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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Color:  Silver
Color:  Yellow
20th Century Italian Big Sterling Silver Magnifying Lens
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver magnifying lens Perfect for a prestigious desk. The lens frame is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls ...
Category

1990s Italian Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Count Gleichen’s shrapnel paperweight. Russian and English, 1854
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Count Gleichen’s Russian shell paperweight, the tooth shaped fragment of a Russian armament shell set above another of rectangular form both raised on a silver mount on an ebonized rectangular plinth, applied with a plaque reading ‘Two fragments of a Russian shell fired at Mr Fred Burne assist.t paymaster and Mr Henry Crave St John midshipman of H.M.S. Cumberland in Aug.t 1854 from Tsee Fort Bonarsund whilst conveying refreshments to the English camp – for their messmate – H.S.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Midshipman landed with the Naval Brigade in 1854’. With a framed caricature of Count Gleichen inscribed Vanity Fair, London, July 5, 1884. Vice Admiral H.S.H Count Gleichen – the Queen’s Nephew.Russian and English, 1854. The print has the following biography on the reverse and on the mount ‘His Serene Highness Prince Victor …. of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, is better known in England as Count Gleichen and as the Queen’s nephew. Born fifty years ago, he was sent to school at Dresden; but at the age of fourteen he conceived ideas not to be bounded within the confines of the small life of a German principality. So he ran away from school to go to sea, and his aunt the Queen of England, being informed of the fact, proposed to her sister to let her adventurous nephew become naturalised as an Englishman and enter the English Navy. This was accordingly done, and Prince Victor, as he was then called, was appointed to the Powerful on the Mediterranean Station, in 1848. He served in the Crimean War and in the operations in China he proved a popular officer and a good sailor-man, and was three times wounded in battle. In 1861 he married the daughter of Admiral Sir George Seymour, sister of the fifth Marquis of Hertford on which occasion it was that he put down his title of Prince and took up for future use that of Count. He became, in due course a Vice-Admiral, and in the meantime he also became a sculptor. It is in the latter art that he now mainly busies himself, and he has created many pleasing busts of his royal relatives and some works of greater pretensions than family portraits. An Alfred the Great, a Beaconsfield, and a Prince Imperial...
Category

1880s English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver

George III Three Bottle Inkstand Made in London in 1810 by Emes & Barnard
Located in London, GB
This spectacular piece has a shaped broad rectangular form and stands on four winged paw feet. The edge of the main body is decorated with gadrooning interspersed with raying shells,...
Category

1810s European George III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener. Perfect for a prestigious desk. The blade is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls and fl...
Category

1990s Italian Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Italian Photo Frame in Lost Wax Silver , Harmony Coral
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Harmony coral is a unique edition photo frame designed and realized by atelier Laura G for Art with Heart collection. It is a wonderful lost wax silver model hand chiselled by master...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Italian Modern Photo Frame in Silver , Equilibrium Silver
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Equilibrium silver is an Italian photo frame in silver 925 by Laura G “Art with Heart.” It is a very simple and modern photo frame and can be suitable to hold two photos, one front and one back. The piece has been designed same shape front and back, as my message is: our life images are to be saved in jewel photo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Yellow Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Introduction To Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg Footed Stoneware Dish
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Small footed stoneware Argenta dish by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Decorated with trefoil flower sprigs and banding to rim and foot with applied silver A lovely 'introducti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

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 enclosing decoration of fish, in multiple colo...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage French Equestrian Letter Opener, Christian Dior, c.1970's
Located in Bath, GB
An unusual and highly sought-after vintage silver plated letter opener by the world renowned, Christian Dior. The letter opener is fashioned in the form of a belt with engraved "s...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Art Deco Sterling and Enamel Floral Dresser Set, 6 Pieces by Saart Brothers
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Art Deco Saart Brothers, sterling silver and white guilloche enamel with a floral vanity, dresser brush set. Marked with Saart Brothers hallmark and ster...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Edwardian Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Edwardian English glass and sterling silver match striker; an addition to our ornamental collection. This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver and glass match striker has a globular form. The surface of the glass body is embellished with a serrated texture which composes a match striker. The upper portion of this example of antique silverware retains the original, plain hallmarked sterling silver mount which continues to line the match receiver; this solid silver lining indicates the high quality of the piece. By virtue of its size and weight, this versatile match striker could be utilised as a paperweight. Condition This antique 20th century match striker glass match holder...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made by silver plated bronze and dating to c.1960. The handle is in the form of a horse head, beautifully executed. The underside...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Plate

