Skip to main content

Desk Accessories

to
939
5,652
966
133
3,967
1,234
1,134
1,067
1,065
3,113
2,970
4,527
1,172
1,146
Height
to
Width
to
6,751
6,131
6,539
Desk Accessories For Sale
Aircraft Engine Chrome Speaker
Aircraft Engine Chrome Speaker

Aircraft Engine Chrome Speaker

Located in Paris, FR

Speaker aircraft engine chrome is inspired by radial aircraft engines from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum alloy ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

French Victorian Bronze Inkwell
French Victorian Bronze Inkwell

French Victorian Bronze Inkwell

Located in Queens, NY

French Victorian bronze square inkwell with 2 cornucopia pen holders. Previously broken hinge, inkwell lid is not attached

Category

19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass Hook
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass Hook

Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass Hook

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck brass #4056 brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte C...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Enticing Berry Red Stemmed Fruit Crystal Perfume Bottle, England 1980's
Enticing Berry Red Stemmed Fruit Crystal Perfume Bottle, England 1980's

Enticing Berry Red Stemmed Fruit Crystal Perfume Bottle, England 1980's

By English School

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Delicious berry red 'Stemmed Fruit' crystal perfume bottle with a clear crystal stopper A desirable piece of contemporary counter-balanced glass art Created by Ian Hankey for Teign V...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate
Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate

Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Small round pewter plate with London and makers mark on the rear side.

Category

Early 19th Century English Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Scandinavian Ceramic Microcosmos Pen-Holder w. Blue Tits on a Birch Branch
Scandinavian Ceramic Microcosmos Pen-Holder w. Blue Tits on a Birch Branch

Scandinavian Ceramic Microcosmos Pen-Holder w. Blue Tits on a Birch Branch

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A naturalistic pen-holder in the shape of this glazed ceramic micro cosmos with a blue tit family (Parus caeruleus) going on with life on an old 'tired' birch wood branch with cracks...

Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Quality Antique Victorian French Freestanding Inlaid Boulle Desk Set
Fine Quality Antique Victorian French Freestanding Inlaid Boulle Desk Set

Fine Quality Antique Victorian French Freestanding Inlaid Boulle Desk Set

Located in Suffolk, GB

Fine quality antique Victorian French freestanding inlaid boulle desk set having a quality ornate shaped brass handle flanked by a pair of original cut glass inkwells with inlaid bou...

Category

1850s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Danish Bakelite Table Phone from the 1940s
Danish Bakelite Table Phone from the 1940s

Danish Bakelite Table Phone from the 1940s

Located in Vienna, AT

Bakelite leather covered table phone, made in Denmark in the late 1940s. Used marks.  

Category

1940s Danish Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Female Face Bust Sculpture
Female Face Bust Sculpture

Female Face Bust Sculpture

Located in New York, NY

A striking vintage black ceramic pottery female face bust sculpture, circa 20th century. A great piece for a column pedestal as shown, shelf, mantle, cocktai...

Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Revival Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Desk Accessories Letter Holder  Swans  Silver plated Color France 20th Century
Desk Accessories Letter Holder  Swans  Silver plated Color France 20th Century

Desk Accessories Letter Holder Swans Silver plated Color France 20th Century

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Desk Accessories Letter Holder Swans Silver plated metal and Color. France 20th Century

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Victorian Campaign Writing Slope, Brass Trim, Green Leather, UK, 1800s
Victorian Campaign Writing Slope, Brass Trim, Green Leather, UK, 1800s

Victorian Campaign Writing Slope, Brass Trim, Green Leather, UK, 1800s

By Joseph Bramah

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A Stunning Victorian Campaign Writing Slope With A Decorative Brass Trim, Brass Carry Handles Finished With A Gilt Tooled Racing Green Leather Interior Item will include new notepa...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Calamaio Grand Tour in marmo a Sarcofago inizio XIX secolo
Calamaio Grand Tour in marmo a Sarcofago inizio XIX secolo

Calamaio Grand Tour in marmo a Sarcofago inizio XIX secolo

Located in Pistoia, IT

Calamaio a forma di sarcofago in marmi pregiati, Roma, inizi del 19 secolo, epoca Grand Tour. I calamai a sarcofago del Grand Tour sono oggetti di lusso del XVIII e XIX secolo ispi...

Category

19th Century Italian Greco Roman Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl

Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", model #4617-2, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Identical to the brass key ring...

