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Desk Accessories For Sale
Beautiful Highly Decorative Letter Scale Antique, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful highly decorative letter scale. All written in German. With porcelain Enamel Face. Nice item for your writing desk or just as a display item at your cupboard.
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Pan-Am DC3 Wooden Airplane Desk Model, Midcentury
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco / midcentury large DC3 desk aviation model. Pan-Am wooden airplane model. It was in an office of the company in South America. Very good restored conditions. Slight age wear. History Pan American Airways began the first transatlantic passenger service on this day in 1939. Pan American World Airways, as it was to be known, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal United States international air carrier from the late 1920s until its collapse on December 4, 1991. Founded in 1927 as a scheduled air mail and passenger service operating between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba, the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry, including the widespread use of jet aircraft, jumbo jets, and computerized reservation systems. The history of Pan American Airways is inextricably linked to the expansive vision and singular effort of one man – Juan Trippe. An avid flying enthusiast and pilot, Trippe, only 28 years old when he founded the airline, lined up wealthy investors and powerful government officials from his personal acquaintances in the high-society of the 1920s. However, Pan Am’s first flight was an inauspicious start to its epic saga. In 1927, facing a Post Office deadline for the commencement of mail carriage, Pan Am had no working equipment for its sole airmail contract between Key West and Havana. Fortunately for Pan Am, a pilot with his Fairchild seaplane arrived at Key West and was willing to carry the mail to Cuba for the start up operation. It is fitting that Pan Am’s first flight would be over water, since the airline would Pioneer overseas routes throughout its history. Pan Am’s fortunes took a turn for the better in the fall of 1927. Through the heavy lobbying efforts of Juan Trippe, Pan Am was selected by the United States government to be its “chosen instrument” for overseas operations. Pan Am would enjoy a near monopoly on international routes. Added to Pan Am’s Cuba route were lines serving Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. Most of these destinations were port cities, which could be reached only by landing on water. Therefore Pan Am made good use of its “flying boats,” the Sikorsky S-38 and S-40. Flights were eventually expanded to serve much of South America as well. EnlargePan Am’s fleet of Clippers allowed the airline to conquer the Pacific in the mid-1930s. The flying boats would later be put to military use in WWII. Just a few years later, Pan Am launched its effort to cross the world’s largest oceans. Survey flights across the Pacific were conducted with the Sikorsky S-42 in 1935, but passenger service required bigger and better aircraft. Accompanied by much fanfare, the Martin M-130 was introduced in 1936, followed by the Boeing 314...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Antique Art Deco Bakelite Hotel Dictophone Desk Phone c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An Art Deco Bakelite hotel desk telephone with push bottom and lever used to only to answer and not call. Inscribed "Dictophone" and company logo. Or...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Victorian Brass Bound Traveling Desk Walnut Wooden Writing Slope Box 19C
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine early English Well Figured Solid grained Walnut Ladies or Gents Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and compact proportions. Last quarter of the Nin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Archimede Seguso Murano Pink White Gold Italian Art Glass Swan Bird Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown dark pink to opal white, and gold flecks Italian art glass swan sculpture / figurine. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, with original "Arch...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Ghidini 1961 Omini the Climber Clips Holder in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unconventional paperclip holder is made of brass. This versatile piece features a small, stylized man climbing up a ladder that contains magnets, ensuring that all unruly paperc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Ancient Islamic Persian Khurasan Silver Inlaid Bronze Caligraphy Inkwell 1200
Located in Portland, OR
An important Islamic Khurasan bronze and silver-inlaid inkwell & cover, Eastern Persia, Circa 1200. The inkwell of cylindrical form and having a shallow dome top cover with a tall knopped finial and inlaid with a twin band of scrolled silver. The base of the dome and the rim of the cover having bands on interlaced silver inlay, the inkwell having three loop handles. The body of the inkwell having two bands of silver inlaid Naskh script, between the bands are twin panels...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Persian Islamic Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Cartier 18ct Gold Nib & Silver Plated Trinity Fountain Pen With Red Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Trinity Fountain Pen With Red Cartier Box Stunning Example of a Must De Cartier fountain pen. Crafted in France, this must de Cartier Trinity 18ct Gol...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Crystal Paperweight Octagonal Glass Pillar
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Crystal Glass Modern Paperweight Octagonal Pillar unmarked 7.75 L x 2.25 diameter Preowned vintage unrestored condition. One scuff -scratch present, hard to see, must be mentioned. R...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Italian mid-century modern brown wooden brass plastic television by Vega, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern brown wooden white plastic television by Vega, 1950s Rectangular wooden television. The screen has rounded corners and a cream colored plastic frame, under...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 decorative trays in different colors - Handmade
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 trays in different colors Include: - 1 (one) Leather Tray, Small Square Tray - Color: Vanilla Dimensions: Height: 1.78 in (4,5...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Casted Glass Banana in Crystal, Lilac
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass banana in dichroic lilac by Devon Made inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted wi...
Category

