French Ormolu Money Box Piggy Bank Angel Head Decor, Antique France 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal money bank featuring two exquisitely detailed angel head surrounded by elegant Art Nouveau ornaments. Crafted in France circa 1890s–1900s, or possibly earlier,...
Metal, Ormolu
Large Victorian Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Large, Victorian period, sterling silver-mounted controlled bubbles crystal inkwell with hinged lid, Boston, circa 1895, Bigleow ,Kennard and Co. makers. Measures: 3 3/4 inches high ...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Extra Large Size - Good Quantity Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Extra Large Size - Good Quantity Available. Sourced from Hungarian and Romanian street markets, crudely made and well used small chopping boards ma...
Beech
Brazilian Modern Female Sculptural Vase or Pen Holder, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Brazilian modern bronze vase or desk accessory / pen holder with a sculptural female bust circa 1960s.
Bronze
Orange Filament Murano Photo Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border and orange filament ribbon / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Height: 10.5 inches / width: 8.3 inches /...
Brass
Antique Victorian Hand Crafted Mahogany & Brass Desktop Lamp & Inkwell Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Victorian Hand Crafted Desktop Writing And Reading Stand. The Stand Is Fitted Additionally With One Brass Inkwell Pivotable Pen Stand Brass Perpetual Calendar. Sold With A...
Brass
Leather Desk Blotter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Large desk blotter by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, made of thick natural leather with stitched edge and solid metal corner fittings. The rectangular writing pad shows a beautifully ag...
Metal
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
Vintage Calanda Typewriter Czechoslovakia 1950s Industrial Metal Design
Located in Praha, CZ
Original Calanda mechanical typewriter, produced in Czechoslovakia, most likely by Zbrojovka Brno / later Závody Jana Švermy, dating from the late 1940s to 1950s. This piece represe...
Metal, Chrome
Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car
By Xavier Froissart, Daum
Located in New York, NY
Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car. Highly detailed large glass depiction of a classic car with frosted tires and engine. Designed by Xavier F...
Crystal
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze blotter ends in the "Grapevine" pattern, with a custom green leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends signed...
Bronze
$350 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Pro...
Brass, Nickel
Vintage Cast Iron Jack by Bill Curry, Mid-Century Modern, 1967
By Bill Curry, Bill Curry & Design Line
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Large Handmade Iron Jack by Bill Curry paperweight or bookend. Large vintage original handmade cast iron Jack, Jax, designed by Bill Curry of Design Line, 1967. This jack is made of cast iron and is in original condition. Great addition to any decor, Industrial retro Pop Art...
Iron
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Doré and Favrile Slag Glass Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Grapevine" pattern gilt bronze and Favrile slag glass pen tray or desk tray By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New Yo...
Bronze
$1,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
English Edwardian 1900s Silver Dressing Table Mirror, Hair and Clothes Brushes
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Edwardian period dressing table hand mirror, hair and clothes brushes from the early 20th century with silver piqué décor of garlands and medallions. Born in England during the early years of the 20th century, this exquisite set of hand mirror and brushes...
Silver
"Soffiati" Vittorio Zecchin by Cappellin Venini 1920s Murano Glass Plate
By Cappellin, Vittorio Zecchin
Located in Brescia, IT
"Soffiati" plate Vittorio Zecchin MVM Cappellin Italy, 1920 Blue Blown Glass Plate Very good condiction Original early 1900s No chips, no cracks
Murano Glass
Magnificent Life-Size Zanolli, Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Barn Owl c1980s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Impeccably hand painted life-size barn owl figure by Zanolli, Italy from the 1980's Has incredible presence - a terrific piece Circa 1980's Signed Zanolli, Italy Height 11.5 inch, Wi...
Ceramic
English Spode Bone China Pyramid, Gilded Imari Paperweight
By Spode
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A collector's quality bone china paperweight from Spode, England Exquisite gilding and floral enamel decoration topped with gilded ball accent Circa 2000 Signed Spode, England F1860-...
Porcelain
Desk Accessories, Letter Holder by Jacques Adnet and Letter Tray Paper Holder
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Handsome saddle leather letter holder by Jacques Adnet. Signature contrast stitching. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Paris...
Leather
Walter Bosse, Vienna: “Owl” Letter Opener – Brass & Black Patina, ca. 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
A design rarity of Viennese Modernism: An original letter opener with a sculpted owl motif as the handle, designed by Walter Bosse Solid brass, partially patinated.