Category

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

Materials

Brass, Nickel

19th Century Ammonite Fossil Paperweight on Limestone Base
19th Century Ammonite Fossil Paperweight on Limestone Base

19th Century Ammonite Fossil Paperweight on Limestone Base

Located in Knivsta, SE

19th Century Ammonite Fossil Paperweight on Limestone Base A beautiful and highly evocative 19th-century paperweight, featuring a finely polished ammonite fossil mounted on a solid ...

Category

19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Limestone

Brass Globe Cigarette Holder and Ashtray/Coin Dish, circa 1960
Brass Globe Cigarette Holder and Ashtray/Coin Dish, circa 1960

Brass Globe Cigarette Holder and Ashtray/Coin Dish, circa 1960

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An original mid-century brass cigarette holder with ashtray or coin dish. The lid slides open on the globe's axis to reveal a metal interior designed to hold cigarettes. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

A Set of 4 Neoclassical Style Polished Stone Spheres, Early 20th Century
A Set of 4 Neoclassical Style Polished Stone Spheres, Early 20th Century

A Set of 4 Neoclassical Style Polished Stone Spheres, Early 20th Century

Located in ARMADALE, VIC

A Set of 4 Neoclassical Style Polished Stone Spheres, Early 20th Century Description: Resting on ebonized socle bases. Wear commensurate with age and use. Provenance: Private Austr...

Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

GIFT IDEA - Murano Glass Apple Paperweight with Controlled Bubble Inclusions
GIFT IDEA - Murano Glass Apple Paperweight with Controlled Bubble Inclusions

GIFT IDEA - Murano Glass Apple Paperweight with Controlled Bubble Inclusions

By Alfredo Barbini, Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Located in Bochum, NRW

🎄 Gift-Ready Appeal: A thoughtful gift for collectors, decorators, or anyone who appreciates the quiet luxury A sculptural delight in clear Murano glass, this apple-shaped paperweig...

Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Barovier Toso Murano Black Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pear Fruit Paperweight
Barovier Toso Murano Black Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pear Fruit Paperweight

Barovier Toso Murano Black Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pear Fruit Paperweight

By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier

Located in Kissimmee, FL

Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown dark brown pigments, black and gold flecks Italian art glass pear figure / sculpture. The piece is documented to designer Ercole Barovie...

Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century

Category

19th Century Japanese Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

CARTIER Paris 1970 Select Trinity Minaudiere Purse In Mughal Silk & 18Kt Gold
CARTIER Paris 1970 Select Trinity Minaudiere Purse In Mughal Silk & 18Kt Gold

CARTIER Paris 1970 Select Trinity Minaudiere Purse In Mughal Silk & 18Kt Gold

By Cartier

Located in Miami, FL

A purse minaudiere designed by Cartier Paris. This is an exceptional, beautiful and extremely rare purse minaudiere created in Paris France by the luxury house of Cartier, back in the 1970. This incredible piece is from the trinity collection, specially crafted for the exclusive Cartier department "S" of "Select de Cartier". Made-up with very fine Mughal silk and eight trinity-motifs accents made in three tones of 18 karats gold. Country: Paris, France. Period: 1970. Style: Mughal, Trinity, Art-Deco. Measurements: 130 mm by 108 mm by 39 mm (5.10 x 4.25 x 1.5 Inches). Length: The triple silk cord can be adjusted from 17 inches to 26 inches. Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark cartouche, French marks and signed as follows, "CARTIER PARIS MADE IN FRANCE". Cartier S History On the 19th of June, 1920, the House of Cartier in Paris created a collection of accessories so special they resembled jewels in their precious materials and expert craftsmanship. This collection was known as "Cartier S for Select", and it was the creation of the brilliant Mme. Jeanne Toussaint. It was her consummate style and taste that led to the design of so many Art Deco objects for which Cartier is famous. Even today, auction houses report record prices whenever a Toussaint creation appears. For two decades, Mme. Toussaint presided over "Department S". With the advent of World War II, the doors of "Department S" closed at least for thirty years. In the 1970 Cartier has recreated again the "Department S" and brought it to New York city. The same rigorous standards of beauty and workmanship, the same precious materials have gone into today's "Department S" Collection. This piece is from a collection of very special evening bags; Cartier S collection is for Select. See the image. Note: Considering that this piece is from the 1970s with almost 50 years of having been manufactured, it was never used. It is an incredible luxury item with its original cased box in perfect condition. Collateral: This Cartier Minaudiere purse...

