized Walnut Paper Tray, originally designed in 1948.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Bentwood
Florence Knoll Two-Tier Ebonized Walnut Paper Tray
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paper tray designed by Florence Knoll in 1948. This two-tier paper tray is composed of ebonized molded walnut plywood. The trays rotate around a rear central post of brushed aluminum...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Aluminum Letter Tray Desk Accessory Qualiton
$450 / item
H 1.75 in W 15.75 in D 11 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Aluminum Letter Tray Desk Accessory Qualiton
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, mid-century modern walnut & aluminum letter tray, desk accessory. Retains original label, QUALITON.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Aluminum
Knoll Tray
By Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Knoll Tray for Desk or Credenza. Tray is not signed but came from Knoll Credenza.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
Vintage Modernist Paper Tray in Chrome 1970s
By Smokador, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful letter tray in polished aluminium / chrome finish with black enamel lining. In the style of Smokador. Clean and minimalist design that is timeless and classic. Unique and...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970
$650
H 5.5 in W 11 in D 15.25 in
Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970
By Florence Knoll, Annemarie Davidson
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Enamel
Recent Sales
Knoll Associates Mid-Century Wood Desk Tray
By Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
Knoll Associates early wood desk or letter tray.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Florence Knoll Black Birch Plywood Double Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
Unavailable
H 7 in W 14 in D 11.25 in
Florence Knoll Black Birch Plywood Double Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this double letter tray is made of ebonized birch plywood and was a staple of mid-century office decor. The underside of one of the two stacked tr...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Plywood
Knoll Mid Century Modern Desk Organizer Paper Tray
By Knoll
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Knoll desk organizer or paper tray in anodized brass and black.
Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Florence Knoll Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Bent plywood desktop letter tray by Knoll. Retains original label with the Herbert Matter designed big K Knoll label. Original ebonized black finish. 1960s, USA.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Florence Knoll Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a classic mid-century modern desk or table accessory designed by none other than Florence Knoll.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Bentwood
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
By Florence Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this letter tray is made of walnut plywood and was a staple of midcentury office decor. The underside bears the fabric Knoll label with 320 Park A...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Knoll Vintage Bentwood Walnut Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Knoll label and cork feet pads on bottom. Bent plywood walnut letter tray by Knoll, circa 1960.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Two-Tier Paper Filing Tray
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original Florence Knoll file tray in excellent original condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Two-Tier Maple Paper Tray
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paper tray designed by Florence Knoll in 1948. This two tier paper tray is composed of molded maple plywood. The trays rotate around a rear central post of brushed aluminum. Tray bo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Aluminum
Florence Knoll Two-Tier Ebonized Walnut Paper Tray
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paper tray designed by Florence Knoll in 1948. This two tier paper tray is composed of ebonized molded walnut plywood. The trays rotate around a rear central post of brushed aluminum...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Aluminum
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, circa 1960. This piece retains its original label to the bottom letter tray.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Esperance, NY
This is a very unique premium paper or letter tray that is now available for sale. It comes with its original Knoll tag and is an early version of the product. With its stunning desi...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Bentwood
Walnut Plywood Double Pivoting Letter Tray By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Iconic sculptural and functional desk accessory by Florence Knoll executed in walnut plywood.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
1960s Florence Knoll Pivoting Walnut Plywood Desk Tray by Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
This double pivoting desk tray was designed by American designer Florence Knoll in 1948 and is a collectable midcentury accessory.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
1960s Florence Knoll Pivoting Walnut Plywood Desk Tray by Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
This double pivoting desk tray was designed by American designer Florence Knoll in 1948 and is a collectable midcentury accessory.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury Modernist Architectural Letter Tray Tiered Walnut Wood
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a stunning mid-century modernist tiered letter file tray walnut wood and aluminum. In the style of Florence Knoll . Dimensions: 6.13" H x 10" W x 15" D. Ple...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Modernist Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist double letter tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
Florence Knoll 1960's Double Pivoting Plywood Desk Tray by Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
This double pivoting desk tray was designed by American designer Florence Knoll in 1948 and is a collectable midcentury accessory.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Macassar De Coene & Knoll Desk Coffee Table, Bar Cart
By De Coene Frères, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
A desk table with chromed steel base and parchment paper top.
Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Architectural Molded Walnut Plywood Desk Letter Tray
Sold
H 7.09 in W 11.42 in D 14.97 in
Florence Knoll Architectural Molded Walnut Plywood Desk Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Two-tier molded walnut architectural plywood letter tray by Florence Knoll. An iconic, beautiful and practical desk accessory.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory IBM
Sold
H 2 in W 11.25 in D 14.25 in
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory IBM
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this letter tray is made of walnut molded plywood and was a staple of midcentury office decor. The underside bears Knoll Associates label, pre 196...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Florence Knoll Walnut Letter Tray
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Cambridge, US
A scarce and streamlined 2-part letter tray originally designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1948.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Aluminum
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Letter tray designed by Florence Knoll for her company, Knoll. Designed in 1948. Formed bent ply walnut. Retains the original older Knoll label with Herbert Matter logo.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Walnut Plywood Letter Tray
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Letter tray designed by Florence Knoll for her company, Knoll. Designed in 1948. Formed bent ply walnut. Retains the original older Knoll label with Herbert Matter logo.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Two-Tier Filing Tray
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Stockton, NJ
A two- tier paper filing desk organizer by Florence Knoll.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Chrome Desk Organizer Letter Paper Mail Tray Stand
Sold
H 6.63 in W 10.25 in D 15.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Chrome Desk Organizer Letter Paper Mail Tray Stand
By Smokador, Knoll
Located in Wayne, NJ
Sleek Smokador Mid-Century Modern Modernist Double Chrome Desk Letter Paper Tray Stand distributed by Knoll in the 1970's.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, 1960s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, 1960s. This piece retains its original label to the bottom letter tray.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, 1960s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, 1960s. This piece retains its original label to the bottom letter tray.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
American Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Letter Desk Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible midcentury letter tray in solid walnut. Great lines and construction rounded corners with dove tail joinery.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Walnut Plywood Double Pivoting Letter Tray by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Iconic sculptural and functional desk accessory by Florence Knoll executed in walnut plywood.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll Paper Tray Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage paper tray designed by Florence Knoll in bent plywood and solid walnut frame with solid bronze bar. Stamp present underneath.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury Modernist Walnut Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible mid-century letter tray in walnut. Great lines and construction. Has a University of Nebraska inventory tag. Two available.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Modernist Double Paper Tray in Chrome by Smokador, 1970s
By Knoll, Smokador
Located in San Diego, CA
Double letter tray in polished aluminium / chrome finish with black enamel lining by Smokador. Distributed by Knoll in the 1970s. Clean and minimalist design that is timeless and cla...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Modernist Double Paper Tray in Chrome by Smokador, 1970s
By Knoll, Smokador
Located in San Diego, CA
Double letter tray in polished aluminium/ chrome finish with black enamel lining by Smokador. Distributed by Knoll in the 1970s. Clean and minimalist design that is timeless and clas...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Chrome
Chrome Dual Level Letter Tray by Hugh Acton, 1960s
By Hugh Acton, Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mid Century Chrome Dual Level Letter Tray By Hugh Acton, 1960s.