2010s New Zealand Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Exceptional Quality Egyptian Revival Puma Raised Bi-Metal Desk Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional quality Art Nouveau Egyptian revival Continental brass and copper desk stand raised on four puma feet and dating from the early 20th Century. Probably French the heavi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Copper

Early Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Pine

Brass Plato Table Tray by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Plato Table Tray by Stem Design Dimensions: D 11.5 x W 20 x H 2.5 cm. Materials: Brass. Finish: Tumbled and burnished. Weight: 2 kg. Finished and assembled by hand in India. Also available in aluminum. Please contact us. A compact accent tray with tapered walls and rounded corners, Plato boasts a simple design to reveal an arresting surface texture. It is ideal for holding smaller objects like stationery, keys, watches, jewelry, or glasses. Imagined on your center table, console, or night-stand, the tray is sand-cast in aluminum and brass. The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime. Stem is a contemporary Indian product...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Malachite Box Gemstone Box Botanical Veins
Located in Somis, CA
This beautiful natural malachite box is finely crafted, using the finest malachite. Carefully selected fine-grade malachite in brilliant green displays spectacular concentric rings, ...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909 The No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie is a folding camera made by Kodak in Rochester, NY, USA, from c. 1909. It has...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Glass

Midcentury Modernist Architectural Letter Tray Tiered Walnut Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Stunning midcentury modernist tiered letter file tray walnut wood and aluminum In the style of Florence Knoll  6.13 h x 10 w x 15 Great preowned vintage condition. Wood recently oile...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Crystal Ball Sphere with Chinoiserie Base
Located in New York, NY
A crystal ball decorative sphere decorative object with Chinoiserie wood base, circa late-20th century. A great piece for a shelf, cocktail table, credenza, etc. Very good condition ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Ceramic Inkwell, Talavera De La Reina, Spain, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Talavera Inkwell, 18th century. Glazed pottery Talavera ceramic inkwell, decorated with cobalt blue enamel on a white tin slip with restorations" Size: 16 x 16 x 7 cms.    
Category

18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Small Size - Good Quantity Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Small Size - Good Quantity Available. Sourced from Hungarian and Romanian street markets, crudely made and well used small chopping boards made mai...
Category

1950s Hungarian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Beech

Tiffany Studios New York "Damascene Harp" Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
This desk lamp by Tiffany Studios, dating from circa 1910, features a damascene favrile glass shade on an adjustable patinated bronze harp base. With dichroi...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Just Andersen - Letter-knife in Mint Condition - Original box - Art Deco, 1930's
Located in Stockholm, SE
One of a kind letter knife made by Just Andersen, Denmark in the 1930's with the original box from the Jeweller that the knife were bought from. Mint condition been laying in the bo...
Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Henry Chawner Georgian Sterling Silver Ladies Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver and glass ladies inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique George III sterling silver desk Standish has a navette shaped form onto four bracket feet. This inkstand is encompassed with an applied thread decorated border, in addition to the contemporary engraved initials 'WW'. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand is ornamented with a paralleling applied reed decorated border. The internal wirework style frame of the stand is divided into three rounded supports. Each internal compartment retains the original rounded glass bottles with cut glass ornamentation in addition to impressive scalloped bases. The ink, pen/quill and pounce bottles retain the original plain silver cylindrical mounts fitted with push fit hallmarked covers. The rim of each circular cover is encircled with applied moulded borders and bears the corresponding functional pierced decorated holes. This large silver ink Standish was crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Henry Chawner. Such original ladies examples, in perfect condition, are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique inkstand...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Art Déco French Polished Silvered Bronze Balancing Dice Paperweight by E. Brandt
Located in North Miami, FL
Art Déco fench polished silvered bronze balancing dice paperweight by Edgar Brandt By: Edgar Brandt Material: copper, bronze, silver, metal Technique: cast, molded, silvered, polish...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Metal, Silver, Copper

