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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Material: Stone
Material: Bronze
Handmade Big Bookend with Triangular Shape in Satin White Carrara Marble
Located in Carrara, IT
Big bookend or decorative object in satin white Carrara marble with triangular shape. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

New Modern Cigarettes and Cigar Ashtray in Black Marble, creator Chiossi Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Tuscan sculptor Michele Chiossi, has found in marble a medium to describe modernity with its myths and symbols, creating the Contemporary collection. An emoji can be a tray; an emoji heart, not necessarily pierced by an arrow, can be a place of creativity in the kitchen, a chopping board or a working surface; a dash; a zigzag; granting the marble a moment of levity, becoming vertical in a vase; reflecting an ideal image of ourselves. Unique objects to be experienced as a couple, to gift to friends, jewels of our daily lives. Time and smoke pass, ashtrays remain. As everlasting as marble, as elegant as a concentric circle of smoke spreading through the air. Chiossi revisits the most Classic of living room...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Handmade Big Decorative Prism / Bookend in Satin Black Marquina Marble
Located in Carrara, IT
A big decorative prism/bookend in black Marquina marble full. Honed finishing. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by It...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Cartier 1926 Tom Pouce Ladies Lighter 18kt Gold Bronze Champlevé Emerald & Lapis
Located in Miami, FL
Mughal ladies Tom Pouce lighter designed by Cartier. Fabulous and extremely rare ladies cylindrical gasoline lighter. Created in Paris during the art deco period by the house of Cartier, back in the middle of the 1920's. This miniature Tom Pouce lighter, takes its name from the classic short fairy tales by the Grimm's brothers, Tom Thumb (Tom Pouce being the French translation). It was crafted with Champlevé colored enamels over rustic bronze and accented with details in yellow gold of 18 karats. Embellished with natural lapis lazuli and an emerald. The main outside body is decorated with organics elements and figures of red and blue birds. Gorgeous look and surely a great conversation piece which is accompanied by the round Cartier red box. Champlevé, in the decorative arts, is an enameling technique or an object made by the champlevé process, which consists of cutting away troughs or cells in a metal plate and filling the depressions with pulverized vitreous enamel. The raised metal lines between the cutout areas form the design outline. Emerald: Accented on top in a bezel setting, with 1 square faceted cut of a natural green emerald of about 0.15 carats. Lapis: Mount with 1 flat round cabochon cut, carved from lapis lazuli of about 1.25 carats. Birthstone: Emerald for the month of May. Weight: 21.95 Grams, (14.07 Dwt). Measurements: Have a diameter of 16 mm and a height of 33 mm (0.63 x 1.30 Inches). Hallmarks Stamped with the maker's mark, the serial numbers, the French taxation mark for luxury items BL inside a rectangular cartouche and signed, "CARTIER 5554", stamped with matching cases numbers, 13 & 13. Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945 Note: On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold), 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple copper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel. It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold, Bronze, Enamel

21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade Pink Flamingo Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Concrete

Studio Del Campo 1960 Letter Tray and Opener. Italian Mid Century
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful polished bronze and enamel by famed Italian artists, Studio Del Campo. Signed. Includes a letter tray and opener.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 1900s Empire style inkwell in yellow Siena marble with gilded bronze inkwells and sphinx. 48 x 23 cm Height 20.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Unique Marble and Brass Sculptural Paper Weight of a Dog or Animal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique marble and brass sculptural paper weight of a dog or animal.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Italian Photo Frame Art Nouveau with Black Marble, Illumination
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Illumination is a rectangular golden silver photo frame with black marble designed by Laura G Art with Heart and it is decorated 360°, both front and back as every one of my picture frames.. A Classic Tiffany motif meanders in relief on a background of Belgian black marble stone. Each model of my photo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Silver

Luxury Photo Frame, Silver with gold bath, marble , Reflection Noir
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Reflection noir is an italian gold silver floral double photo frame with black marble, a jewel photo frame signed Laura G Art with Heart. It is hand...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Silver

Rare Lalique "Chrysis" Mascot or Paperweight in Amber Crystal Art Deco France
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Presenting this fabulous "Chrysis" nude woman mascot or paperweight crafted in etched and polished amber crystal. This example is a limited edition release from the late 1990s produc...
Category