Edwardian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel-Mounted Magnifying Glass
By George Hope
Located in New York, NY
Large, Edwardian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel-mounted magnifying glass, Birmingham, England, 1906, Geo. Hope - maker. Measures almost 9 inches long x 3 3/4 inches diame...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Lacquer Nesting Trays Customized Different Colors
Located in Ridgewood, NY
These classically simple nesting trays are handcrafted of lacquered wood and available in fully customizable colors and sizes. Either nested or as a singular piece, these trays defin...
Category

2010s American Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Lacquer

Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Grachev Brothers was made for Czar Nicholas of Russia. Featuring intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon an exquisite ...
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

George IV Bachelor Inkstand Made in Sheffield by Thomas & James Settle, 1822
Located in London, GB
In the manner of Paul Storr. A very rare George IV Bachelor Inkstand made in Sheffield in 1822 by Thomas & James Settle. This exceptionally rare Inkstand is modelled in the bachelor...
Category

19th Century English George IV Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Cartier Jewelry Dish or a Personal Cards / Keys / Trinket Tray / Coins Plate
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Rare to see Cartier small tray. Very chic Cartier Jewelry Dish or a Personal Cards / Keys / Trinket Tray / Coins Plate This piece is a handsome Tray. Can be use as a jewelry dish or a personal desk...
Category

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

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterlin Silver "Padova" Magnifying Glass by Elsa Peretti
Located in New York, NY
High quality sterling silver magnifying glass by the Italian designer Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Designed in 1984 the "Padova" magnifying glass has 3x magnification glass and bra...
Category

1880s American Minimalist Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Yellow Showtime Vase by Jaime Hayon Spanish design
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Showtime Vases are just as current as when we launched them over 10 years ago. They are little decorative sculptures that fully reproduce Hayon’s universe. Made of two glazed ce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Victorian English Presentation Door Key Merthyr Constitutional Club 1894
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An extremely unusual Silver Gilt Presentation Door Key modelled for the Merthyr Constitutional Club in Wales, England in 1894, complete with its original silk lined box. The extre...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Firmamento Milano Pillola Table Lamp by Parisotto and Formenton Architetti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Please note that VAT is not included in the price. Elegant interior lamp designed as an essential element that creates an evocative light of great comfort. A matte ball of simple and pure form, cut in two perfect halves that diffuse reflected and discreet light. The project line is the essentiality that shapes both the aesthetics and the lighting effect. The light is spread from inside the ball, reflected on the inner shell of the dome and spread on the surface of the table on which it is placed. Designed for the living, its light gives a great atmosphere to the home. The unit features a dimmer enabling custom quality and intensity light. Aldo Parisotto and Massimo Formenton graduated in architecture from the IUAV of Venice. In 1990 they founded their own design firm P+F Parisotto+Formenton Architetti. Their research is oriented towards a range of different design themes, through which they have developed wide experience on both the national and international levels. In the design field they developed a collaboration with leading furniture and lighting companies such as cc-tapis, FontanaArte, Mingardo, Minotti Cucine. In the yacht sector the studio worked for Sanlorenzo, Cantiere del Pardo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Asprey Art Deco Sterling Silver & Shagreen Magnifying Glass
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent magnifying glass by the creme de la creme of English retailer's, Asprey of Bond Street, London. The silver is fully hallmarked for London 1928 together with the maker's mark W.M. The silver is also signed "Asprey London". Excellent antique condition with minor wear commensurate with age measuring 7 3/4" x 3 5/8" x 5/8". A slight wobble to the magnifier due to the traditional pinned construction rather than glued, mentioned purely for accuracy. The handle is made from polished Shagreen, a leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a Stingray. This type of Shagreen was first made popular by Jean-Claude Galluchat (d1774) a master leather worker in the Court of Louis XV in France. It became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy and later throughout Europe. Shagreen is derived from the French word “Chagrin”. Asprey is a British retailer of jewellery, leather, silver and other luxury goods. Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands and has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and important actors on the world stage. For over two centuries, Asprey has been regarded as a top British luxury lifestyle brand and the Bruton Street Flagship Store is considered a must see London destination. Asprey’s broad product assortment includes jewellery, leather goods, accessories, silver, watches, clocks, first edition...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Silver Plate Engraved and Monogrammed Notepad Holder - England
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite silver plate monogrammed desk pad and pen holder. This piece features a flip-up top portion that reveals an area for holding a small notepad with faux leather padding. The t...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Silver and Glass Double Inkwell & Tray by Parsons Brothers for Tessier London
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful double inkwell desk set by Parsons Brothers for Tessier of London. This silver and glass set features two square-cut glass inkwells, atop a beautiful ornate silver desk tray...
Category

