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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Color:  Silver
Color:  Yellow
Antique Sterling Silver Inkwell England 1905
Located in Stamford, CT
Handsome sterling silver antique inkwell has a lovely, simple design and was made by William Harrison Walter, circa 1905. It has a high polished profile, with a hinged lid and is wei...
Category

Early 20th Century English Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Modernist Italian 800 Silver Desk/Jewellery Box c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A great looking box, Italian in origin made from 800 silver wrapped around a wooden interior. Both the base and lid are hallmarked "800" together with an additional mark "833 F1"....
Category

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

Materials

Silver

Set of Two Handcrafted Silver Plate Scissors with Steel Blade, Sweden
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful silver plated set off two Scissors, vintage Sweden. Nice addition to every table. Some patina, but this is old-age. Found at an Estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden.
Category

20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Antique Victorian 1898 Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand by John Grinsell & Sons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver fox inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular form. This inkstand is fitted with a gallery, embellished with impressive pierced and applied scrolling foliate ornamentation. The shaped, incurved rims of the body and anterior rim of the sterling silver inkstand are ornamented with a paralleling applied gadroon decorated border. The surface of the fox silver inkstand incorporates a concave oval pen receiver. The body of the inkstand incorporates two ink bottle receivers flanking a rectangular stamp box. The impressive hallmarked ink bottles each have a tapering cylindrical form and are embellished with further pierced scrolling foliate ornamentation; these ink bottles secure to the stand with a screw fitment to the underside. Each ink bottle is fitted with a plain domed hinged cover and opens to allow access to the original glass liner. The central sterling silver stamp box...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver Dartboard Presentation Trophy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual antique George V English sterling silver Art Deco presentation trophy in the form of dartboard; part of our silverware collection. This exceptional and unusual antique sterling silver trophy has been crafted in the form of a Yorkshire or Kent doubles dartboard*. The face of the dartboard clearly depicts the appropriately numbered segments and the wirework spider. This fine George V trophy is supported by an ebonised wood mount and an Art Deco style angular ebonised wooden base. The base displays six hallmarked vacant presentation plaques; each plaque may be engraved with a personal inscription if so desired. The posterior surface of the wooden mount is plain. * This variation of dart board does not incorporate a triple ring, only the double and bullseye. "By the late 1920s a standardised dartboard was introduced and remains the most popular dartboard today across the world. However, the 'standard' dartboard (also known as the 'London' or 'Clock' board) was not an overnight success in the UK. Initially it had to compete with other different existing target boards played on in some localities. These have come to be known as 'regional dartboards' and were usually named after their region of origin, for example, the Yorkshire Doubles board, Kent Doubles, the London Fives and the Manchester Board" - Patrick Chaplin PhD (Darts Historian) Condition This unusual antique trophy...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

1980s Sterling Silver Swan Letter Opener
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver letter opener; an addition to our diverse ornamental collection This exceptional vintage Elizabeth II cast sterling silver letter opener has a sabre shaped form. The arched terminal of this letter opener has been realistically modelled in the form of a swan's neck and head. Condition This vintage sterling silver letter...
Category

1980s Great Britain (UK) Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Victorian Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass match striker, an addition to our ornamen...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set Tronador Large Mini Boxes, Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx

20th Century Silver Plate Pocket Emptier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful 20th century silver plate pocket emptier. Refined finely chiseled decorations. Perfect for embellishing a desk with class.
Category

1930s English Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Very Rare Edwardian Sterling Silver & Shagreen Desk Set, London, 1910
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1910 by Samuel Jacob, this incredible antique sterling silver & Shagreen desk set, comprises a pair of candlesticks, an ink stand and a pen tray, all featurin...
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Letter Opener or Paper Cutter in Silver Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Letter opener in silver bronze. Silver plated bronze letter opener 35/42 microns. Measures: L: 218 mm, weight: 118 gr. This letter opener is the handmade work of French desig...
Category

