French Belle Epoque Bronze Desk Tidy with Pen Rest, Art Nouveau Design
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful Turn of the Century Decorative French Belle Epoque / Art Nouveau Bronze Desk Tidy. With A Pen Rest Hinged Inkwell Cover. Made By Depose, of France. Weighs 0.7kgs Height...
Bronze
Italian Industrial Design Grillo Flip Phone Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Oakland, CA
The Grillo "Cricket" phone the ringer sounds like crickets. designed by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper in 1965, this is a later version that can be used with touch tone architecture. This design has won numerous awards i.e. Compasso d' Oro 1967, Gold medal, Ljubljana, Bio, 1968. A fully working phone.
Plastic
North African Tin-Glazed Pottery Illuminator's Inkwell, Safi, Moroccan
Located in Nottingham, GB
Moroccan ceramics reflect a rich artistic inheritance shaped by centuries of Islamic craftsmanship and the enduring influence of Andalusian traditions. Centres such as Fez and Safi b...
Pottery
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
Post-Modern Double Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern polished chrome double letter tray, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition in heavy duty black plastic Made in The USA.
Plastic
Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Metal
END OF THE 19th CENTURY ENGLISH TRAVELING WRITING DESK
Located in Firenze, FI
This solid mahogany travel desk is a fine piece of English manufacture from the late 19th century. Made with high quality mahogany wood, it has an elegant and refined appearance. The...
Leather, Wood
$3,233Sale Price|20% Off
Large Antique English Brass Owl Inkwell, circa.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful and rare large figural inkwell, beautifully executed in the form of an Owl with fine detail. The hinged head lifts to reveal a fitted ink chamber which looks to be a ...
Brass
Carl Auböck Midcentury Tuning Fork Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist tuning fork keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length inc...
Brass
Jugendstil fruit knives with holder vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, Au
Jugendstil fruit knives with holder vienna around 1908 Steel and bone handle Original condition
Steel
1960s/1970s Rare Rolls Royce Musical Decanter Large Desk Ornament, Rolls Royce
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
1960s/1970s Rare Rolls Royce Musical Decanter Large Desk Ornament, Rolls Royce Musical Decanter with the “Silver Sprit of Ecstasy” Mascot by Charles Sykes Silver Spirit This is a c...
Metal
Set of 4 Mid-Century German Metal Office Rubber Stamp Holder and 3 Stamps, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Metal Office Rubber Stamp Holder and 3 Stamps, 1960s, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Plastic ...
Metal
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in Norwich, England
19th Century Italian micro mosaic grand tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870. Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset ...
Slate
Fountain Pen Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold Nib Fire-Enamel Art Deco Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Fountain p en in 925/1000 sterling silver and 14 kt gold nib, with fire-enamelled Art Deco design. Diameter mm. 11, length cm. 14. Silver weight gr. 53. . Designed by Giorgio Salimbe...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Art Deco Illuminated Terrestrial Globe by Barrère & Thomas, France 1940s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
French globe by Girard Barrère & Thomas. This small glowing glass globe was made before 1948. Typical Art Deco design on a step-shaped base made of aluminum and a globe made of glass.
Aluminum
Carl Auböck Model #4272-2 'Rooster' Brass Bell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #4272-2 'Rooster' brass bell. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass. The brass is unlacquered and will develop a patina over time. Shine can be restored with brass polish if desired. A handcrafted piece, the brass rooster bell...
Brass
Hermès Paris 1960s Equestrian Horse Head Paper Holder – Made in France
By Hermès
Located in Victoria, BC
A refined vintage Hermès Paris desk accessory, made in France during the 1960s and designed in the maison’s celebrated equestrian style. This elegant paper holder features a beautifu...
Metal
Mid-Century German Red Space Age Desk Utensilo from Quandt Hamburg, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Red Space Age Desk Utensilo from Quandt Hamburg, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information:...
Plastic
Empire period gilt bronze obelisk inkwell
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Chased and gilded bronze inkwell on a canted base with a frieze of interlacings centered on rosettes. Leobelisk model, topped by a seeded fruit. It features two covered cups decorate...
Bronze
Italian Gold Gilt Tole and Black Marble Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Mid-20th century Italian gold gilt tole and black marble table or desk lamp, Italy, circa 1960s. Gilt tole is a combination of flowers and l...
Marble, Metal, Tôle
Vintage Postmodern Chrome Table Lighter Kogen Japan, 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Postmodern chrome table lighter Kogen Japan Piezo, 1970s Postmodern vintage chrome table lighter. Removable lighter portion is marked Piezo on top and Kogen on bottom Vintage mid century modern 70s table lighter. Does not work. Great decorative collectible rare vintage table lighter...