20th Century English Elizabethan Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Art Deco Shagreen & Silver Plated Magnifying Glass c.1930
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome and most unusual magnifying glass in a winning and highly sought-after combination of English silver plate and Shagreen. The ferrule frame and terminal are all silver pl...
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Silver Plate Hand Held Magnifying Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A substantial, silver plated hand-held magnifying glass, circa 1980s. Perfect for the desk top or a library, this heavy magnifying has a ribbed metal handle terminating in a solid b...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown International Style Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique George III Quality Sheffield Plated Desk Set by Daniel Holy of Sheffield
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality Sheffield plated desk set on a Sheffield plated tray with an ornate edge standing on ball feet boasting the original pa...
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sheffield Plate

Antique English Equestrian Themed Silver Plate Inkwell.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique English Equestrian Themed Silver Plate Inkwell. Horseshoe oak base and crystal inkwell with a jockey’s cap.
Category

1920s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Piscine Stoneware Vase Applied Silver, Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg #1029
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb bijou vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden from the Argenta collection. Decorated with a stylised fish of applied silver on mottled green stoneware. Circa 1930's Ba...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Antique Silverplated Fox-themed Inkwell by James Deakin & Sons, England
Located in Leesburg, VA
James Deakin & Sons Ltd. Sheffield, England; ca. 1897-1935 Silver plated copper and glass Approximate size: 11 (w) x 6 (h) x 6 (d) in. This lovely silver-plated inkwell features an...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Copper

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

Vienna Art Nouveau Lady Figure Bronze Letter Opener
Located in Danville, CA
Art Nouveau lady figure bronze letter opener Here is a Art Nouveau bronze letter opener. Front of handle depicts a Nouvea Woman Dis...
Category

Late 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Austrian Art Deco Silver Plate & Cut Glass Casket or Table Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Austrian casket or table box. With a silver plate mount, a beveled glass insert top, and with a mold blown and cut body with a facete...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Two Tesla industry Telephones in bright yellow , wall mount
Located in Vienna, Austria
A pair of industrial telephones from the company Tesla Stropkov, a.s., produced 2004 in Slovakia. The telephone model 4 FN 153 27 has pased the EU regulations 1999/ 5/EU. This teleph...
Category

Early 2000s Slovak Industrial Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

21st Century Italy Sterling Silver Letter tray
Located in VALENZA, IT
Letter tray in sterling silver Rectangular tray for correspondence, reproduction of specimens in silver very popular in the late Victorian era. The scrolls design covers the entire b...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Silver Plate Longhorn Steer Head Paperweight
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage longhorn steer head silverplate paperweight. Unmarked, few edge, horn tip dings. Solid and heavy, very black patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Rustic Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Murano Sommerso Amber and Silver Flecks Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Italian mid-century sculptural Murano glass fish. Realized using the Sommerso technique, a clear layer of glass blown over the amber color glass, worked in bullicante, the air bubbles trapped inside the glass (technique made famous by Archimede Seguso) and infused with Silver flakes throughout. The silver and bubbles bringing the jumping fish alive inspiring the glistening reflections of water, resting atop a sea motif...
Category

