Roycroft Arts & Crafts Trefoil Hammered Brass Over Copper Letter Opener
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period trefoil brass finished hand hammered copper letter opener By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: ...
Brass, Copper
Romeo Rega Chrome and Brass Rectangular Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century picture frame in chrome-plated metal and brass. This stylish piece was designed by Romeo Rega and produced in Italy during the 1970s. Fully original and in amaz...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Seguso Italian Murano Art Glass Vase
By Seguso Viro, Seguso
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and colorful Italian Seguso Viro Murano art glass vase, Italy, circa 1990s, late-20th century. Maker's mark on bottom/underside as shown...
Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
1970s Italian Bird in Red Veined Murano Crystal
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Italian Bird in Red Veined Murano Crystal.
Art Glass
1940's New Old Stock Vintage Button Cards - Pack Of Ten
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1940's New Old Stock Vintage Button Cards- Pack Of Ten. We recently came across a large hoard of new old stock hardware and general merchandise items, laying untouched since the 1940...
Plastic, Paper
$65Sale Price / item|40% Off
New Brush Stand Solid Wengé Wood Medium Holds 14
Located in Somis, CA
Our calligraphy brush stands are made of solid wengé wood, a prized, sustainable, exotic wood with beautiful grains. Top of the stands are deco...
Wood, Wenge
Vintage MCM Walnut Pencil Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage MCM walnut pencil holder, circa 1970s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 3.625"D x 3"H. Superb craftsmanship on this very attractive desk accessory! #4795
Walnut
Antique French Porcelain Jacob Petite Desk Set Inkstand Provenance Ava Gardner
By Jacob Petit
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French Lavish Gilt Porcelain Ink Stand of Museum Quality and generous proportions, made by renowned French porcelain maker Jacob Petit. Last quarter of the Nineteenth Centur...
Brass
Art Nouveau Pocket Watch Desk Inkwell
Located in Northampton, GB
The Inkwell of square shape made from glass with hand cut diamond quilt pattern to the exterior. The lid of the inkwell mounted with a Sterling Silver hinged lid is hallmarked to the...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-century Phone Tesla, 1980's.
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Plastic With Aged Patina Cleaned Fully Functional Good Vintage Condition
Plastic
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Razor Blade Brass Paperweight #5378, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A handmade paperweight in the shape of a razorblade, model 5378, originally designed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. A very charming piece, reissued by Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna / Aus...
Brass
Vinyl Record Stand by Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
This orange vinyl record stand was produced by Gustavsberg in Sweden during the second half of the 20th century. Executed in molded plastic, the pie...
Plastic
Frog Prince Bronze Pen Holder Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine An elegant early 1950s - 1960s figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The piece display...
Bronze
American Brass Miniature Carriage Clock with Beveled Glass, New York. C. 1850
By James Mix
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass miniature carriage clock with beveled glass, carrying handle , and signed enamel over copper face with dial. Clock consists of time, strike,...
Brass, Copper, Enamel
Antique Cloisonné-Emaille Desk Set, Bronze Doré, France, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional Enameled Desk Set of a box and a seal stamp, France circa 1880. Beautiful Cloisonné- enamel work in bold blue, turquoise, red and beige colours. Measures: Stamp- or matc...
Brass, Enamel
Meissen, Germany. Blue Onion pattern inkwell set in porcelain.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen, Germany. Blue Onion pattern inkwell set in porcelain. Hand-painted. Late 19th century. Marked. First factory quality. In excellent condition - inkwell with hairline cracks a...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Brass Letter Opener with Tennis Racket Design, 1950s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Brass Letter Opener with Tennis Racket Design, 1950s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1950 to 1959 Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Period: ...
Metal
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener, 1900s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1900s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece ...
Bronze
Harley Davidson AMF Motorcycle Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great vintage table lighter in the shape of a AMF Harley Davidson motorcycle. In 1969, the AMF corporation (American Machine and Foundry) took over production of Harley-Davidson moto...
Metal
$200Sale Price|50% Off
Vintage Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spherical onyx desk paperweight, in natural neutral hues / Made in Italy circa 1970s Measures: diameter 4 inches Order reference #: FABIOLTD G178 This piece makes for...
Onyx
Profil Striped Applied Silver Egg Cup By Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Tasteful and modern in design, stoneware Argenta egg cup by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Decorated with applied silver 'Profil' stripes and banding A collectors piece Circa...
