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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1960s
Black and White Glass Inkwell
Located in Wien, AT
Black and white glass ink well
Brass nickel platend
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
French Copper & Wood Desk Art Nouveau Ink Blotter, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French ink blotter for blooting paper
Made circa 1900, in wood and embossed copper
Vegetal motifs
To be placed on a desk or a side table.
Good antique condition
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Copper
Parker Duofold Marbleized Fountain Pen & Pencil Set 1930's Rare Collectors Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
1930's Art Deco Parker Duofold Marbleised Fountain Pen & Pencil Set in Original Parker Box - rare collectors item.
Fountain Pen Made in Canada 14k nib
Geo S. Parker PAT SEP. 5-16
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate
Rare Antique Asprey & Co. London Oak & Tooled Green Leather Writing Desk 1920s
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Luxurious, Asprey & Co. London (Royal Warrant) Oak & Tooled Racing Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Table Made in England in the 1920s.
Item is sold complete with a Burgundy tooled red leather desk set also from Aspreys. It's a very attractive item befit with an aluminium desk calendar, letter opener and two vertical pen rests.
The rectangular and hinged two panel top encloses a green leather writing surface which reveals itself when opened from the top, item is raised on square tapering legs...
Category
1920s English Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Oak
Venus de Milo White Granite Marble Female Figurative Statue Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful white granite marble reproduction of Greek goddess 'Venus de Milo' female figure statue sculpture in the Neoclassical style, circa early 20th century, Italy. A great deco...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Granite, Marble
Large Antique English Oak Perpetual Calendar, c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome good sized perpetual calendar in an attractive solid Oak.
The keys to the side are used to forward and return the day, date and month on the rollers, protected by a gla...
Category
1920s British Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
Travelling Marble Solitaire Board Game with 35 mixed stone Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good and complete board game of Marble Solitaire, with a hand turned hardwood board and 35 agate stone and clay marbles, which we date to t...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Agate
Crystal Inkwells and Pen Trays Desk Set by Jacques Adnet and Baccarat, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Art Déco crystal desk set of inkwells and pen Trays by Jacques Adnet manufactured by Baccarat, France
By: Jacques Adnet, Baccarat
Material: glass, crystal
Techniq...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
French Art Deco Marble and Bronze Ink Well
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Art Deco marble inkwell with bronze details and well atop. The size and wonderful art deco detail make for this piece a complement to ma...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios Bronze Inkwell New York Bookmark Pattern
Located in Toledo, OH
Lovely bronze inkwell from Tiffany Studios in the New York Bookmark pattern. Beautifully detailed octagonal design with round lid. Marked Tiffany Studios 1094. 3" x 3" x 2 1/2" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
English Equestrian Horseshoe Silver Plate & Oak Desktop Inkwell Inkstand c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English Edwardian silverplate and oak inkwell inkstand with a pen rest, circa 1900. This fine inkstand has the original lovely cut cr...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
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
1960s Catchall / Vide-Poche in Porcelain "La Gioconda" by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Original astonishing porcelain catchall / vide-poche "La Gioconda" by Piero Fornasetti. Heavy porcelain construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. Marked on the bottom...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Val Saint Lambert Dog Bone Sculpture Crystal Glass Paperweight, Belgium
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a stunning Val Saint Lambert Dog Bone Sculpture Crystal Glass Paperweight. It has the maker's mark on the side of the glass. Val Saint Lambert is one of the leading crystal m...
Category
1960s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Petite Murano Glass Paperweight Flower inside Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop. Found at an estate sale in Verona, Italy....
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid-century Design Phone Tesla, 1960's.