1990s French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Art Deco Bronze Figure of a Cat 'Chat De Siam Assis' by Edouard M. Sandoz
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very Rare Art Deco French silver plated bronze sculpture figure of a cat, ' Chat De Siam Assis ‘. This figure was produced as paperweight and also as car ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Large Photo frame in Black Marble Humour marble
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Humour is an italian large black marble photo frame. It is a sculpture of design and may carry 4 photos , 2 on the front, and 2 on the back, phot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Soap Holder in White and Black Marble, by Matteo Cibic, Italy in Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Soap holder in white Michelangelo and black Marquinia marble. Size: 20 x 9.8 x 3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Domenico, Homage Collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Ci...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Inkwell Charles X French Gothic in Patinated Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Inkwell Charles X French Gothic in Patinated Bronze, Early 19th Century Gothic inkwell in patinated bronze and fine chiseled bronze decorated with arcatures, rosettes, polylobed mo...
Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Doré Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 4.25"D x 2...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Post-Modern Marble Spheres / Paperweights
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous set of two post-modern marble spheres / paperweights, circa 1980s. The pieces are in very good condition with no chips or cracks and the largest one measures 3"D x 3"H and ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Italian red marble desk letter holder, 20th century
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian red marble desk letter holder, 20th century Desk letter holder with rectangular base in red marble. The structure is parallelepiped-shaped with a central rectangular groove. ...
Category

20th Century Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Marble

Carolina Onyx Bathroom Accessory Set and Paper Bucket
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
This set is comprised of a soap holder, toothbrush holder, tray with raised edges, tissue holder and paper bucket. The onyx quarries of the Carolina vill...
Category

2010s Argentine Organic Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

French Art Deco Palisander and Pewter Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Pewter

Round Coasters set in black marble
Located in Mexico City, MX
Set of four round coasters in Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-1...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Bronze Sculpture Mastiff by Charles Valton Dog Bronze Statue Animalier Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Bronze Sculpture Mastiff Charles Valton Dog Bronze statue animalier Antiques . Signed and stamped . Valton was known for his big cats but probably his most ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Cast Bronze Hand Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze hand in the style of Pietrina Checcacci. The hand is hollow with many intricate knuckle and finger nail details. Crafted to perch on a flat surface and positioned as desi...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1820's Bronze Inkwell with an Eagle Standing Atop
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Napoleon III bronze inkwell Encrier. Three winged cupids holding up a bowl with masked faces with an eagle standing atop. Dimensions: H 16cm W 11cm D 8cm Origin: French Date: ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

White Polished Tigers Eye Paperweight on Silver Stand with Paw Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely, small White Quartz Tigers eye Ball on top of a Silver Stand with paw feet. The paperweight is a great decorative piece and on a very nice little stand. Could be used as a...
Category

20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Rock Crystal, Silver Plate

Vintage Boho Onyx Bookends - Set of 2
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Boho bookends. A chic solid onyx stone in a stepped design. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Late 20th Century North American Bohemian Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Tiffany Studios New York Greek Key Bronze Doré Ash Tray, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze ash tray featuring Greek key designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.5"W x 3.5"D x 1"H. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

French Art Deco Bronze Sculpture on Rectangular Agate Base, circa 1925
By Menneville
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant Bronze Sculpture of Posing Lady Standing on Rectangular Red Agate Base, Circa 1925, French Art Deco. Her face, neck, tummy, hands and feet are made in bakelit.
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate, Bronze, Spelter

Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3" x 3.75"H. #3539
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Art Deco Full Desk Set in Marble and Brass, France, 1930s
Located in Paris, FR
Art Deco full desk set in marble and brass, France, 1930s. Composed by: 2 Inkwells W 29.5 cm x D 18.5cm x H 8 cm Ashtray W 14 cm x D 14 cm x H 4 cm Envel...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Art Deco Bronze Bird Paperweight Signed P. Sega
Located in NANTES, FR
Art deco paperweight circa 1930. Kingfisher in silvered bronze on a black marble base veined with white. Signature on the base P. Sega for Pierre Sega. In perfect condition. Height:...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Art Deco Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Art Deco Desk Set Ink Wells & Penguin Statue French
Located in Oakland, CA
Art Deco Desk Set is a captivating blend of timeless elegance and functional design. The centerpiece of this ensemble is the charming Penguin Statue, reminiscent of the iconic design...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal

1970s Piero Fornasetti Astonishing Crystal Paperweight Sphere. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Piero Fornasetti astonishing crystal paperweight sphere in excellent condition. Made in Italy. Dimension: diameter 3,14 x 1,57 inches diameter 8 cm x cm 4 H
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Antique Victorian Three Bottle Tantalus & Games Compendium 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous antique Victorian games compendium and tantalus, circa 1880 in date. It consists of three cut crystal liquor bottles with stoppers, a pair of engraved shot glass...
Category

