The eclectic furnishings of Maitland-Smith celebrate artisan skills in an age of machines. Hand-carved woodwork, inlaid marquetry, painted detailing, gilding and lost wax casting lend the company’s decorative accents an artistic flair. Focused on pieces that add a dynamic flourish to an interior by incorporating tactile materials like leather, seashell inlays and crushed eggshell, the manufacturer draws inspiration across centuries, from the curvy forms of the Louis XV period to the geometric angles of mid-century modernism.
Paul Maitland-Smith established the company in Hong Kong in 1979, after getting his start in London in the 1950s as an antique dealer who also sold reproduction furniture, something that would become a Maitland-Smith specialty. The manufacturer’s early reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture included Chippendale dining chairs, and soon afterward, Maitland-Smith expanded into a range of decorative designs that often exuded a whimsical spirit, whether a coffee table shaped like a stack of books or a pair of decorative obelisks. Maitland-Smith’s signature sculptural table lamps in particular show off this playful sensibility, with one balancing a pen-shell shade on a monkey’s tail and another taking on the form of a miniature hot-air balloon.
Since its founding, Maitland-Smith’s sourcing has been based in Asia, and although Paul Maitland-Smith later sold the company that still bears his name and is now headquartered in North Carolina, the brand’s furnishings are still largely made in Cebu, Philippines.
Today, Maitland-Smith continues to innovate on its finely crafted offerings by collaborating with contemporary designers and studios such as Tony Duquette Studios (founded by set and costume designer Tony Duquette in 1941), Celerie Kemble and painter and textile designer Susan Hable Smith.
Find a wide range of Maitland-Smith furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Maitland Smith Leather Desktop Book Paperweight Bronze Butterfly Figurine
By Maitland Smith
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming vintage Mid-Century Modern leather desktop book paperweight with a butterfly from Maitland Smith. Both form and function best describe this piece. We see this decorative obj...
Bronze
Vintage Brass Turtle on Faux Book Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique vintage brass turtle on faux book paperweight, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 5.25"W x 3.5"D x 3"H. The ...
Brass
Vintage Lalique Frosted Glass Tang Horse Figurine or Paperweight
By Lalique
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine french glass figurine or paperweight. By Lalique. Designed by Marie-Claude Lalique in the 1980s. In the form of a Tang Dynasty horse with cropped tail and mane. The horse in frosted glass and the rectangular base and negative space (between legs) in clear glass. With an original Lalique Paris sticker and etched "Lalique Ⓡ France" signature. Simply a wonderful Lalique horse...
Glass
$500
H 4 in W 3.5 in D 4.63 in
Murano Black Gold Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Snail Figurine Paperweight
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual, Murano hand blown jet black with gold and silver flecks Italian art glass snail paperweight figurine. The piece has an original clear and gold label that reads “Vetreria Venier Murano...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight with Butterflies, Made in Italy
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Ceramic
Postmodern Murano Glass Amber Bird Figurine Paperweight
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful bird figurine or paperweight is made in sommerso technique; amber colored glass gather with swirls of light-colored glass ribbons is cased over with clear glass. Controlled...
Art Glass, Glass, Murano Glass
Art Glass Sommerso Blue Bird Paperweight Figurine
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Abstract blue art glass bird figurine was hand blown in sommerso technique, with flue and white speckled gather of colored glass encased in clear glass. Minimal, sculptural tail and...
Art Glass
Vintage hand tooled leather parchment book by Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage hand tooled leather parchment book by Maitland Smith. This book has light brown hand toed leather binding with a coat of ...
Leather
Maitland Smith Tooled Leather Wedding Photo Album Scrap Book 16"
By Maitland Smith
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century Maitland Smith tooled leather memories photo album scrap book with wooden spine and stamped gilt details. Front of cover incorporates an oval photo space with an or...
Leather
Egyptian Revival Sphinx Inkwell by Maitland Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival inkwell desk set featuring a tomb form stamp box with a sphinx mounted on either side. The front section has a recessed pen tray. The piece is made of...
Marble, Brass
Desktop Book or Mail holder by John Lloyd Wright
By (after) Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Desktop book or mail holder by John Lloyd Wright (December 12, 1892 – December 20, 1972). This was part of the many furnishings designed by John Lloyd Wright’s House for Mr. Yager Cantwell (1962-63) in Rancho Santa Fe. John Lloyd Wright was an architect and toy inventor (most notably Lincoln Logs...
Wood
$600Sale Price|60% Off
H 6 in W 14 in D 19 in
Vintage Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival Tessellated Marble Inkwell
By Maitland Smith
Located in Waxahachie, TX
This exquisite Vintage Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival Tessellated Marble Inkwell is an impressive piece of craftsmanship that seamlessly blends function with artistic beauty. Its de...
Stone, Brass
Vintage Clear Art Glass Bird Penguin Paperweight Figurine With Bubbles
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Clear Art Glass Bird Penguin Paperweight Figurine With Bubbles. Clear Controlled Bubble Standing Penguin Bird Animal Art Glass Figurine Paperweight. Collectible Blown Clear G...
Art Glass