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
Tesla Manufacturer
Made in Czechoslovakia
Fully Functional
Beautiful Decoration
Good Original condition
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Art Nouveau Glass Paperweight with Floral Silver Overlay, c. 1910s
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant paperweight from the early 20th century is expertly crafted of cut glass and floral silver overlay in the manner of Art Nouveau. The translucent glass cube is shaped wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Mid-Century Modern Onyx and Marble Desk Accessory, Box, Pen Holder, Ruler, 3 pc
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare functional 1960s Mid-Century modernist desk accessories set crafted in Italy in the 1960s. The set comprises three pieces: a pen holder, a box, and a ruler. The refined shape ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Early 20th Century Tortoise Shell Letter opener with a Sterling Silver Handle
Located in Stamford, CT
Simply amazing Tortoise Shell letter opener with a sterling silver handle one of the best I have seen. Its a very beautiful looking piece and in one of the photos shows the tortoise ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Antique Luggage Crocodile Skin Leather Suitcase, Colonial
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique suitcase made of crocodile leather handstitched with leather lacing and secured with tacks, an attractive antique reptile skin suitcase with a...
Category
Early 1900s British British Colonial Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Faux Leather
Fancy Antique Swedish Telephone Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Fancy brass , black lacquer with gilded decoration. A work of art. Swedish Coat of arms on dial. . Circa 1910. Working condition. Made by L.M. Ericsson, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Danish Brass Satin Glass Two-Light Table Lamp Desk Lamp, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Scandinavian brass two-light table or desk Lamp designed and produced in Denmark in the 1960s. Clean lines and organic design from the Scandinavian Modern period with satin finish gl...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Tiffany & Co. Bronze Doré Medusa Vanity Hand Mirror, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique gilt bronze Medusa vanity hand mirror or decorative mirror
By Tiffany & Co. (signed on the back)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1960s Dunhill Lift Arm Ostrich Leather Lighter
By Dunhill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Dunhill lift arm lighter made in the 1960s. Body wrapped in ostrich leather that has a perfect patina. Amazing texture and practical size perf...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920
Located in Charleston, SC
Tiffany Studios bronze desk lamp with original iridescent shade, scrolled bulbous harp, and resting on circular fluted base with the original five bal...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Wire
Blow glass and silver Art nouveau inkwell, depicting iris flowers, France 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Art Nouveau writing desk inkwell, made of a blow glass with silver inserts, depicting iris flowers. France circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Desk Accessories
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Stamp Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern stamp box
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measure...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
Style WMF Art Nouveau Brass and Copper Flowerpot with Levers and Organic Details
Located in Verviers, BE
Style WMF Art Nouveau brass and copper flowerpot with levers and organic details
Hand-hammered out of one piece of copper.
Brass handles with Organic style details
With original...
Category
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Copper
French Set of Champleve Enameled Small Inkwell and Letter Opener
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small bronze champleve enamel set of an inkwell and letter opener. Both of them depicts colorful hand painted flowers, “C” scrolls and foliages. The resting plate of the in...
Category
Early 20th Century French Classical Roman Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Carl Auböck Letter Opener in Leather and Brass, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck leather and brass letter opener, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Siemens Cricket Phone Marco Zanuso Richard Sapper
Located in Taranto, IT
Iconic cricket model telephone designed in 1965, winner of the 1967 compasso d'oro award, was exhibited at MOMA in New York in 1993.
Item is in good conservative condition, present ...
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Signed A. Seguso Pair of Pink Murano Glass Bird Sculptures, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic pair of mouth-blown bird sculptures in pink Murano glass. These delightful bird are signed on the bottom by A. Seguso and were produced in Murano, Italy in the 1960s.
Th...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Silver Plate Victorian Repoussé Magnifying Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Silver Plated magnifying glass with ornate handle of Repousse Silver.
A Wonderful addition to any sophisticated desk, used to magnify or as a paperweight.
A compleme...
Category
Early 20th Century European Victorian Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Art Nouveau Brass Ink Blotter
Located in New York, NY
A brass Art Nouveau period ink blotter. Beautiful Art Nouveau details captured in blotters' handle. Use for its intended purpose or as a standalone piece decorative object on a desk,...