1880s Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

19th Century Inkwell with Imperial Eagle in Portoro Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We would like to present you with this magnificent 19th-century Empire-style inkwell from the Napoleon III era adorned with a raised imperial eagle motif positioned between the two i...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Textural White Stone Slab
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Playful stone stab with textural design. This rectangular slab can easily be displayed on a table or leaning on a shelf. It showcases an abstract design of rounded curves. Dimension...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Organic Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Pair of 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Incense Burners.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 19th century gilt bronze and marble incense burners. Pair of 19th century incense burners, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze and marble. h: 42cm, w: 24cm, d: 20cm
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

XL Calligraphy Brush Jade Archer's Rings 17" Engraved
Located in Somis, CA
The extra large, extraordinary 17" Chinese calligraphy brush captivates with its fusion of history, symbolism, and artistic finesse. Comprising a collection of seven jade Archer's ri...
Category

2010s Chinese Qing Desk Accessories

Materials

Jade

French Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Foliate Form Inkwell 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
French Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Foliate Form Inkwell 20thC Measures- 2.75''H x 7.5''W x 5.75''D
Category

20th Century Louis XIV Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical Rococo Reticulated Foliate Gilt Bronze Cameo Letter Holder 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Neoclassical Rococo Reticulated Foliate Form Gilt Bronze Letter Holder with Cameo, 20thC Measures- 11.5''H x 10''W x 4.5''D
Category

20th Century Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Small Vintage Boat, Continental, Bronze, Desk, Ornament, Decorative, Coin Tray
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage model boat. A Continental, bronze desk ornament or decorative coin tray, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Tact...
Category

Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Leaf holder model "Tree of life" by TIFFANY Studios
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Desk paper holder made of gilded bronze (Ormolu), “Tree of Life” model, made by TIFFANY Studios. Signed TIFFANY STUDIOS, NEW YORK, 1021 United States, CIRCA 1900.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Coloured Crystal Perfume Diffuser.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary coloured crystal perfume diffuser. Contemporary perfume diffuser in cut and coloured crystal. A beautiful diffuser vase not only enhances the visual appeal of a space, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary Coloured Crystal Bookend, Model BOO.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary coloured crystal bookend, Model BOO. Modern bookend in cut crystal, coloured in bright, warm colours. h: 20cm, w: 14cm, d: 7cm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

1980s Waterford Crystal Lucky Irish Shamrock Paperweight
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s stunning Waterford crystal glass lucky Irish Shamrock paperweight. Maker stamped Waterford made in Ireland. Preowned very good vintage...
Category

1980s Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Coloured crystal Bookend Featuring a Horse's Head.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Coloured crystal bookend featuring a horse's head. A superb crystal bookend makes a sophisticated and functional accessory, adding a touch of luxury while keeping books neatly in pl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

A cast bronze sprung hinged letter / document clip in the form of a crane’s head
Located in Chonburi, TH
This exquisite cast bronze sprung hinged letter/document clip from France circa 1880 is a stunning example of functional artistry. Crafted in the form of a crane's head, it embodies ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios 'American Indian' Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze "American Indian" pattern blotter ends, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (signed to the un...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th C. Jugendstil German Cut Glass Crystal Inkwell with Polished 800 Silver Lid
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Jugendstil german cut glass crystal inkwell with polished 800 silver lid By: unknown Material: glass, cut glass, crystal, si...
Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver

Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller Austrian, circa 1900. Behold the Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, a masterpiece attributed to the skilled hands of Ha...
Category

Late 19th Century Belle Époque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10"W x 3.13"D x 0.5"H Ve...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Very Decorative & Artistic Table Desk Lamp with Bronze Grooming Chimps Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Elegant Jugendstil Bronze and Brass, Table or Desk Lamp with mother and infant chimpanzee sculpture. We are happy to offer you another one of our recent great finds. This truly wond...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made in gilded bronze and dating to c.1960; a scarce-find in the gold colour. The handle is in the form of a horse head, beautifu...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Rabbit by Eduard Marcel Sandoz, Susse Freres, 1920
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco silver plated bronze sculpture of a rabbit hare. Lovely paperweight. Edouard Marcel Sandoz (1881-1973). Signature/ Marks: Ed.M. Sandoz - Susse Fre'...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom brown leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed to t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

1980s French Bunny Rabbit Paperweight Baccarat Crystal Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Precious 1980s France Baccarat bunny rabbit paperweight sculpture French crystal glass approximately 3.25 H 2 W 3 D. Signed Baccarat Preowned original ...
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Tiffany Studios Bronze American Indian Desk Set
Located in Austin, TX
Native American spirit, preserved in patinated bronze. Imbue your workspace with a touch of early 20th-century elegance with this American Indian Desk Set from Tiffany Studios. Serve...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Italian Carved Marble Stone Inkwell
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Antique inkwell from Italy, Masterfully carved from marble with lion and lioness , letter opener and a pen included A wonderfully accessory for any desk.
Category

19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal

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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