1970s Italian Organic Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Leaf

William Hornby - Patented Silver Seal Stamp - Retailed by Asprey in 1902
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1902 by William Hornby, and retailed originally by Asprey of London, this handsome, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Seal Stamp, i...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

1910s British Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Silver

Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver letter opener is a handsome piece that makes a great gift. Not only is it functional but a beautiful accent to your desk. Sleek and unadorned it works with any d...
Category

1940s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Inkwell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver inkwell conjures memories of a time when letter writing was an art and people waited for letters from loved ones with anticipation....
Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Paper Knife by Fabergè, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Paper knife with silver swan-shaped handle and precious stones by Fabergè. Original velvet box. Realized in the early 20th century. Length 29 cm. Branding inside and out of...
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Silver

Fabulous Antique English Sterling and Cut Glass Hand Pierced Double Inkstand
Located in Charleston, SC
Exquisite Antique English hallmarked STERLING SILVER and cut crystal Two Bottle Inkstand or Standish, hallmarked London, 1904/'05 with maker's marks for the Royal Warranted silversmi...
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Paperweight Hedgehog Silver 1977 Inscribed CA 1991 Assay
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A charming small silver desk accessory or paperweight. Birmingham 1977. Modelled as a hedgehog with his front feet resting on a log on leafy ground looking up. Commemorative piec...
Category

20th Century English Desk Accessories

Materials

Britannia Standard Silver

Sterling Silver Bookmark
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by Lunt Silversmith from the 1960s. It has a raindrop shape, rounded on one end and pointed on the...
Category

1960s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Letter Organizer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver letter holder may have been used as a toast rack in its former life but we thought this time around we would use it ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Dansk Silverplate Elephant Figurine
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage silver-plate elephant figurine/paperweight by Dansk. Manufacturer: Dansk Origin: Japan Year: 1970s Dimensions: 2.25" wide x 2.25" tall x 1.5" deep.
Category

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

Materials

Silver

Italian Photo Frame Silver Handmade , Harmony Turquoise
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Harmony turquoise is an Arts & Crafts square silver picture frame designed by Laura G for Art with Heart. It is a wonderful lost wax bronze silver plated model hand chiselled by mast...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

English Carte Du Visite / Business Card Case of Mother of Pearl and Abalone
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Carte du Visite (business card) case of Mother of Pearl laid in diagonal squares with a floral engraving centering on an abalone square and banded in abalone with ivory inner lip. The interior consists of a gilt edge cobalt blue accordion file...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th Century Dutch silver seal wax stamp A Dutch silver seal wax stamp from the 19th century. A seal stamp showing the Coat of Arms with a crowned shield divided into three sections. The stamp dates before 1893. The stamp is hallmarked with the dolphin in triangle, used between 1893-1906 for non-guaranteed native objects (gilde hallmark). Afterwards marked again later in the 20th century with ZII for the silver purity 833/1000. Signets or called cachets, wax seal stamps, are stamps that were worn on a silver watch chain...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Contemporary 'Pear' Sculpture Amber Yellow Crystal Handcrafted by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The sculpture evokes the romantic vision of two halves that perfectly complement each other once together and symbolize the indissoluble union. Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked from a block of crystal. This make impossible to create two identical ones. The crystal has been worked by hand until to a smooth and luminous surface to obtain the shape of a pear. The crystal used...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Vintage Sterling Silver Table Bell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage English sterling silver table bell, an addition to our range of ornamental silverware This vintage Elizabeth II cast sterling silver table bell has a plain bell shaped form. The surface of this vintage silver table bell...
Category

1970s British Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Silver

Sterling Silver Repousse Bookmark
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by S. Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. Inspired by their iconic Repousse pattern, it has clu...
Category

1930s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Vintage Ladies Sterling Alpaca Vanity Dressing Set with Intials M I
Located in BILBAO, ES
Four-piece vanity set in solid cut glass and silver. It includes a hand mirror with a beveled glass, one bottles, a clothes brush and a hair brush. The glass of jars and jars is soli...
Category

1950s Spanish Romantic Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Reed & Barton Equestrian Letter Opener, 1940s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Reed & Barton letter opener with a detailed horse head handle in solid silver plated metal. Reed & Barton 274 stamped on the base of the hand...
Category

1940s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

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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