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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1850s
Royal Copenhagen Turquoise Crackle Glaze Tumbler Pot With Gilded Decor #3491
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Thorkild Olsen for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, porcelain crackle glaze tumbler pot
Turquoise crackle glaze with gilded bands. Pale grey crackle interior
Circa 1963
Stamped and numbere...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Hand Crafted Onyx Cylindric Decorative Vase, Italy 1970's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Tall hand-crafted cylindric decorative vase in Onyx.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Gilded Bronze Box with Poem by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze poudrier box with cast poem on surface by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The poem "Les 4 ages de la Femme" was an old French lyrical poem th...
Category
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1920s Bostonian Tailors Paperweight Curiosity Desk Object Architect Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful desk relic from a Bostonian Tailor.
Category
1930s American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Signed Bronze Dish by Italian Gio Pomodoro Il Sestante Galeria
Located in Chicago, IL
A bronze sculpture / dish by Italian artist Gio Pomodoro for Il Sestante Galleria, Milan, Italy, circa 1958. This example is much larger than the usually found sculptural dishes. The...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Hermes Paris 1960 Vintage Modernist Desk Box Round Covered Dish In silver
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Round covered dish designed by Hermes.
This is a very beautiful and highly decorative piece, created in Paris France by the luxury house of Hermes, back in the 1960. This useful des...
Category
1960s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
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
Vintage Mr. Peanuts Dispenser, USA, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Mr. Peanuts Dispenser is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century.
This vintage object was realized by Tarco Company and it was used as a real peanut...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Saint Clement Style Crackle Finish Ceramic Vase
Located in Miami, FL
French mid-century ceramic vase in the style of Saint Clement crackle finish pieces.
Good quality craftsmanship.
Unmarked.
Measures: 6 1/8" diameter x 12" high.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Bronze Figural Nude Greek Wine God Bacchus Sculpture Statue
Located in New York, NY
A small figural nude verte green bronze Greek God 'Bacchus' sculpture statue, circa mid-20th century. Bacchus was known as the 'wine' God. Piece has nice, made of sold bronze or brass, with a dark green matte verdigris finish. Dimensions: 2.13" Depth x 2.25" Width x 6.25" Height.
Round Side Table shown, search 1stdibs ID#: LU1314219316612 (SOLD.)
Lucite Side Table shown search 1stdibs ID#: LU1314212156103
Modern Art Deco Spheres...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Greco Roman Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Midcentury Tommaso Barbi Picture Frame in Burl and Sterling Silver, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century rectangular photo frame in burl and sterling silver. This elegant piece was designed in Italy in the 1970s in the style of T. Barbi by Giulia Schmid Milano and i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver
Charming Pocket Watch Stand in the shape of an Elephant. Art Deco, 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very charming Pocket Watch Stand in the shape of an Elephant in Art Deco from the 1930s. The elephant is made of bronze and stands on a onyx base.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
1950s Fornasetti Paperweight in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Paul Ysart Glass Paperweight with Py Cane Early Period, Scotland Circa 1930s
By Paul Ysart
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful handmade concentric Millefiori, PY cane, Dark Glass Paperweight made by Paul Ysart in Scotland, during his early period, Circa 1930s.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Olivetti "Valentine" Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
Famous portable typewriter by Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy from the 1960s.
Totally functional with some wear.
3 pieces available.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Italian Male Bust Sculptures Grand Tour
By A. Santini
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) Italian male sculpture busts by R. Santini, in the classical Roman or Grand Tour design style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. This set of busts could be used for a library, office, etc., on a shelf, table, etc. Marked on bottom as shown in images.
Dimensions L to R:
Nerone: 4.63" Width x 6" Height
Augusto: 4.13" Width x 5.75" Height
Traiano: 4.63" Width x 6.19" Height
Italian table, search ref. #: LU1314231162942 (SOLD.)
For Corinthian capitol columns...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Desk Accessories
Materials
Composition
Mid century modern Murano Glass Paperweight, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
This beautiful Murano glass paperweight features a beutiful design with air bubbles suspended within the glass. The bottom is made of deep blue glass, where the bubbles are carefully...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Carl Aubock Art-Deco Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, Pre-War Production, Early 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Art-Deco Salt and pepper shaker set. Prewar production - very early 30s.
The body of the shakers (apple and pear) is made of coloured Bakelite, the stems are of silver plated brass....
Category
1930s Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Art Deco Streamlined Skyscraper Style Burled Carpathian Elm Letter Holder, 1930
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This elegant Art Deco Skyscraper style letter holder was realized in the United States, circa 1930. It features four concentric demilune streamlined forms that diminish in size from ...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Burl
Glass Millefiori Paperweight by Strathearn or Perthshire Scotland, circa 1970
By Strathearn
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful handmade Millefiori collectors Paperweight, that we attribute to a Scottish maker, Circa 1970.