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray. circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Jens Risom Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Florence Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jens Risom walnut letter / paper tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Two Tiered Letter Tray, Circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mid century two tiered letter tray, Circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Two Tiered Letter Tray, circa 1960
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mid century two tiered letter tray, circa 1960.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Peter Pepper Oak & Chrome Letter Tray, circa 1970
By Peter Pepper Products, Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Peter Pepper Oak & Chrome letter tray / holder, circa 1970.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Chrome
Modernist Oak & Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1980
By Peter Pepper Products, Stow Davis, Knoll
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist Oak & Walnut Letter Tray, circa 1980.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
American Mid-Century Modern Walnut Modernist Paper Desk Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Single letter desk tray with solid walnut walls, circa 1970s freshly refinished, Very nice accent to any executives desk! California design.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Walnut
Early Knoll Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
Double letter tray by Knoll in Primavera wood, quite unusual as most where either walnut or black lacquer. The top tray pivots left or right.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Knoll Products Vintage In & Out Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Knoll Products In & Out two-tiered letter tray. Bent plywood in original ebonized finish. Retains Knoll label. Waxed and rubbed out to soft luster with sure-grip cork a...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Florence Knoll Black Birch Plywood Letter Tray, Office Desk Accessory
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1948, this letter tray is made of ebonized birch plywood and was a staple of midcentury office decor. The underside bears Knoll label with 320 Park Aven...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Plywood
Knoll Leather Wrapped Leather Paper Desk Tray by Smokador in Chocolate Brown
Sold
H 2.25 in W 10.75 in D 15.75 in
Knoll Leather Wrapped Leather Paper Desk Tray by Smokador in Chocolate Brown
By Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Chocolate brown leather wrapped desk tray or paper holder retailed by Knoll and manufactured by Smokador, New Jersey.
Category
1990s American More Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
Florence Knoll Double Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
very rare Florence Knoll Double Letter Tray edited by Knoll International Lit : Steven & Linda Rouland „ Knoll Furniture - 1938 - 1960 “ Schiffer , 1999 , p. 155
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Florence Knoll Double Letter Tray
By Florence Knoll
Located in Hudson, NY
Molded teak plywood pivoting double letter tray, stainless steel pin separates the two trays. Felt feet on bottom. Retains original label to bottom.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Mid-20th Century Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Pivoting Letter Tray
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Indianapolis, IN
A molded plywood pivoting letter tray designed by American designer Florence Knoll (1917-2019) for Knoll International.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
Molded Walnut Plywood Two-Tier Letter Tray by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An architectural, two-tier, molded walnut plywood letter tray by Florence Knoll. An outstanding desk accessory as beautiful and iconic as it is practical.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Pair of Knoll Stitched Leather Letter Trays by Raul de Armas & Carolyn Lu
Sold
H 4.25 in W 16.5 in D 11.13 in
Pair of Knoll Stitched Leather Letter Trays by Raul de Armas & Carolyn Lu
By Knoll
Located in Kensington, MD
Pair of Knoll stitched leather letter trays designed by Raul de Armas and Carolyn Lu for the Knoll Palio Collection.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Smokador Single Tier Chrome Letter Tray
By Knoll
Located in Alhambra, CA
Chrome and black single letter tray. Perfect for the chrome-plated executive! Dimensions: 15" D x 10,5" W x 2" H.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Metal
People Also Browsed
MCM Office Desk Paper Organizer Tray
By Industrias Ruiz Galindo SA (IRGSA)
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Mid-Century Modern desk office tray, clean design in two levels made by IRGSA, circa 1970.
Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
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Knoll Desk Tray For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the knoll desk tray you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each knoll desk tray for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, walnut and plywood. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect knoll desk tray — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. Each knoll desk tray bearing Mid-Century Modern hallmarks is very popular. Florence Knoll and Knoll each produced at least one beautiful knoll desk tray that is worth considering.
How Much is a Knoll Desk Tray?
Prices for a knoll desk tray can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $670 and can go as high as $3,100, while the average can fetch as much as $1,189.
A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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
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Smoking might have fallen out of fashion, but these ashtrays have enduring design appeal.
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Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
Tapio Wirkkala Bucked the Trends of Mid-Century Nordic Design
The Finnish talent created nature-inspired pieces, from furniture to jewelry, with phenomenal staying power.
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