Category

1970s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Antique Century Traditional Sewing machine Vibrating, circa 1950
Antique Century Traditional Sewing machine Vibrating, circa 1950

Antique Century Traditional Sewing machine Vibrating, circa 1950

Located in Roma, IT

Antique sewing machine Vesta Handcrank vibrating shuttle Serial Number: 2655227 Made in Germany Ideal for sewing most materials such as denim, canvas, silk, calico and the like, Could be used as was intended for sewing or recycled as a small office ornament...

Category

1950s European Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Pedersen & Hansen Desk Organizer
Pedersen & Hansen Desk Organizer

Pedersen & Hansen Desk Organizer

By Pedersen & Hansen

Located in San Francisco, CA

Pederen & Hansen design teak desk top organizer. High quality materials and execution perfect for keeping an organized desk or work space. In very good original condition.

Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

Black marble carved large Ming
Black marble carved large Ming

Black marble carved large Ming

By Casa Mineral

Located in Mexico City, MX

Ming in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Letter Rack
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Letter Rack

Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Letter Rack

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze "Graduate" pattern desk letter holder rack with verdigris green patina By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New Y...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Ocean Liner Ship Souvenir Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1910s
Ocean Liner Ship Souvenir Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1910s

Ocean Liner Ship Souvenir Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1910s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Gorgeous vintage metal money bank. A beautiful decorative item in metal with a missing lock. Made in Europe, circa 1910s or older. Nice addition to any collection, desktop, living ro...

Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

HERMES PARIS BURR & BURL WALNUT & AMBOYNA DESK STATiONERY SET PAD HOLDER PEN POT
HERMES PARIS BURR & BURL WALNUT & AMBOYNA DESK STATiONERY SET PAD HOLDER PEN POT

HERMES PARIS BURR & BURL WALNUT & AMBOYNA DESK STATiONERY SET PAD HOLDER PEN POT

By Hermès

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of original suite if super rare and highly collectable Hermes Paris stationary items A wo...

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Antique Black Forest Inkwell, Hand-Carved Puppy, Switzerland, 1890
Antique Black Forest Inkwell, Hand-Carved Puppy, Switzerland, 1890

Antique Black Forest Inkwell, Hand-Carved Puppy, Switzerland, 1890

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Hand carved Black Forest inkwell featuring a puppy's head. Head tilts back to reveal glass inkwell.

Category

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

1950's New Old Stock Vintage Pocket Plane Whistles - Bundle Of Ten
1950's New Old Stock Vintage Pocket Plane Whistles - Bundle Of Ten

1950's New Old Stock Vintage Pocket Plane Whistles - Bundle Of Ten

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1950's New Old Stock Vintage Pocket Plane Whistles - Bundle Of Ten. We recently came across a large hoard of new old stock hardware and general merchandise items, laying untouched si...

Category

1950s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Delco Art Deco 1941 Vintage Bakelite R 1171 Tube Radio in Perfect Condition
Delco Art Deco 1941 Vintage Bakelite R 1171 Tube Radio in Perfect Condition

Delco Art Deco 1941 Vintage Bakelite R 1171 Tube Radio in Perfect Condition

Located in Miami, FL

An Art Deco tube radio designed by Delco. Here we are offering an absolutely stunning 1941 Delco model R-1171 tabletop tube radio. Featuring a gorgeous dark...

Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bakelite

Maritime Inkwell, Late 19th Century, France, circa 1880
Maritime Inkwell, Late 19th Century, France, circa 1880

Maritime Inkwell, Late 19th Century, France, circa 1880

Located in Greven, DE

Maritime Inkwell with Anchor Mount France, circa 1880 H × W × D: 12 × 10 × 8 cm Description: A rare maritime-themed inkwell featuring a prominent sculptural anchor motif. The dark...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Hand-Carved Wooden and Glass Inkwell with Dog Figure, 1920s
Hand-Carved Wooden and Glass Inkwell with Dog Figure, 1920s

Hand-Carved Wooden and Glass Inkwell with Dog Figure, 1920s

Located in Barntrup, DE

Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved linden wood inkwell with a realistic dog figure with glass eyes. The stand includes a designated rest for pens and accessories in the front, ...

