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Desk Accessories For Sale
Large Antique Walnut Perpetual Desk Calendar. English, C.1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A fabulous walnut desk calendar Lovely colour of wood Good condition. All text and numbers complete Free UK shipping   
Category

1890s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Venezia Mestre Set of 2 Bookends by Morici
Located in Milan, IT
A splendid way of adorning both a clean and minimalist or traditional bookcase, this pair of bookends is a veritable objet d'art entirely crafted and veneered by hand. Fashioned of w...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Vintage 1930s Remington Typewriter in Original Case
Located in Torquay, GB
Exceptional vintage typewriter by Remington Inc. USA. circa 1930s. Offered in original leather storage case and in fine working condition. The typewriter has a skeletal frame and can...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Rare Adjustable Wrought Iron Desk or Piano Lamp Amsterdamse School, ca. 1910s
Located in Lisse, NL
Adjustable wrought iron desk lamp with counterweight, Dutch expressionist ca. 1920. A rare architectural gem from the golden era of Dutch design. This adjustable wrought iron table or piano lamp, dating from the early 1920s, is an exceptional example of the Amsterdamse School movement, famed for its expressive forms, honest materials, and integration of function and sculpture. Crafted entirely by hand, the lamp features a sophisticated three-position height adjustment system via a striking counterweight mechanism, a feat of engineering as elegant as it is utilitarian. The heavy forged iron frame displays bold geometric detailing and honest craftsmanship typical of the movement, with meticulous hammer marks and subtle asymmetry that celebrate the hand of the maker. While unsigned, the design language speaks clearly to the school of Piet Kramer and the greater network of Amsterdamse School designers, whose influence extended into municipal buildings, interiors, and custom furnishings throughout the Netherlands in the 1910s and '20s. This is not just lighting, this is architecture in miniature. The not original hide-like-fabric of the lamp shade is no longer in perfect condition, but it certainly still is good enough to use on this desk lamp. With this rare lamp you can create the perfect atmosphere on your desk or on any (side)table in your living room, (home) office or library / reading room. If you like the uniqueness, the quality, the beauty, the workmanship, the condition and the deeper meaning of this sculptural table lamp as much as we do then you will love our price. Especially when taken into account that perfect packing and also worldwide delivery from our store to your door in just 4 to 5 days are complimentary. Maximum height adjustable x width x depth: 14,5 till 21 x 5.7 x 13.5 inches. *Styling Tips: Art Deco or Bauhaus furnishings as counterpoints. Or let it stand solo, like a sculptural presence on a console or credenza. We are driven by a passion for uniqueness, timeless, quality, stylish design, and the enduring craftsmanship of the past. Every purchase is carefully and thoughtfully packed — and we look forward to serving you (again). To explore all our 1000+ listings, simply click the button labeled 'View All From Seller’. Warm regards, Henk and the Studio Team Tags: Amsterdamse School lamp...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Wrought Iron

Olivetti Typewriter Vintage Model "Valentine" 1969 Pop Art Icoon
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Olivetti Valetine is an icon for its expressive design and practical usability portable, manual typewriter known for its typical red ABS plastic housing and matching red case. Th...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Pen & Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Made in Paris, France Item Is Sold With Original Red & Gold Leather Box, Red & Gold Leather. Cartier pe...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Solid Carved Malchite Head Sculpture or Paperweight
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Very heavy Solid carved Malchite head sculpture Paperweight.
Category

1950s Beninese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Antique Vintage Lady's Gentleman's Snakewood Wooden Walking Stick Dress Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Stylish Fine Quality Polished Grained Rare Snake Wood Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Cane of substantial quality and good weight very suitable to use as an everyday stick, with a...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Hardwood

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Blue Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Cartier 18ct Gold Nib Black Godron Ribbed Fountain Pen With Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier 18ct Gold Nib Louis Black Godron Ribbed Fountain Pen With Cartier Box, Finished With An Onyx Cabochon Manufactured by Montblanc The pen is made from a black composite Pen n...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate

MCM Green Singer Sewing Machine in Cabinet
Located in Norton, MA
Quality made with elegant design from the Mid-Century Modern Singer Sewing Machine and Table Cabinet, all original components and all in good condition with the good working function...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Machiche

Marble Solitaire Game with hardwood board and 33 agate stone Marbles, Circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good and complete board game of Marble Solitaire,with a hand turned hardwood board and 33 agate stone marbles, which we date to the Art Deco period of the 20th Century...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Agate

A 18ct Gold Nib Must de Cartier Platinum Cased Trinity Fountain Pen
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Trinity Fountain Pen With Box This Must de Cartier fountain pen has a body in engine turned silver metal with gadroon motif. Finished with th...
Category

1980s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Silver Plate

Very Rare Antique Baccarat Glass Paperweight with complex Millefiori
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very Rare and Elegant Antique Baccarat Glass Paperweight with complex Millefiori, made in France probably during the 1870s. (Not signed) Beauti...
Category

1870s French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Art Deco Bakelite Desk Writing Accessory, 5 pieces in box, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco Bakelite desk accessories writing set dates from the 1930s. The set is built of five pieces in its original box: a letter opener, paper cutter, pen holder, mec...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

CHANEL Snow Globe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
CHANEL winder holiday snow globe featuring Chanel gift bags, boxes, and N.5 perfume bottle / Made in France This comes in original box Diameter: 4 inches / Height: 5.5 inches 1 avail...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Pattern Bronze and Slag Glass Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze and slag glass "Grapevine" pattern dresser box, desk box, jewelry box, or decorative box ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Black Vendome Trinity Rollerball Pen & Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated & Black Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Made in Paris, France Item Is Sold With Original Red & Gold Leather Box.
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter corners featuring symbols of the Zodiac, with a custom green leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Rollerball Pen & Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Complete With Cartier Box & Guarantee Card. Made in Paris, France Cartier pens are designed by Cartier,...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Pair of Blue Geode Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
An impressive pair of blue geode bookends with a long history. Brightly colored with naturally formed patterns caused by fossilization over hundreds of years. Finished with a highly ...
Category

20th Century American Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Minimalist Desk Lamp Robert Sonneman, '80s
Located in New York, NY
A designer black desk, task, or nightstand table lamp/light, Minimalist design period, 1988. Lamp is by designer Robert Sonneman for Robert Kovacs maker. With designer and makers' ma...
Category

1980s American Minimalist Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Vintage Pair of Plaster Lamb / Sheep Bookends by Borghese of Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage pair of plaster lamb / sheep bookends by Borghese of Italy, circa 1970s.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Plaster

Carl Auböck Model #4327 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Beaver + Tapley Multi-width Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: England Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Beaver + Tapley Era: 1960s Materials: Mahogany Measurements: 30″ wide x 11″ deep x 40″ tall Desk: 28.5” wide x 14” deep x 27.5” tall ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Mahogany

Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Ribbed Trinity Ballpoint Pen in Original Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Ribbed Trinity Ballpoint Pen in Original Cartier Box, Made In Paris, Comes With Red Cartier Presentation Box Cartier pens are designed by Cartier, & are man...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Glass Vintage Pink Bathroom Set, France, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This beautiful light pink ceramic bathroom set is in very good vintage condition. An elegant addition to a Classic bathroom. Only one unique set. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Vintage Red Swivel Desk Storage Organizer by Rino Pirovano for Art 900
Located in East Quogue, NY
This vintage red swivel desk organizer, designed by Rino Pirovano for Rexite in the mid-1970s, is a celebrated example of Italian design. Made of ABS plastic, it features four rotati...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Unusual Unger Brothers Sterling Jester Letter Opener
Located in Riverdale, NY
Rare and Unusual Unger Brothers Jester Sterling Letter Opener from the 1900's. Wonderful detailing and unusual subject matter. 1900 USA. 9.5" x 1.85" x 1.25".
Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cartier 18ct Gold Plated & Red Lacquered Ballpoint With Red Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier 18ct Gold Plated & Red Lacquered Ballpoint With Red Cartier Box Stunning Example of a Must De Cartier ballpoint pen, featuring the classic trinity rings and an enamel ident ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Vintage Brown Stitched Leather Covered Telephone by Contempra 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra Stitched Leather clad tone touch Telephone, Desk or Wall Mount.Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra telephone covered in stitched brown leather.Could...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Bakelite