Chrome
$64Sale Price / item|24% Off
Calligraphy Brush Blue and White Double Happiness
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful Chinese calligraphy brush with blue and white porcelain. Handle with hand painted blue and white porcelain balls of "double happiness" characters, hand polished and crafted. Bone ferrule and horse hair. This is a great brush for painting and calligraphy art...
Porcelain
Sweep Dust Pan and Brush with Wall Mount Peg, Made of Brass and Horsehair Brush
Located in Chicago, IL
This dust pan and brush bring a whole new dimension to cleaning. Made of brass and horsehair, the set comes with a magnetic peg that allows for the pan and brush to be proudly be dis...
Brass
Bracelet in Gold, Emerald and Brilliant
Located in Madrid, ES
Bracelet in gold, emerald and brilliant. It has 5 emeralds and 4 brilliants. 18k gold. Measures 20 cm length and weight 20g Very good condition. Measure: 20cm.
Gold
Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
Set Tronador Mini Boxes, Cream Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Dimensions : 3.1 x 3.1 x 3.9 " 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.2" The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a...
Stone, Onyx
Jewelry Box Purple Charoite Gemstone
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, substantial and rare natural purple charoite gemstone mineral jewelry box, circa late-20th century. Charoite is rare gemstone mineral. A beautiful organic pattern g...
Stone, Chrome
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Blotter Corners With Desk Blotter, Circa 1920s
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper blotter corners with desk blotter By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Circa 1920s...
Brass, Copper
$490 / item
Antique Money Coin
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique money coin Each coin is unique and varies slightly in size and stain. Each coin features natural distressing. Sold individually.
Wood
Italian Tiger’s Eye and Gilt 800 Silver Desk Pen Holder by Mazzetti Milano, 1950
Located in Roma, IT
Refined and unique Italian desk pen holder crafted in magnificent natural tiger’s eye and finished with elegant gilt 800 silver mounts. This sophisticated object was produced in Mila...
Quartz, Silver
Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk, Sweden
By Gusums Bruk
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant brass inkstand in Gustavian style from Gusums Bruk in Sweden. Manufactured during the early 20th Century. Gusums Bruk are known for high-quality brass objects and an unusuall...
Brass
Exceptional Italian Alligator Desk Set Pristine Condition
Located in Buchanan, MI
An Italian alligator desk set comprising a blotter, a letter rack, a letter tray, a desk pad, a pen stand, a desk clock with Roman numeral hours, a ...
Leather
$401 / item
Brucaliffo brass geometrical shaped ashtray
Located in Firenze, FI
Perfect for both smokers and non-smokers alike, this brass ashtray is not only functional but also visually appealing. Its geometric shape adds a touch of modern elegance to any room...
Brass
Original Victorian Door Knob Cast Pewter Paperweight, Glasgow School of Art
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Original Glasgow School of Art, artist's proof of a pewter casting of a Victorian door knob The mold for this one-off casting was created using a V...
Pewter
Vintage Peruvian 20th Century Brass Peru Souvenir Desk Accessory Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Vintage Peruvian 20th Century Brass Peru Souvenir Desk Accessory Letter Opener Peru Brass 20th Century Dimensions: Length 15.5cm This vintage letter opener was crafted in the ...
Brass
Sterling Silver Plate Letter Opener Horse Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A substantial sterling silver-plated letter opener with horse head handle, circa mid-20th century, USA. A great desk, office, library, etc., accessory. With maker's mark on underside...
Metal, Silver Plate
Mauro Manetti Stirrup Cup, Brass & Silver Plate, Boar Head, 1970
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mauro Manetti classic style stirrup cup, is of plain beaker form with a cast boar head to one end. Playful stirrup cup from the 1970s in brass and silver plate. Gorgeous stirrup cup ...
Silver Plate, Pewter, Brass
Teak Dice Pen Holder, by Sowe Konst , Swedish Modern Desk Accessory, 1960s
By Sowe Konst
Located in Delft, NL
Teak Dice Pen Holder, by Sowe Konst , Swedish Desk Accessory, 1960s Sowe Konst, teak dice shaped pen / pencil holder Swedish modern desk accessory, 1960s M...
Teak
$136Sale Price|30% Off
1920s Art Deco Egyptian Revival Brass Pyramid Inkwell With Milk Glass Holder
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original 1920s Art Deco era Egyptian Revival pyramid-shaped brass inkwell with milk glass ink container. The ink well has a top-hinged lid for easy access to ink when needed and is a...
Brass
Grand English Bulldog Novelty Inkwell with Glass Eyes, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent English Victorian inkwell made from solid English brass having been professionally polished to gleam. This grand figural dog inkwell was modelled in the form of an E...