Silver
Vintage French Brown Leather Desk Set, Mid-20th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage French Brown Leather Desk Set Mid-20th Century A luxurious vintage French leather desk set, crafted in the mid-20th century and designed in the spirit of Jacques Adnet inspir...
Leather
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Wisteria Inaba 4 Piece Desk Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese brass four-piece desk set with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Meiji era, late 19th century. Inaba workshop. The set incl...
Enamel
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of “The Dying Gaul”
Located in Kastrup, DK
A neoclassical Grand Tour sculpture in dark-patinated bronze depicting The Dying Gaul — an iconic motif after the famous ancient original from Pergamon. Mounted on an oval Siena marb...
Siena Marble, Bronze
$395 / set
1940s French Wood Desk Accessories
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Timeless desk accessory set from France, 1940s. Elegant wood letter stand with silver detail. Wood tray with silver pen rest on four silver ball feet. Original wood and metal finish ...
Metal
$1,085Sale Price|20% Off
Vincenzo Nason Murano Art Glass Green Blue Bird Paperweight Figurine
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Murano glass bird sculpture by Vincenzo Nason, Italy, 1970s. Green, blue and clear glass with beautiful hues when light go...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
17th Century Dutch Delft Tile with Decoration of a Dutch Galley
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1640 - 1660 A Spanish galley on a Dutch tile, painted in cobalt blue, but why? Isn't he a bit far from home? Well, not everything is as it seems. This tile was...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1982, Czechoslovakia
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very Good original condition - Fully functional. - Tesla manufacturer typ-TA 32.
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Hammer from Aarikka, Finland, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Hammer from Aarikka, Finland, 1960s
Wood
English Edwardian Mahogany Book Stand, Circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
Lovely period Edwardian book stand made from Mahogany and expertly inlaid with satinwood. This charming book stand is absolutely precious! The stand is made from mahogany and then...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$404Sale Price|61% Off
French Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell and Pen Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Mounted horse hoof inkwell with horseshoe pen holder Inkwell shoe ferrer pen holder with beautiful finish, popular art work Shipping: L11 P19 ...
Chrome, Wrought Iron
Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Holder, circa 1970, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Claude Victor Boeltz Letter Holder , circa 1970, France. Gilt exploded bronze, metal blade. Dimensions: 16 cm W, 10 cm H, 8 cm D. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" pieces, made famous in th...
Bronze
1950's Triumph Brand Gabriele Model Portable Typewriter
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1950. We offer this toatlly NEW Triumph Brand Gabriele Model Portable Typewriter. This item is timeless and in perfect condition. It includes its user manual and an original cl...
Steel
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 3.5"H. #4671
Marble, Brass
Omega, a Wood and Enamel Art Deco Eight Day Desk Clock
By Omega
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Omega. A wood and enamel Art Deco eight day desk clock Singed Omega. Polished wooden case, two polychrome enamel panels with floral and geometric motif, gilt case back, dial signed. Very good conditions. Working conditions. It just been cleaned. Rare example of these Art Deco Enamel Clocks...
Brass, Enamel
Tronador Square Cream Onyx Box by AIREDELSUR, Hand-Carved Design
By AIREDELSUR
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...
Stone, Onyx
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Leather, Wood
Carl Auböck Monumental Lifesize Brass Foot Sculpture, Werkstätte Auböck, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
We are offering this impressive 13“ long and 8“high brass foot sculpture, designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Vienna, Austria. This charming and attention-grabbing ...
Brass
1930s Super Ercole by Ercole Marelli Italy Electric Fan 404
By Marelli
Located in Biella, IT
Super Ercole by Ercole Marelli Italy design years '50 electric fan 0-404 big size Measure; high 21,4 inches and is in good vintage condition working to 150-160 volt colour is...
Metal
Rare Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Gorham Martele Footed Inkstand with Hinged Lid
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous, rare, sterling silver (.950) Art Nouveau, Martele inkstand with ball feet and hinged lid, the Gorham Manufacturing Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1905. According to the PTB mark on the underside, most probably, the Gorham silversmith who made it...
Sterling Silver
1970's Italian Malachite and Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in North Miami, FL
1970's Italian Malachite and diamonds gold ring. 14K gold,. Has wear by age and use.