2010s French Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Jean Filhos for Christofle Silvered Bronze Erotic Letter Opener Nude, 1974 Franc
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury silvered erotic letter opener or bookmark with nudes by the French artist Jean Filhos, (1921-2002) This model was created as the official 1974 ...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has a naturalistic-shaped form. The surface of the stand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral ornamentation, incorporating a scroll bordered cartouche bearing the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an elephant's head. The stand is further ornamented with scrolling designs encompassing an oval recess, composing a pen well. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand...
Category

1840s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set Four Turn-Dishes Silver Plated Leaves
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
What to put in place of the usual placemats to embellish the table ? Four ivy garlands, but silvered ! to illuminate the table and make it more precious. Invented by an Italian. ref...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian International Style Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Letter Opener or Paper Cutter in Silver Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Letter opener in silver bronze Silver plated bronze letter opener 35/42 microns Measures: L: 218 mm, weight: 118 gr This letter opener is the handmade work of French designer...
Category

2010s French Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Silver Chiseled Round Box, Hommage Collection, Canning Pattern
Located in VIC-LA-GARDIOLE, FR
This round box is part of the "Hommage" (tribute) collection, a line of stationery and office accessories designed and hand-manufactured by Carole Serny, whose aesthetics highlights ...
Category

2010s French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Paper Clip
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sterling silver paper holder/clip; does it get any more unique than this? Have you ever seen one before? We haven’t and we’re thrilled to be offering it. A practical and chic way ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Gimbal Table Lighter (1910)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine, and impressive, antique George V English sterling silver gimbal table lighter; an addition to our smoking related silverware collection This exceptional antique George V sterling silver table lighter has a globular form to a rounded composite handle. The surface of the piece is plain and embellished with the contemporary bright cut engraved initial 'H' beneath a Baron's coronet. The center of this antique silver table lighter...
Category

1910s English Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Danese Milano Koro Wastepaper Basket in Silver by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Koro is a waste paper basket intended for the workplace and in public spaces. The cylindrical form is made of injection-moulded polypropylene. Enzo Mari is one of the masters of I...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Naturalistic Victorian Sterling Silver Ink Stand, Charles & George Fox, 1846
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1846 by Charles & George Fox, this charming, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver ink stand, features an ornate scroll ...
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Photo Frame with Pink Quartz Flowers, Gratitude Round
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Gratitude round is a unique wonderful photo frame recto-verso, decorated both front and back, design signed Laura G Art with Heart. The photo frame is hand braided in golden silver and it carries pink quartz flowers...
Category

2010s Italian Romantic Desk Accessories

Materials

Quartz, Silver

WMF Art Nouveau Silver Plate 3 Piece Desk Set Stamp Holder Blotter Pen Tray
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Circa 1900 German manufactured by WMF "Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik". A three-piece Art Nouveau desk set includes a "rocking" blotter, 5" x 2.5"; a pen tray, 9.75" x 2.25", and a hinged stamp...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Glass Inkstand / Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form. This Victorian inkstand...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Art Noveau Inkwell, France, 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Glass inkwell with silver art nouveau iris flowers. France 1900 ca.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Murano Vintage Yellow Heart Glass With Bubbles Paperweight Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous and happy vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern hand blown glass Murano paperweight and desk accessory has a sensual form in the shape of a heart. The light yellow color w...
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Small Rail Paper Weight Fragment in Bright Sunshine Yellow
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small cut off, a fragment, of a smaller size rail link, newly powder-coated in bright sunshine yellow.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Kosta Boda Yellow Crystal Candle Holder by Anna Ehrner, 1990's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Kosta Boda crystal yellow "Atoll" votive Tealight candle holder designed by Anna Ehrner, 1990s. With characteristic craftsmanship and good design, and an ongoing commitment to avant-...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845
Located in Madrid, ES
Scribe with three inkwells. Silver. Real Martínez silver factory, Madrid, 1845. With contrast marks. Notary of silver in its color composed of a rectangular tray with raised and op...
Category

1840s Spanish Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
Silvered metal letter opener with handle mimicking deer antlers.
Category