Mexican Modernist Hand Wrought 950 Silver Letter Opener with Onyx Handle
Located in New York, NY
Mexican mid century modern hand wrought 950 silver letter opener with hand carved Aztec motif green onyx handle. Hallmark stamped underside, 950
Category

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

Materials

Onyx, Sterling Silver

19th Century Wabi-Sabi Caddy
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderfully charming 19th century American caddy or tool box with the best whimsical wabi-sabi inspired natural bentwood hickory handle. Perfect for holding napkins, flatware, or o...
Category

19th Century American Rustic Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Impressive Medici Lions In Staffordshire Pottery Antique Style
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
An impressive pair of Medici Lions fashioned after the style of Staffordshire Pottery of the late 1800's Capable of making a splendid decorative statement Circa 1960's Height 4.75 in...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Grand Tour Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Murano Glass Paperweight by A. Seguso, Italy, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
This fantastic spherical paperweight is made of hand-blown Murano glass and features air bubbles trapped within. A rare piece, it was designed for a special occasion in Italy during ...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Nostalgic 1960's Italian Ceramic Tiger Cub, Adorable Retro
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Undeniably appealing, Italian retro ceramic tiger cub from the 1960's Hand painted and glazed, vibrant and striking Circa 1960's Signed Italy Height 10 inch, Width 8 inch, Depth 6 in...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Heintz Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Bookends
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze bookends By Heintz Art Metal Shop USA, Early 20th Century Each measures: 5.63"W x 4.63"D x 5....
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Bronze

Vintage Bohemian Crystal Votive Candle Holder in Cobalt Blue
By Modern Fabergé
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Bohemian Crystal Votive Candle Holder in Cobalt Blue. Vintage Bohemian Cobalt Blue and Ruby Red Cut to Clear Crystal Votive Candle Hol...
Category

20th Century Asian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock with Chromed Bronze Lion and Movement by Le Roux
By Le Roux à Paris 1
Located in Ulm, DE
Multicolor marble mantel clock Clock movement from Le Roux Lion sculpture made of bronze, chromed, original patina Original Art Deco, France 1930s Dime...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Amalric Walter and Daum Nancy "Crabe" Pâte de Verre Glass Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite “Crabe” pâte de verre glass paperweight, by Amalric Walter and Daum Nancy is decorated with a relief of a reddish-brown crab poised upon a bright contrast of green and...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist star keyring / key holder / keychain, 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

Mr. and Mrs. Black Tie Playing Cards
Located in San Diego, CA
Black tie playing cards, printed is Spain. Two sets: Mr. and Mrs. Individual cards measure 3.5" H x 2.25 W.
Category

20th Century Spanish Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Antique Set of Three Edwardian Hobnail Cut Crystal Decanters 20thCentury
Located in London, GB
A superb set of three antique Edwardian hobnail cut crystal decanters circa 1900 in date. The three wonderful hobnail cut square decanters with original faceted ball stoppers. It i...
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Brassed WWII Era Mortar Shell Paperweights or Bookends Midcentury
By U.S. Army
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We have taken these hollowed out WWll mortar shells and brassed them to produce these very cool desk accessories.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Mirrored Art Deco Paperweight Att. to Jean Luce, C 1930's
Located in New York, NY
Chic solid glass Art Deco mirrored paperweight, having bevelled edges. This piece is in very good, original condition, clean and ready to display and use. Made in the 1930's att...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Mirror