Category
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Victorian Ebonised Desk Set With Two Cut Glass Inkwells Decorated With Brass
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Lovely Victorian Ebonised Desktop Tidy With Two Cut Glass Inkwells, With Attractive Brass Rails & Decorative Idents & Drawer
Supplied With A Modern Day Quill Pen, Notepad & A Vint...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome, Brass
Cartier Paris 1920 Art Deco Chinoiserie 18kt Desk Clock in Nephrite Jade Enamel
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Cartier.
An impressive and beautiful desk clock, created in Paris France by the house of Cartier, during the art deco period, back in the 1920. This stunning rare piece has been designed with Chinoiserie patterns and carefully crafted up with parts in yellow gold of 18 karats and carved nephrite green jadeite jade. Accented with applications of navy blue enamel and fitted on top, with a hinged retractable handle.
The movement is mechanical It is accompanied with the associated original key for the winding. The dial is silver with guilloche, Roman numerals with gold hands and inscribed, Cartier.
Weight: 320.95 Grams, (205.74 Dwt).
Measurements: 69 mm by 31 mm by 78 mm (2.72 x 1.22 x 3.07 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, five times with the head of the eagle for the assay and guaranty of the gold, two times with the maker's mark JM inside of a lozange cartouche and signed on the reverse, "CARTIER 1649".
Literature: Olivier Bachet & Alain Cartier, Cartier Exceptional...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Jade, Gold, Silver, Enamel
Cartier Paris London 1905 Belle Epoque Enamel Desk Clock 18kt Gold & Platinum
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Belle epoque desk clock designed by Cartier.
An impressive and magnificent "mignonette" desk clock, created in Paris France by the house of Cartier, during the Edwardian Belle Epoque period, back in the 1905. This stunning piece is very rare and has been designed with neoclassic French patterns and carefully crafted with parts made up in yellow gold of 18 karats, silver and platinum. It is mounted with four spherical parts, carved from green chrysoprase. The five sides are embellished with applications of vivid purple enamel over a sunburst and linear guilloche ground and the borders are accented with a linear frame of white champleve enamel. Fitted in the reverse with a system to open and close the three winding parts to manipulate.
Movement: Mechanical 8 days, key winding and It is accompanied with the associated original key.
Dial: White ceramic, with Arabic black numerals, with gold indexes batons for the seconds and gold hands with juxtaposed circles ending on arrowhead, inscribed, Cartier Paris-London.
Diamonds: The platinum part on top is mount, with 60 calibrated Old European rose cuts diamonds, 0.30 carats, F color, VS-1 clarity
Chrysoprase: Mounted with screws on the base, with 4 four spherical cabochon cuts carved from natural translucent green chrysoprase with a weight of 8 carats.
Weight: 272.8 Grams, (174.87 Dwt).
Measurements: 69 mm by 50 mm by 37 mm (2.72 x 1.97 x 1.46 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the mark of the boar for the silver and the gold assay and warranty, the maker's mark for Eugène Bako inside a lozenge cartouche, the case numbers, the Cartier serial numbers and signed at the bottom, "CARTIER LONDON PARIS 2027,11290,11453,21".
Literature: Olivier Bachet & Alain Cartier, Cartier Exceptional objects, Palais Royal 2021, Volume 1, Pp-117 and 128, for two similar Illustrated, see figures.
Comparative Literature: Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier, Jewelers Extraordinary, London, 1984, pl.18 Barracca, Negretti & Nencini, Le Temps de Cartier, Milan, 1989, p.34 A Cartier carriage clock of very closely related design was sold Antiquorum Geneva, The Magical Art of Cartier, 19 November 1996, lot 36 (illustrated in its travel case in Nadelhoffer). The dial design may be compared with other Cartier desk clocks of this period illustrated in Barracca et al.
Publications: Published in the Vogue Art...