1960s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Metal

19th Oval Apparatus Salver in Yellow Metal
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian OVAL Apparatus SALVER 19th Century In yellow metal, relief decoration with plant elements and masks, "mythological scene" medallion. Signs of use. Dimensions: 69.5 x 55.5 ...
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Hermes, Paris, Equestrian Horse Head Magnifying Glass c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent and grand vintage desk-top magnifying glass / loupe made with it's beautifully cast Hermes Horse head handle, lovely quality to be expected from this most famous of lux...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Small Silver Plated Canister with Hinged Lid
Located in Sheffield, MA
The small vintage silver plated canister or storage box has a fully hinged lid.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Monogramed Inkwell, Scotland 1897, H552
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Monogramed Inkwell, Scotland 1897, H552 Scotland "1897" Shaped pen holder on the back Cut glass inkwell with silver plated lid Standing on a square b...
Category

1890s Scottish Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian Photo Frame Yellow White Plexi , Sharing Yellow Round
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Sharing round yellow is a unique multiples edition of Art with Heart collection of pop recto-verso photo frames by Laura G Italy. It is beautiful wherever you look at it, its surface...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plexiglass

Tiffany & Co. Silver-Soldered Stamp Box and Cover
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany & Co. Silver-soldered stamp box and cover. Early 20th. Century. Of slightly-curved rectangular form. 3 by 2 1/4 in., Weighted.
Category

20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Cranberry Glass Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Victorian English sterling silver and red cranberry glass inkwell; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver inkwell has a circular shaped domed form. The body of this exceptional antique inkwell is embellished with impressive pierced and embossed scrolling leaf decoration, accented with pensile, baluster style bead motifs. The ornamentation to the body incorporates five oval cartouches; four are ornamented with an embossed male profile: two bearded males and two in a soldier's helmet. The cartouche to the anterior surface of the inkwell features the contemporary engraved crest of a stag encompassed with a garter and the motto 'God and my Honour'. The intricate sterling silver body of the inkwell incorporates five conical shaped pen receivers. The swept waisted upper portion of this antique inkwell is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, ornamented with engraved simplified leaf decoration. The cover is surmounted with an impressive embossed three-dimensional bust of a male figure in robes. This antique inkwell retains the original and substantial red cranberry glass ink bottle liner, with a cut glass star motif to the underside; the cranberry glass liner is highly desirable. This exceptional silver and glass inkwell is supported by five swept feet, ornamented with a continuation of scrolling leaf and circular motif decoration from the body. This exceptional example of Victorian silverware, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell II, is the finest example of its type Condition This antique ink bottle...
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set Tronador Medium Mini Boxes, Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx

Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
Silvered magnifying glass with handle mimicking deer antlers.
Category

1960s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Metal

Asprey & Co. Ltd Antique Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Desk Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique George V cut-glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell made by Asprey & Co; part of our antique silver and glassware collection. This fine antique George V cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell has a plain cuboid form with rounded corners. The neck of the antique glass inkwell is encircled with an impressive silver mount and fitted with a compressed circular hinged hallmarked sterling silver cover. The cover opens to reveal the removable glass ink liner. The interior of the cover retains the original gilt interior. The impressive glass body of this inkwell is embellished with hobnail style deep cut glass ornamentation to the underside. This fine example of antique silverware has been crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Asprey & Co Ltd. Dimensions: Height to top of cover 10cm/3.9" Width 11.3cm/4.4" square Diameter of liner 2.5cm/1" Height of liner 2.8cm/1.1" Condition: This antique glass inkwell is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The inkwell has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition. The glass is in perfect condition. Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the mount have wear but remain legible. The part hallmarks to the interior of the cover are all very clear. Maker: Asprey & Co Ltd Date: 1921 Origin: London, England Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this example of antique glassware...
Category

