Vintage Rolling Ball Clock

Whether burnished or lacquered, antique, new and vintage brass furniture can elevate a room.

From traditional spaces that use brass as an accent — by way of brass dining chairs or brass pendant lights — to contemporary rooms that embrace bold brass decor, there are many ways to incorporate the golden-hued metal.

“I find mixed metals to be a very updated approach, as opposed to the old days, when it was all shiny brass of dulled-out silver tones,” says interior designer Drew McGukin. “I especially love working with brass and blackened steel for added warmth and tonality. To me, aged brass is complementary across many design styles and can trend contemporary or traditional when pushed either way.”

He proves his point in a San Francisco entryway, where a Lindsey Adelman light fixture hangs above a limited-edition table and stools by Kelly Wearstler — also an enthusiast of juxtapositions — all providing bronze accents. The walls were hand-painted by artist Caroline Lizarraga and the ombré stair runner is by DMc.

West Coast designer Catherine Kwong chose a sleek brass and lacquered-parchment credenza by Scala Luxury to fit this San Francisco apartment. “The design of this sideboard is reminiscent of work by French modernist Jean Prouvé. The brass font imbues the space with warmth and the round ‘portholes’ provide an arresting geometric element.”

Find antique, new and vintage brass tables, case pieces and other furnishings now on 1stDibs.

Whether you’re working on-site or giving your home office the makeover it deserves, a new, vintage or antique table clock or desk clock is a decorative touch that blends ornament and functionality. Who says that a unique desk clock isn’t a meaningful addition to your home office or library? And who says you don’t need a cool clock anymore?

While our means for telling time have evolved from pocket watches to wristwatches and finally to our digital phones, there is likely still a place for a table clock or desk clock in your life, even if it isn’t a modern desk clock.

Antique and vintage clocks appeal to our penchant for nostalgia, whisking us back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries, when clockmakers were busying themselves with designs for objects such as mantel clocks, then ornate pieces that were typically displayed on top of a fireplace. Tabletop clocks and desk clocks are variations on the carriage clock, a small, portable timepiece outfitted with a hinged carrying handle that garnered popularity as the growth of rail travel took shape.

Clocks make great collectibles. More than one mantel clock in your home library is going to elevate the space where your carefully curated stacks of books live, while a well-designed small decorative desk clock can be a fun way to express your personal style. Amid your inkwell, porcelain paperweights and other desk accessories, a desk or table clock designed during the Art Deco or Louis XVI eras, for example, is going to stand out in your workspace as a striking accent.

Since new, vintage and antique tabletop and desk clocks are not as common in today’s interiors, these objects will make a statement in yours. Find a spectacular clock on 1stDibs now.