This paperweight is handmade with a mixed Millefiori cane design,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Seguso Murano Red Gold Flecks Purple Pulveri Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright red, dark purple and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture. Documented to Archimede Seguso, in the "Pulveri" design. The piece is pr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Red Cobra Table Phone, Ericofon by LM Ericsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage Rotary dial red ericofone. This is the model Cobra. It is made of thermoplastic ABS
Designed in the 1950s in Sweden by Hugo Blomberg, Ralph Lysell and Gösta Thames, LM Ericsson...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Italian Murano Internal Bubble Spherical Paperweight
Located in Round Top, TX
A breathtaking Murano glass ball paperweight, exquisitely hand-blown and adorned with mesmerizing bubbles, seemingly suspended in time. This remarkable piece, attributed to Murano’s ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Minimalist Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
1940's New Old Stock Vintage Coffee Bags - Pack Of Ten
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1940's New Old Stock Vintage Coffee Bags - Pack Of Ten. We sourced these from the US. Extraordinary original 1940's new old stock, never used, incredible graphics. Listing is for a p...
Category
1940s European Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Small Size - Good Quantity Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Vintage Wooden Chopping Boards - Small Size - Good Quantity Available.
Sourced from Hungarian and Romanian street markets, crudely made and well used small chopping boards made mai...
Category
1950s Hungarian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Beech
Enticing Berry Red Stemmed Fruit Crystal Perfume Bottle, England 1980's
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
Art Deco Macassar Wood and Chrome Desk Set Ruler, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This lovely Art Deco desk set ruler is the perfect accessory for any refined office ambiance. The ruler is made of Macassar wood with a chromed metal accent. The geometric shape is s...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Design Letter Holder Metal Scoubidou 1950s
Located in Poperinge, BE
Nice vintage letter holder from the 50s, made of bent wire metal with scoubidou holders, Fifties design object.
In very good, little used condition, check the photos for more detail...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Valenti Solid Brass Letter Opener Equestrian Detail Spain
By Valenti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Valenti Letter Opener Modernist design Spain
maker stamped
Solid Brass
Equestrian Horse Hoof exquisite detail
1 x 10.25
Original vintage
Refer to images
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Just Andersen - Letter-knife in Mint Condition - Original box - Art Deco, 1930's
Located in Stockholm, SE
One of a kind letter knife made by Just Andersen, Denmark in the 1930's with the original box from the Jeweller that the knife were bought from.
Mint condition been laying in the bo...
Category
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
Art Deco Pan-Am DC3 Wooden Airplane Desk Model, Midcentury
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco / midcentury large DC3 desk aviation model.
Pan-Am wooden airplane model.
It was in an office of the company in South America.
Very good restored conditions. Slight age wear.
History
Pan American Airways began the first transatlantic passenger service on this day in 1939. Pan American World Airways, as it was to be known, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal United States international air carrier from the late 1920s until its collapse on December 4, 1991. Founded in 1927 as a scheduled air mail and passenger service operating between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba, the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry, including the widespread use of jet aircraft, jumbo jets, and computerized reservation systems.
The history of Pan American Airways is inextricably linked to the expansive vision and singular effort of one man – Juan Trippe. An avid flying enthusiast and pilot, Trippe, only 28 years old when he founded the airline, lined up wealthy investors and powerful government officials from his personal acquaintances in the high-society of the 1920s. However, Pan Am’s first flight was an inauspicious start to its epic saga.
In 1927, facing a Post Office deadline for the commencement of mail carriage, Pan Am had no working equipment for its sole airmail contract between Key West and Havana. Fortunately for Pan Am, a pilot with his Fairchild seaplane arrived at Key West and was willing to carry the mail to Cuba for the start up operation. It is fitting that Pan Am’s first flight would be over water, since the airline would Pioneer overseas routes throughout its history.
Pan Am’s fortunes took a turn for the better in the fall of 1927. Through the heavy lobbying efforts of Juan Trippe, Pan Am was selected by the United States government to be its “chosen instrument” for overseas operations. Pan Am would enjoy a near monopoly on international routes. Added to Pan Am’s Cuba route were lines serving Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. Most of these destinations were port cities, which could be reached only by landing on water. Therefore Pan Am made good use of its “flying boats,” the Sikorsky S-38 and S-40. Flights were eventually expanded to serve much of South America as well.
EnlargePan Am’s fleet of Clippers allowed the airline to conquer the Pacific in the mid-1930s. The flying boats would later be put to military use in WWII.
Just a few years later, Pan Am launched its effort to cross the world’s largest oceans. Survey flights across the Pacific were conducted with the Sikorsky S-42 in 1935, but passenger service required bigger and better aircraft. Accompanied by much fanfare, the Martin M-130 was introduced in 1936, followed by the Boeing 314...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
SUDRE Art Deco 1930 French Barman Cigarette Dispenser In Burl & Cedar Wood
Located in Miami, FL
Barman mechanical cigarette dispenser bar designed by Raymond Sudre.
Fabulous and very elusive piece, created in France by Raymond Sudre during t...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Enamel, Steel, Chrome
5 Piece Art Deco Griotte Marble Desk Set 1930s
Located in Den Haag, NL
5 piece Art Deco desk set ,Solid Griotte Marble . Bookends
Inkwell , paperweight and a blotter to dry your ink .