Brass
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
FLUORO CALCIFORTE Art Nouveau Nude Lady Letter Opener Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
FLUORO CALCIFORTE letter opener. FLUORO CALCIFORTE dental pharmaceuticals. Antique Fluoro Calciforte advertising letter opener. Mermaid shape, boat prow. Brass/bronze in very good co...
Bronze
$780Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Victorian Blackened Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug Dog with Bow Tie Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Victorian Blackened Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug Dog with Bow Tie Inkwell England, circa 1880s Presenting a remarkable 19th-century Blackened Victorian Lignum Vitae Bull/Pug D...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Solid Oak Waste Basket / Magazine Bin, Architectural Frame De
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully constructed Mid-Century Modern waste basket or magazine bin, executed in solid oak with a warm, honey-toned finish that highlights the natural open grain. The design is...
Oak
Contemporary Solid Brass Aesop Oil Burner by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Solid Brass Aesop Oil Burner by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 11 x H 7 cm Materials: Brass An object of substance and beauty, a unique, refined alternative to traditional burners. Designed for Aesop by Studio Henry Wilson...
Brass
Black Leather Desk Basket with Saddle Stitching, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Black leather desk basket with saddle stitching. French work in the style of Jacques Adnet. Circa 1950 Additional Information: Material: Leather Period: Circa 1950 Dimensions: W: 9....
Leather
Domed Sunflower Paperweight by John Derian
By John Derian
Located in San Diego, CA
A wonderful domed art glass sunflower paperweight by John Derian, circa 1978. The paperweight is in very good vintage condition with no chips or scratches and measures 3.5"D x 1.75"...
Art Glass
English Sterling Silver Letter Opener Scallop Seashell Design Sheffield
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver letter opener with scallop seashell design, from sterling company Sheffield, circa mid to late-20th century, England. A beautiful sterling silver handle wi...
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Sommerso Glass Apple by Hanne Dreutler and Arthur Zirnsack for Studio Åhus
By Studio Ahus
Located in Bochum, NRW
Stunning classic Glass APPLE by Hanne Dreutler for Studio Åhus from 1992. Beautiful, vibrant light green and clear glass made in sommerso technique that originated in Murano, Italy. ...
Murano Glass
Quality antique Edwardian ornate brass desk set
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Edwardian ornate brass desk set, having a quality ornate brass desk set, having a letter rack to the back, and two sections for inkwells, raised on an brass ornate sh...
Brass
Rare Chinese opium smoking tray in mahogany , Cloisonné Bronze with Black Enamel
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Chinese opium smoking tray in cloisonné bronze with black enamel.Amazing detail. Divided into compartments plus the wick deposit. 6 trays.. Wonderful patina..Bronze foo dogs.. ...
Bronze, Enamel
Joseph Reinemann Jugendstil Pewter Novelty Bird Desk Inkwell, Germany c1902
By Robert Wallace Martin, Martin Brothers, Arts and Crafts Company
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Joseph Reinemann Jugendstil Pewter Novelty Bird Desk Inkwell, Germany c1902. Joseph Reinemann, Munich, a Jugendstil silvered pewter novelty desk inkwell in the form of a grotesque bi...
Pewter
Victorian Sterling Silver and Turquoise Blue Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Period, sterling silver and turquoise blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1866, R. Martin and E. Hall (doing business a...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$625 / set
Metal Geometric Abstract Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A substantial pair of metal bookends with a geometric abstract design and a copper-rose gold hue, in the Post-Modern Deconstructivist design style. Pair could work well as individual...
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
Tiffany Studios New York Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period silvered bronze and abalone blotter corners, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter corners sig...
Bronze
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
$1,785 / item
Bee
By Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Porcelain creation depicting a bee, part of the Awesome Insects collection. A surprising decorative design. The pollinizing species par excellence, t...
Porcelain
Zanetti Italian Murano Twisted Rope Paper Weight or Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A complex and beautifully made rope class twisted into a 5" round sphere of glass - perfect for a paperweight on you desk or workstation. Also, a stand alone sculpture or bookend. ...
Murano Glass
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Chrome Jack / Jax Bookend / Paperweight in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid chrome sculptural chrome jack / jax bookend, door stop or paperweight the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice p...