Einar Barnes for P. S. Heggen Handled Teak Wastepaper Basket
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Scandinavian Einar Barnes for P. S. Heggens Two Handled Teak Trash Can. Featuring a sculptural, molded Teak and Beech Plywood oval form, detailed vertical s...
Category

1960s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Beech, Teak, Plywood

Geometric Sculpture in Polished Resin Color Grape by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is ve...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4995 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by We...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Key
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With A Tooled Black Leather Scriver Slope will include A Single Glass Inkwell A vintage pen S moder...
Category

19th Century British Campaign Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

F-1 Fighter Jet Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The perfect gift for the history buff or military enthusiast in your life, this lighter is a faithfully cast in the shape of a Mirage F1 fighter jet. Manufactured in Japan and sold b...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Emilio Pucci & Hans Theo Baumann Porcelain Cig Vessel for Rosenthal Studio-Line
Located in New York, NY
A small and beautiful Hans Theo Baumann and Emilio Pucci designed porcelain vessel for Rosenthal 'Studio-Linie', Berlin, circa late 20th century, Germany. Piece is a glazed white por...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Lladró Crocodile Figurine, Glazed White and Copper
Located in New York City, NY
Crocodile in white glazed porcelain with touches of copper luster. The crocodile, from the Greek kroko –deilos meaning stone man, has been worshipped since ancient times by different...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Silver-Plate Vanity Set With Comb, Brush and Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage, never used, vanity set with a bristle brush, comb and mirror. Each piece fits neatly into a velvet carrying case with hinge closure. Each piece features an ornate silver...
Category

20th Century Late Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Otterburn Chess Table — Solid Hand-Patinated Brass and Walnut — Made in Britain
Located in Washington, GB
Commissioned by a special client as the perfect stage for their chess battles, this table is a showcase of NOVOCASTRIAN’s creative ability, of almost 10 years of experimentation, ref...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Bronze, Copper, ...

English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish Neoclassical Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

19th Century Victorian Writing Slope/ Travel Desk Box, Brass Bound, UK ca. 1815
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Impressive Victorian writing slope or travel desk - attributed to the famous company of Thompson - from the period around 1800 - 1815 in the United Kingdom. This fantastic Captain’s campaign writing slope dates back to the Napoleonic wars. Well constructed out of solid mahogany with screwed down mount re-enforcements, brass banding, and inset carrying handles at each end, this outstanding travel desk box was designed to withstand the harsh maritime life at sea. The exterior of this Victorian travel box shows an attractive mahogany grain, beautiful colour, and a lovely pleasing patina. There are a couple of old indented scars to the lid along with the usual minor surface scratching, but these imperfections confer it an absolutely unique charme. The box has a tri-fold operation, opening to reveal a secondary smaller writing surface for quick use, then opening again to reveal the main slope fitted with a green felt writing surface which is in reasonable condition and compliments the original interior. When it is completely opened you have two storage compartments underneath. The original lock works smoothly with the original key. The original interior is nicely fitted out with a dark green leather drop-down section in the lid which features four memoire pockets. This section can additionally be lowered to reveal a document wallet...
Category