Good condition .
Category
1930s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Griotte Marble
Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
By Hermès
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Hermes Paris magnifying glass desk accessory with domed lens ensconced in a silver frame with a belt design. We've left the oxidation and patina untouched and simply added a ...
Category
1960s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. , manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vintage Lalique Daim Deer Glass Frosted Paperweight or Figurine
By René Lalique, Lalique
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage glass paperweight.
By Lalique.
Designed by René Lalique in 1929.
Modeled as a grazing deer or "daim" (French for fallow spotted deer).
The deer in frosted and unf...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Massive Cloissone Vase of Pastel Crysanthemums
Located in Riverdale, NY
Massive Cloissone Vase of Crysanthemums from the 1950's China. Large in scale with finely hand detailed blooms of pastel crysanthemums, gradient green foliage with a bird in flight a...
Category
1950s Chinese Chinoiserie Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Italian mid-century modern brown wooden brass plastic television by Vega, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern brown wooden white plastic television by Vega, 1950s
Rectangular wooden television. The screen has rounded corners and a cream colored plastic frame, under...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Mark Cross Swan Tape Dispenser Italy
By Mark Cross
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
The swan is made of metal with a beautiful gilt finish. The back is hinged and the roll of tape is concealed in the interior. Italy stamped on the bottom along with artist initials a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Brassed WWII Era Mortar Shell Paperweights or Bookends Midcentury
By U.S. Army
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We have taken these hollowed out WWll mortar shells and brassed them to produce these very cool desk accessories.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Iron
Collector's Exotic Beetle Dish Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg, Sweden c1943
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A large exotic beetle in applied silver adorns this most unusual piece of Argenta stoneware by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden
Silver 'bamboo' decoration on rim and plain silv...
Category
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Luxury Saddle Leather and Brass Desk Set
By Hermès, Jacques Adnet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Luxury Saddle Leather and Brass Desk Set.
Jacque Adnet style Italian desk set scissors and letter opener with leather pouch.
Classic and traditional luxury desk leather library set w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
Leather Horseshoe Wall Clock by Jacques Adnet, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add some intrigue to your home or office with this handsome wall clock in black saddle leather. Featuring brass hardware and contrast stitching quintessential to the refined style of...
Category
1950s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Strathearn Scotland Millefiori Flowers Red White Ribbons Art Glass Paperweight
By Strathearn
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Strathearn hand blown millefiori flowers, white ribbons, hand made in Scotland art glass paperweight. It has 2 added murrines, one ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Murrine, Sommerso, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Porcelain Butterfly Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful small white porcelain oval jewelry or trinket box with colorful butterfly, leaves and cherries, circa mid to late-20th century. Piece has a raised butterfly knob...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Glazed Porcelain Leopard Sculpture
By Capodimonte
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Italian Mid-Century porcelain sculpture of a leopard, mid-stride, with open mouth.
Italian hand-painted glazed porcelain standing leopard.
M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
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
Midcentury Modernist Architectural Letter Tray Tiered Walnut Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Stunning midcentury modernist tiered letter file tray
walnut wood and aluminum
In the style of Florence Knoll
6.13 h x 10 w x 15
Great preowned vintage condition. Wood recently oile...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Walnut
20th century Vintage Marble and Brass Phone from Italy, 1960s
Located in LEGNY, FR
20th century marble phone made in Italy in the 60s.
Green marble and brass. Still working. Very good state. Retro style.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mid Century 8 Slot Desktop / File / Paper Organizer, Refinished in Green
Located in Alhambra, CA
1970s retro office file / paper / magazine holder stripped and freshly powder coated. Features 8 paper slots sure to keep your mid-century modern desk in tip-top shape.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
1950's Original Small Pathe Film Cassette - Large Quantity Available
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950's Original Small Pathe Film Cassette - Large Quantity Available.
Original untouched new old stock film cassettes from the iconic French film company Pathe. Listing is for a si...
Category
1950s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian El De Uberti Silver Plate Pen Rack Stand
By De Uberti
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely Italian silverplated pen rack stand with a scrolling design and delicate flowers. Makers mark for El De Uberti Italy. It would be a fabulous addi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Blue and White Marble Egyptian Revival Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial vintage blue and white carved marble hinged decorative box/jewelry box, circa-mid-20th century. Carved design on top depicts an ancient relief...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Fontana Arte 1950s Modernist Glass Pen Holder or Stand and Ashtray Desk Set
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern desk set featuring an adjustable pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy, circa ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Hand held mirror - Sweden - Swedish Grace - 1920-1930s Brass & Glass
Located in Stockholm, SE
A hand mirror in brass designed in Sweden but not marked, it is in a beautiful Swedish Grace style from the 1920-1930´s. It is 29 cm (11.6") long and in excellent condition except fr...
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vintage Chinese Calligraphy Set 7 Piece Set
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Chinese Calligraphy Set 7 Piece Set.
Vintage Chinese calligraphy set: Includes marble seal stamp, pen, ink box.
The hand carved Chinese Duan ink stone for use with the solid ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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.