Category
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Platinum, Silver, Enamel
Edgar Brandt Style Hand Forged Iron Snake or Serpent Sculpture, Austria, 1920s
By Edgar Brandt
Located in Vienna, AT
A wrought iron Art Nouveau era model of a snake / serpent. High-quality craftsmanship, handmade of forged iron by a Viennese metalworker in the 1920s.
A decorative object, which would look great in your shelf, but also suitable as a paperweight, a jewelry ring holder...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Category
Early 1900s French Empire Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Antique Hand Forged Organic Design Arts & Crafts Multi Purpose Box, circa 1920
By Hugo Berger
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, wrought iron box attr. to Hugo Berger Goberg.
It is always refreshing to find an antique object probably by a famous maker, that you have never seen befo...
Category
Early 20th Century German Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Wrought Iron, Metal
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends in the "Pine Needle" pattern, with a custom green leather desk blotter.
By Tiffany Studios (blotter ends sign...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Marble Solitaire Game with hardwood board and 33 agate stone Marbles, Circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good and complete board game of Marble Solitaire, with a hand turned hardwood board and 33 agate stone marbles, which we date to the Art Deco period of the 20th Centur...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Agate
Art Nouveau Desk Set by Tiffany Calendar, Ink Dryer, Box and Clip
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Art Nouveau desk set by Tiffany calendar, ink dryer, box and clip
Sizes:
Measures: Perpetual calendar 16 x 16 cm
Box 10 x 7 x 4 cm
Clip 6 x 10 x 3...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Seven-Piece Desk Set
Located in Northport, MI
An exceptional seven-piece desk set by Tiffany Studios New York, crafted circa early 20th century in the iconic Pine Needle Pattern. This finely detailed ensemble features warm bronz...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Art Nouveau Viper Lamp by Unknown French Artist
Located in Chicago, US
Little is known about the origins of this amazing lamp, apart from it being from France, circa 1900.
Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, f...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Antique Bronze Tray, Desk Tray, Hazelnut, Signed "Louchet Ciseleur", circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Wonderful naturalistic utensil desk tray in the design of two hazelnut leaves and hazelnuts on top.
Signed at the bottom "Louchet Ciseleur".
At the bottom of the hazelnuts is a sta...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
French Art Deco Dancer Sculpture by Alexandre-Joseph Derenne for Max Le Verrier
By Alexandre-Joseph Derenne 1, Max Le Verrier
Located in Ulm, DE
Danseuse Païenne (pagan dancer)
graceful sculpture of a dancer
Design by Alexandre-Joseph Derenne for Max Le Verrier
Patinated spelter
Marble base
Original Art Déco, Franc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Austrian Ormolu Dog Motif Letter Opener, Circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian Ormolu dog motif letter opener, Circa 1900, With subtle art nouveau influences, the well cast ormolu letter opener, rests on either side or upright...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
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
Art Deco Pair of Pelican Figure Bookends in Hand Carved Woods, circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a good pair of Art Deco period, Book ends of two Pelicans hand carved in wood.
Each stylised pelican has been well hand carved in a dark hardwood and stands on a base f...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Dalton Adding Machine c.1912
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An antique cast iron and steel Dalton adding machine with Bakelite keys, wooden handle and original brass plaque with patent dates of 1912. With a fully functional wood and st...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Iron
Royal Model O Touch Control Glossy Black Portable Manual Typewriter in Case
By Royal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Royal Model O Touch Control Glossy Black Portable Manual Typewriter in Case. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: Case 6" H x 13" W x 12" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Sitting Kewpie or The Thinker, Silvered Bronze Car Mascot Hood Ornament, 1910´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
"Sitting Kewpie" or "The Thinker", Car Mascot Hood Ornament, 1910´s.
Made of silvered bronze, mounted over a green and white mrble base.
Can de used as a desk paperweight.
Originally appearing in the form of magazine illustrations between 1905 and 1909, Kewpie dolls...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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.