Category

1920s Swiss Black Forest Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood

Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970's
Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970's

Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970's

By Archimede Seguso

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Superbly crafted hand blown angel fish by Archimede Seguso, Murano, Italy Circa 1970's Signed with original label on base Height 4 inch, Width 2.25 inch, Depth 5.5inch In very good...

Category

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

Materials

Glass

Art Deco Shagreen & Silver Plated Magnifying Glass c.1930
Art Deco Shagreen & Silver Plated Magnifying Glass c.1930

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

White Vase Faces Sculpture
White Vase Faces Sculpture

White Vase Faces Sculpture

By Jonathan Adler

Located in New York, NY

A relatively large white ceramic face or 'faces' vase. This sculpture vase can make a great statement piece in a living room, library, powder room, ...

Category

Early 2000s Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand, Two Cut Glass Inkwells With A Pen Tray
Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand, Two Cut Glass Inkwells With A Pen Tray

Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand, Two Cut Glass Inkwells With A Pen Tray

Located in Reading, Berkshire

An Impressive Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand With Two Cut Glass Metal Topped Inkwells With A Formed Pen Tray Base Decorated With A Rope & Key Design Will Be Supplied With ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Antique Art Nouveau French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Letter Opener E. Famin
Antique Art Nouveau French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Letter Opener E. Famin

Antique Art Nouveau French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Letter Opener E. Famin

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Art Nouveau French Ormolu Gilt Bronze Letter Opener E. Famin France Bronze Early 20th Century Dimensions: Length: 25cm This fine letter opener dates to the early 20th...

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Polished Ammonite Paperweight
19th Century Polished Ammonite Paperweight

19th Century Polished Ammonite Paperweight

Located in Knivsta, SE

19th Century Polished Ammonite Paperweight A beautiful and naturally sculptural 19th-century paperweight formed from a finely polished ammonite fossil. The elegant spiral—shaped ove...

Category

19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Black Box Bird Duck Mosaic
Black Box Bird Duck Mosaic

Black Box Bird Duck Mosaic

By The Couroc Company

Located in New York, NY

A black resin rectangular box with mosaic inlaid mallard duck bird on pond with cattail plant flower; all inlaying was done by hand with natural materials...

Category

Late 20th Century American Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Stylized Sommerso Frog Sculpture / Paperweight by Murano Glass
Stylized Sommerso Frog Sculpture / Paperweight by Murano Glass

Stylized Sommerso Frog Sculpture / Paperweight by Murano Glass

By Murano 5

Located in San Diego, CA

Gorgeous stylized frog sculpture / paperweight in green and clear glass sommerso by Murano Glass, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and h...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Pair of Vintage Montblanc Meisterstruck & Starwalker Pens with Boxes & Papers
Pair of Vintage Montblanc Meisterstruck & Starwalker Pens with Boxes & Papers

Pair of Vintage Montblanc Meisterstruck & Starwalker Pens with Boxes & Papers

By Montblanc

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This pair of vintage rollerball pens were made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. theiThe black cased pen from this grouping is their "Meisterstruck" model with a clear tip on the cap, and a gold band around the center of the barrel with "MONTBLANC" and "MEISTERSTRUCK" in block letters. The other pen of this group with the brushed metal case is their "Starwalker" model. Both pens come with thier original fitted boxes, and we have one outer box and some paperwork. Both of these Montblanc rollerball pens...

Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century
Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century

Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century

Located in Knivsta, SE

Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century A charming Empire-period paperweight featuring a finely cast gilt bronze sphinx resting on a rectan...

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Antique Natural Hippopotamus Tooth Bookends, Mounted Sculptural Specimen
Pair of Antique Natural Hippopotamus Tooth Bookends, Mounted Sculptural Specimen

Pair of Antique Natural Hippopotamus Tooth Bookends, Mounted Sculptural Specimen

Located in Miami, FL

Pair of Antique Natural Hippopotamus Tooth Bookends, Mounted Sculptural Specimen A rare and striking pair of mounted natural hippopotamus tooth bookends, dating from the turn of the...

Category

Early 20th Century South African Desk Accessories

Materials

Bone, Wood

Large Vintage Murano Glass Paperweight, Millefiori Heart
Large Vintage Murano Glass Paperweight, Millefiori Heart

Large Vintage Murano Glass Paperweight, Millefiori Heart

By Fratelli Toso

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Large, unusual Murano glass paperweight features colorful millefiori structure, radiating in circular manner into an abstract geometric pattern; the colored glass is encased in subst...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

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.