Malachite, Gold
Aldo Londi Bitossi Very Large Round Rimini Blue Glazed Midcentury Ashtray, 1950s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed ashtray. Very large, has a diameter of 9 1/2 inches, Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta
Stylized Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized rabbit sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the unde...
Crystal
Antique 19th Century Victorian Birdseye Maple Traveling Writing Slope Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique dark birds eye maple writing slope with brass M monogram plate on top with green felt lining and multiple interior storage compartments finishe...
Felt, Birdseye Maple, Ebony
Bronze Male God Sculpture Statue
Located in New York, NY
A small figural male nude verte green bronze Greek God 'Bacchus' sculpture statue, circa mid-20th century. Bacchus was known as the 'wine' God. Piece is made of sold bronze or brass ...
Brass, Bronze
Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, Italy 1960s
Located in Naples, IT
Famous and Iconic Portable Typewriter Mod. Valentine designed by Ettore Sottsass and Peter King, for the company Olivetti in 1960, the typewriter is in very good condition with case ...
Metal
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #5535 'Rainbow' Patinated Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polis...
Brass
Andy Warhol Diaries, Hard-Cover Library or Coffee Table Book, 1989
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
'The Andy Warhol Diaries' book is hard-cover, first edition, May 1989. The Andy Warhol Diaries is the dictated memoirs of the American artist, Andy Warhol, posthumously published, May 1989, USA. It was edited by his frequent collaborator and long-time friend, Pat Hackett...
Paper
Handcrafted Brass Leaf Decorative Paperweight with Bronze Patina
Located in London, London
Handmade cast brass leaf with stunning details, a beautiful bronze patina finish and polished highlights. Ideal as an elegant paperweight or just a charming decorative object. Each ...
Brass
Art Deco Inkwells in Macassar Wood and Crystal, Jacques Adnet Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Macassar inkwell Art Deco ebony Macassar and crystal glass. Macassar ebony cover with a crystal reservoir in Cubist Art Deco form. Made in luxury Macassar wood with original c...
Crystal
$212 / item
Brass Counter Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Counter Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 4 x H 5 cm Materials: Brass Designed for hanging bags and coats under bar counters. Each ...
Brass
Mid 20th Century Murano Aquarium Art Glass Elio Raffaeli, signed Paperweight Egg
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Spectacular and rare large venetian murano aquarium sculpture paperweight in the form of an egg with two colorful fish and multicolor strands of cane that resemble aquatic plants, ke...
Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Louis XVI Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Nouveau period gilt bronze "Louis XVI" pattern blotter ends with a custom blue leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (each blotter end signed to the undersi...
Bronze
Vintage Italian Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning example of Venetian glass artistry, this vintage Murano glass paperweight is a captivating display of color and craftsmanship. The piece features a complex, abstract compo...
Murano Glass
$325 / item
Monumental Metal Paper Clip
By Think Big
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Giant metal paperclip slightly under 1.5 ft tall. Quirky accent piece or wall art. Good weight to object. Slight wear to metal exterior. Good vintage condition. Two available. Priced...
Metal
Charming desk writing set, inkwell, dogs terrier, carved, 1930s Art Deco Germany
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful desk writing set with terrier dogs, from the 1930s, Art Deco, Germany. The hand-carved set consists of a base adorned with two adorable terrier dogs. On one side there is ...
Porcelain, Terracotta, Wood, Beech
$188 / item
Aluminium Brute Handle by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminium Brute Handle by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 3 x D 2 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminum This versatile handle can be used for cabinetry, sliding doors and sash windows. Each pie...
Aluminum
A Russian silver inkwell, jeweler: Johann Fredrik Akerblom, St. Petersburg 1836.
Located in Milan, IT
A Russian silver figured inkwell, jeweler: Johann Fredrik Akerblom, taster Mikhail Mikhailovich Karpinshií. Cylindrical inkwell raised on four feet with chiseled and knurled floral e...
Silver
Maitland Smith Leather Desktop Book Paperweight Bronze Butterfly Figurine
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming vintage Mid-Century Modern leather desktop book paperweight with a butterfly from Maitland Smith. Both form and function best describe this piece. We see this decorative obj...
Bronze
Signed Steuben White Swirl & Bubble Glass Egg Paperweight by George Thompson
By George Thompson, Steuben Glass
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Signed Steuben White Swirl & Bubble Glass Egg Paperweight by George Thompson, USA, Circa 1970s This exquisite Steuben glass egg paperweight,...
Crystal
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.