1920s English Other Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Italian Brass Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A simple and elegant Italian Brass letter opener with a silver plate blade. The styling of this piece is very simple and sophisticated - a compliment to any desk or work station and ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Aesthetic Ornate Grape Shears, Sterling Silver by Gorham Silversmiths, circa 1
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic ornate grape shears -- sterling silver by Gorham Silversmiths, circa 1870. Steel reinforcement blades are attached to the sterling blades. Measures: length: 6 1/2"; width, 2 1/2" at handles. Weight: 5.8 troy ounces, approximately. These heavy cast shears were carefully maintained, with all of the intricate detailing still intact. During the heyday of American silver manufacturing, Gorham was highly influential. The White House has used Gorham silver services during many administrations. Mary Todd Lincoln...
Category

1870s American Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and glass match striker; an addition to our ornamental collection. This exceptional antique glass and silver match striker...
Category

1910s British Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Monumental Edwardian Sterling Silver Ink Stand - Egyptian Revival - Garrard 1908
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1908 by Garrard & Co., this monumental Antique, Sterling Silver Ink Stand, is the epitome of Egyptian Revival taste, ...
Category

Early 1900s English Egyptian Revival Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

1870 T. Elkington Silver Plated Victorian British Inkwell
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Amazing silver plated inkwell by T. Elkington, marked on the bottom, good conditions overall, original glass.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Thomas Wheatley Newcastle Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique George IV Newcastle sterling silver inkstand made by Thomas Wheatley; an addition to our orn...
Category

1820s English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Carl Aubock Art-Deco Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Pre-War Production, Early 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Art-Deco Salt and pepper shaker set. Prewar production - very early 30s. The body of the shakers (apple and pear) is made of coloured Bakelite, the stems are of silver plated brass....
Category

1930s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Edwardian Period Sterling Silver Card Tray, J.E. Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian period, sterling silver card tray, J.E. Caldwell and Company, Philadelphia, circa 1915. Fluted design. Vacant cartouche. Measures 6...
Category

1910s American Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Vintage Half Giant Dunhill Aquarium Table Lighter, Circa 1950
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare silver plated Dunhill Aquarium table lighter, Vintage mid-20th century very large "half-giant" size, the perspex body ...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Yellow Porcelain Coffee or Tea Cup Saucer Set with Tulip Flowers
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful hand-painted porcelain tulip flower coffee or tea cup and saucer set, circa early 20th century, Japan. Japan is known for its fine porcelain. Better than any paper cup...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Arts & Crafts Large Solid Silver Photo Frame, c.1907
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
20th century Arts & Crafts, hand hammered silver photograph frame, mounted on a leather bound easel support and set with glass, top with a shield shaped cartouche, engraved with elab...
Category

20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Walker & Hall Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and glass inkwell made by Walker and Hall, part of our antique silver and glassware collection. This exceptional antique George V English sterling silver inkwell has a hexagonal shaped, waisted form. The shaped surface of this impressive antique inkwell is plain and unembellished, with applied iconic Art Deco style tiered designs to the either side of the base. The elevated anterior edge of the base composes a pen receiver. This Walker and Hall inkwell is fitted with an impressive flat topped hinged hallmarked sterling silver cover. The cover opens to reveal a sunken well and removable glass ink liner. The underside of the inkwell is fitted with the original wood base. Condition This antique Walker...
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
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 ...
Category

1960s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Plated and Clear Glass Ink Well by Walker and Hall
Located in Cheshire, GB
A silver-plated and clear glass ink well and stand, shaped square plated Stand with gadroon borders raised on four claw and ball feet supporting square ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Set of Bridge Pencils, English, Sterling Silver, Games, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage set of bridge pencils. An English, sterling silver cased gaming accessory, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Graceful presentation and superb finish pe...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

20th Century Sterling Silver Galleried Double Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver galleried double inkstand; an addition to our ornamental office silverware collection This exceptional...
Category

1910s English Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

20th Century Novelty Smokers Compendium Plane J A Henckels Germany Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
20th Century Novelty Smokers Compendium Plane J A Henckels Germany Circa 1930. A wonderful smokers compendium in the form of an aeroplane by maker J.A Henckels. A beautiful showp...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Nickel

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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