Chrome
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
Caithness Glass Ascension Paperweight by Alastair Macintosh, 1980
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Caithness glass paperweight named "Ascension", designed by Alastair Macintosh and dating to the last quarter of the 20th century. The paperweight has a cone, egg shaped form, having colours including blue swirl with orange net to the centre and medium bubble and smaller controlled bubbles, making a very distinctive design. The Caithness Glass Company began making paperweights circa 1962 Paul Ysart,Colin Terriss,Alistair Macintosh,Margot Thomson Inns Burn where some of Caithness makers designers of Caithness glass paperweights. The makers mark is etched to the base with CAITHNESS ASCENSION SCOTLAND and a scratched edition number alongside as per the images. This paperweight weighs about 500 gram. Caithness glass The company was founded in 1961 by Robin Sinclair and initially only made bowls, vases and drinking glasses. After Paul Ysart joined the company a year later, that paved the weigh for Paperweight production, with regular factory production starting in the late 1960s. In 1974 the first millefiori and lampwork paperweights...
Blown Glass
$76Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Oak Wood Letter Tray MCM Desk Accessory
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Oak Wood Letter Tray MCM desk accessory The Line Hedges File Illinois Dovetail joinery 2.5 h x 10.25 w x 12.5 d Preowned original condition Re...
Oak
Big Silvered Bronze Vienna Dog Sculpture, Paperweight, 1900s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Big silvered bronze Vienna dog sculpture, 1900s. Very good detailed silvered bronze dog sculpture. Perfect as desk paperweight. We have specialized in the ...
Bronze
Fratelli Toso Murano Clear Red Italian Art Glass Puppy Dog Paperweight Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Very cute vintage Murano hand blown red and clear Italian art glass puppy dog sculpture / paperweight. The figurine is documented to the Fratelli Toso company. The puppy dog still re...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
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...
Bronze
Wonderful antique Victorian ornate brass desk set
Located in Ipswich, GB
Wonderful antique Victorian ornate brass desk set having a quality ornate brass ink stand with a tray to the front, wonderful ornate detail with two brass ink wells with lift up lids...
Brass
1960's New Old Stock Vintage Bracelet Set Of Five - Size Small
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1960's New Old Stock Vintage Bracelet Set Of Five - Size Small. We recently came across a large hoard of new old stock hardware and general merchandise items, laying untouched sinc...
Plastic
Antique French Louis XV Style Bronze Ormolu Inkwell Signed Van De Voorde
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 6 1/2 in Width: 15 3/4 in Depth: 9 in This antique French Louis XV style bronze ormolu inkwell is truly a sight to be seen! If we take a look at the photos prov...
Bronze, Ormolu
Art Deco Silvered Desk Set, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Shovel and broom The shovel is: H: 1cm W: 20cm D: 21cm The Broom is: H: 4cm W: 5cm D: 28 Original condition.
Brass
Gucci Burgundy Leather and Brass Horsebit Wastepaper Basket, Italy 1950s
By Gucci
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Gucci Burgundy Leather and Brass Horsebit Wastepaper Basket. Beautiful craftsmanship and stitching. Italy 1950s Fully marked Made in Italy by Gucci
Brass
French Art Deco Rene Lalique Large Butterfly Glass Cachet 1919
By René Lalique
Located in Worcester Park, GB
An exceptionally rare and very early signed (R Lalique) original grey stained Rene Lalique 'Papillon Gros' cachet, dating from 1919 (Marcilhac ref: 19...
Art Glass
Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970's
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...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Desk Utensilo, Black Plastic, German Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Space Age Desk Utensilo, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Plastic Color: Bl...
Plastic
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slat Magazine Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut slat magazine holder, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 16.5" W x 7.75" D x 12.5" H. #3027.
Walnut
Fountain pen Ballpoint pen and pocket magnifying glass Set enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Luxurious Desk Set Ballpoint pen, fountain pen and small pocket magnifying glass in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent polychrome fire enamels on guilloche in an early 1900s A...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Reaction Poetique Centerpiece with Handle by Jaime Hayon for Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The Réaction Poétique Centrepiece with Handle by Jaime Hayon for Cassina is a refined statement piece that elevates any interior. Crafted with the signature artistry of the celebrate...
Wood
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Sommerso Blown Glass Swan Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Magnificent Murano blown-glass sculpture depicting an elegant pair of swans. This delightful piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s by the mastery of Archimede Seguso. In ama...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Ferrari Cars Badge / Emblem Lucite Desk Paperweight. Italy 1970´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Vintage Ferrari Badge / Emblem Lucite Desk Paperweight. Italy 1970´s. Very nice Ferrari Advertising paperweight. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vin...
Lucite
Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell, Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...
Silver Plate, Brass
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.