Early 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Ribbed Trinity Rollerball Pen & Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Ref 2025 D1 Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Rollerball Pen & Cartier Box Made in Paris, France Item Is Sold WithA Red & Gold Leather Cartier Box Cartier ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Golf Inspired Chess Set in White Bird's-Eye Maple
Located in New York, NY
  White bird’s-eye maple and green marble chess set. Hand painted Golf chessmen.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beatiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, moustly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Luger Pistol Table Lighter, 1970s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This handsome lighter is cast in the shape of a 12 inch Luger pistol. An incredibly rare piece, perfect for any collector of smoking paraphernalia firearm enthusiast, or history buff...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian Silver Inkstand made in Madras by Peter Orr and Sons in 1880 for Presentation to the 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Governor of Madras and Convenor of the “Duke’s Ow...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Ballpoint Pen & Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Made in Paris, France Item Is Sold With Original Red & Gold Leather Box, Red & Gold Leather. Cartier pe...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Porsche Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This cast metal lighter is the perfect tabletop accessory for any race car lover, Porsche enthusiast or smoker. Relieved lettering on the spoiler reads 'Porsche 935-77 Turbo'. The Po...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Meissen Green Ming Dragon Porcelain Writing Set
Located in New York, NY
A mid-20th century hand-painted porcelain desk accessories set by Meissen Porzellan, a prominent German porcelain manufacture. Ming Dragon pattern in...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Rare 1979 Donovan Leisure NYC Cia Law Firm 50th Anniversary Brass Paperweight
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Extremely rare New York City historical relic. A fiftieth anniversary brass cubic monolith commemorative desk sculpture. Issued to monogram; AWS. Approx. 45-60 members of firm a that time, only a handful were issued this paperweight in solid Brass weighing 8 lbs. 4.2 oz. Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine was an American white-shoe law firm, located in New York. It was founded in 1929 by General William "Wild Bill...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage wooden chess set in wooden box
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia The set shows signs of use (see photo) Figures have a patina The board itself is a work of art, adorned with intricate inlaid floral patterns and bordered with...
Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Cartier Paris 1920 Art Deco Chinoiserie 18kt Desk Clock in Nephrite Jade Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Cartier. An impressive and beautiful desk clock, created in Paris France by the house of Cartier, during the art deco period, back in the 1920. This stunning rare piece has been designed with Chinoiserie patterns and carefully crafted up with parts in yellow gold of 18 karats and carved nephrite green jadeite jade. Accented with applications of navy blue enamel and fitted on top, with a hinged retractable handle. The movement is mechanical It is accompanied with the associated original key for the winding. The dial is silver with guilloche, Roman numerals with gold hands and inscribed, Cartier. Weight: 320.95 Grams, (205.74 Dwt). Measurements: 69 mm by 31 mm by 78 mm (2.72 x 1.22 x 3.07 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, five times with the head of the eagle for the assay and guaranty of the gold, two times with the maker's mark JM inside of a lozange cartouche and signed on the reverse, "CARTIER 1649". Literature: Olivier Bachet & Alain Cartier, Cartier Exceptional...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Jade, Gold, Silver, Enamel

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and geometric pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass with po...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Charoite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, substantial and rare natural purple charoite jewelry box, circa late-20th century. Charoite is rare mineral. A beautiful organic pattern graces this charoite stone;...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Chrome

Cartier Santos 18ct Gold Plated & Brushed Steel Ballpoint Pen in Original Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Santos Brushed Steel & 18ct Gold Plated Stylo Bille Must II Comes With Original Paperwork & Red Cartier Presentation Box 2003, brought from Selfridges London Cartier pens ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate, Steel

Vintage "Zero" Aluminum Attaché / Briefcase P5-SI by Haliburton - New Old Stock
By Halliburton
Located in San Diego, CA
A brand new vintage "Zero" aluminum attaché / briefcase model #P5-SI 5" Premier by Halliburton, circa 1990s. This piece is "New Old Stock (NOS)" and has never been used and comes wi...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Antique, New and Vintage Desk Accessories

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.

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