Ceylonese 'Sri Lankan' Ebony Writing Slope
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine early 19th century carved ebony writing slope, the exterior richly carved with foliate decoration, the interior profusely inlaid with bon...
Category

Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bone, Ebony, Sandalwood

Carl Aubock Polished Brass Letter Opener #4233
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass letter opener #4233. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, origin...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Silver Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern silver gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3"W x 3"D x ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Stylized Frog Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized frog sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the unders...
Category

Late 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Art Nouveau Figural Double Sided Hotel Front Desk Call Bell
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Art Nouveau Young Boy Figural Double Sided Hotel Front Desk Call Bell Marked Dep.
Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Erotic / Nude Women Bronze Sculpture Table Bell Push, Austria, 1900´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Erotic / nude women bronze sculpture table bell push - Austria 1900´s Talk about hard to find items! This impossible to believe bell push is the only erotic bell push we have ever se...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Set Of Old Bound Books 19th Century France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of old books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are called " Society for the History of French Protestantism ". Th...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Multigame Set in Black Polished Ebony Notte Di Giochi
Located in New York, NY
Polished ebony multigame. Contents chess, backgammon, dice, domino, playing cards and poker chips.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ebony

Mid-Century Travertine Elephant Letter Holder / Sculpture by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool mid-century modern Italian travertine elephant letter holder / sculpture by Fratelli Mannelli, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or c...
Category

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

Materials

Travertine

Underwood Vintage Manual Typewriter
By Underwood Universal
Located in Pasadena, TX
Underwood ” Vintage manual typewriter The Underwood Typewriter Company was a manufacturer of typewriters headquartered in New Yor...
Category

1940s North American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

French Victorian Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian bronze square inkwell with 2 cornucopia pen holders.  
Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER (German/Austrian) Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller ruge marble.
Category

1890s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Pair Decorative 6ft Bronze Artillery Cannons 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an interesting vintage  pair of French bronze cannons dating from the late 20th century. The cannons have highly decorative barrels and splendid openwork carriages. They ar...
Category

Late 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Lizard and Lapis Lazuli Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French cast bronze / brass lizard in lost wax technique on a solid polished Lapis Lazuli. Can be used as a paperweight or decorative desk accessory. Lizard itself is 5.5" wide, 3" de...
Category

1920s French Belle Époque Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

In Stock in Los Angeles, Green Killer Shark Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Killer shark mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles "Mr Holder was a shark who loved swimming but could not do it. He was mocked by all the other sharks who call...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Georg Petersens Mid Century Teak Desk Organizer Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A teak top of the desk organizer with four letter slots , two storage cubies and an open top shelve . This well designed accessory is the perfect piece for easy access to your papers...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Christian Dior Home Desk Waste Basket in Metal, Lucite and Rattan, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning wastebasket was designed for the Christian Dior Interior Collection. The rare piece was crafted in France circa 1970. The geometric shape boasts a gilded brass gallery ...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Vintage Brass Letter Opener Seashell
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage Letter Opener Seashell in solid Brass. Unmarked, patina present. Light scuffs present. Dimensions: 6.63 Long x 1.13 W x .25 thick Preowned vintage ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Modernist Gold Aluminum Rotary Telephone by CR Telefonia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rotary telephone in gold anodized aluminum by CR Telefonia (ca. 1970s, Italy). Handset is composed of an aluminum exterior and plastic interior and dial features a leather center. Ne...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Brass Anchor Paperweight
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful brass anchor paperweight Circa 1980s Measures: 9"W x 5.75"D x 7"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Category

1980s Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Anchor Paperweight
Vintage Brass Anchor Paperweight
$196 Sale Price
20% Off
Art Deco Streamlined Skyscraper Style Burled Carpathian Elm Letter Holder, 1930
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This elegant Art Deco Skyscraper style letter holder was realized in the United States, circa 1930. It features four concentric demilune streamlined forms that diminish in size from ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Burl

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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