Brass
Antique Grand Tour Mahogany Boulle Work Brass Inlaid Desk Set Inkstand Regency
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of an English Grand Tour Regency period brass Boulle Work inlaid Mahogany Inkstand of rectangular outline and generous proportions. First quarter of the Nin...
Brass
Vintage Moroccan Blue and Gold Embossed Leather Padfolio
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan Blue and Gold Embossed Leather Padfolio. Vintage leather Moroccan portfolio. Blue and gold vintage Moroccan leather hand tooled leath...
Leather
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Gray Agate Letter Opener / Paper Knife
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and gray agate letter opener/paper knife, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1901, Mappin and Webb - makers. The agate has d...
Agate, Sterling Silver
German art deco typewriter Continental by Wanderer-Werke A.G. Chemnitz, 1930s
Located in MIlano, IT
German art deco typewriter Continental by Wanderer-Werke A.G. Chemnitz, 1930s Typewriter model Continental with a rectangular base and rounded corners, in black painted metal. On the...
Metal
Vintage "Earth Planet Safari" Glass Globe Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage "Earth Planet Safari" Glass Globe Paperweight "hold those papers down with the weight of the world"
Glass
$3,200 / set
Hermès Ink Blotter by Dupre-Lafon, 1970s France
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Hermès ink blotter by Dupre-Lafon. Made with thick tanned cowhide and finished with a thick brass ring on top with the words Hermès Paris imprint...
Brass
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Copper Letter Rack
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period hand hammered copper letter rack By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 7.75"W x 2.5"D x 4"H. Go...
Copper
Inkwell w/ Chinese Jade and Carnelian and Silver Mounts by Edward Farmer, 1920s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Memorialized as an art and antique dealer and "collector of Chinese jades and porcelains" in a 1942 obituary in the New York Times, Edward Farmer, like his father, traveled to China ...
Jade, Silver
$300Sale Price|25% Off
Barovier Toso Murano Clear Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Figurine Sculpture
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear, gold flecks, and bubbles Italian art glass baby bird figurine. Documented to the Barovier e Toso Company. I have owned several with labels ...
Gold Leaf
$2,983 / set
Gucci Vintage Black Leather Desk Set 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Stunning Gucci desk set made of black leather and brass. Four pieces include: massive desktop blotter or pad, huge letter opener, envelope holder and a leather pen holder with glass ...
Brass
WILLIAM SPRATLING 1960 Dominoes Box Set In Carved Wood & .925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Box of dominoes set designed by William Spratling. This is a decorative desk box with a dominoes set created in Taxco Mexico by the silversmith and jewelry designer William Spratlin...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Gucci Geometric G Desk Mat
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gucci Geometric G red white and blue canvas desk mat / Made in Italy Original mark stamped underside, comes in original box Length: 23 inches / Width: 14 inches 1 available in stock ...
Glass
Lotus — Handcrafted Brass Bookend for Desk or Display
Located in Porto, PT
The Lotus Bookend is more than a functional accessory, it is a sculptural art object inspired by the symbolism of the lotus flower, a universal emblem of purity, wisdom, and renewal....
Brass
Collection of Five Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage German, 1920s - 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous Collection of four vintage sheet metal and one ceramic money banks. A beautiful decorative lot for display. Made in Germany, between circa...
Metal
$910Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Desk Drawer, Japanese Ebonised Pine Desktop Folio, Victorian, Edo Period
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique desk drawer. A Japanese, ebonised pine desktop folio, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Attractive desk tidy with appealing hand-finished charm Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order Ebonised pine frame presents dark tonality Accentuated to the top with a saffron yellow hatched border Hand-painted Japanese motif adds a flourish to the front and sides Useful drawer dressed with a small brass pull for ease of opening Light crimson interior with remnants of a decorative lining Later faux crocodile dressing to the top surface and base This is a charming antique desk...
Pine
Antique Victorian Silver & Cut Glass Inkstand Inkwell Desk Tidy London 1895
By Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd.
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Antique Victorian Silver Inkstand with two cut glass and Silver lidded Inkwells. The Inkstand has a lovely pierced design on the sides and stands on four feet. The Inks...
Sterling Silver
$168Sale Price|40% Off
Question Mark Midcentury "?" Paperweight, Solid Brass, Austria, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and decorative paperweight in the shape of a question mark from the 1970s. Made of solid brass, in good condition with nice patina.
Brass
$1,800 / set
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Sake Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper sake set with cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. A total of 8 cups, 8 saucers, and a sake pot. Floral design against the cobalt blue b...
Enamel, Copper
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
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Pelican Hood Ornament / Paperweight, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Bird Hood Ornament / Paperweight - France. Hard to find circa 1925 famous Pelican by Artus. (Pseudonym for Max ...
Marble, Metal
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.