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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: 1970s
Period: 1910s
Brass jugendstil desk set with lion heads
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Brass jugendstil desk set with lion heads. inkwell 28,5x18,5x6cm clock 24,5x13x8cm match stand with ashtray 14x13x11,5cm
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Austrian Jugendstil Vienna Bronze Sculptural Paperweight by Carl Fiala, ca. 1910
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT This elegant Austrian Jugenstil sculptural desk paperweight depicts some fantastic half-human creature from the underwater world, riding a snail. Signed C. Fiala, dark-green co...
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Catalan Sunset, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a giant octopuses, on a glass bubble floating on controlled bubbles. Colors...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Faux leather Basket or Trash can, Circa 1970 Black and Grey color Made in Italy
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This basket, or trash can, has been made in Italy in the 1970's. The Faux leather as a Black and grey color . It is in good condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic, Faux Leather

Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Pen Holder by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon, 1970s. It is made in brown glazed ceramic. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be cons...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Restored Typewriter/ Remington Portable, USA, 1910s
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional. The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the ag...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rolex Vintage Table Top Display Mirror Burl Wood 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Rolex burl wood frame adjustable mirror store display. Collectors item from seventies with old logo writing Rolex. A highly collectible piece and a must have for any watch lover or h...
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rainbow Midcentury Teak Paper Tray
Located in Countryside, IL
Rainbow midcentury Teak Paper Tray This paper tray measures: 9.75 wide x 15.25 deep x 5.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what...
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

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

Robert Indiana Style Love Paperweight or Small Sculpture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A paperweight in polished metal after Robert Indiana. Likely purchased at MoMA. This piece would add great modernist character to any desk or office environment.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Pink Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Restored Typewriter/ Underwood, USA, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Pink Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Rabinet D'Enfert Paris 1970 Rare Desk Set Duo 24kt Gold Gilding & Silver-Plate
Located in Miami, FL
A desk set duo designed by Ravinet D'Enfert. Fabulous pieces, made in Paris France by the very exclusive luxury accessories house of Rabinet D'Enfert, back in the 1970's. The work...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Silver, Silver Plate

Gucci Vintage Black Leather Desk Set 1970s
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 ...
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Purple Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Fountain Pen Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold Nib Fire-Enamel Art Deco 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...
Category

1970s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Russian 1915 Moscow Nephrite Jade Desk Picture Frame Mounted in Gilded Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Nephrite jade and gilded silver desk frame. Beautiful neo classic desk picture frame, created in Moscow Russia, back in the 1915. Carefully crafted in the Russian imperial and Louis XVI style, with solid gilded silver, translucent nephrite green jade...
Category

1910s Russian Neoclassical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Jade, Silver

Gucci 1970 Milano Very Rare Vintage Horse Bit Trinket Tray in 24kt Gild Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare pieces designed by Gucci. An iconic trinket single dish-tray designed by the house of Gucci in Milan Italy, back in the 1970s. It is very heavy and was crafted in solid brass with a 24 kt gold gilding. Have the double G, for the Guccio Gucci logo, made in nickel. It is signed Gucci and have the original leather undersides mat. Signed over the tawny leather, in gold letters, "MADE IN ITALY BY GUCCI ". The measures fully extended are, 32 mm by 89 mm by 152 mm (1.25 x 3.5 x 6 Inches). Very elegant, rare and a great item for any serious collector. They are in gorgeous impeccable condition with no trace of use, no dents or bad marks. It is accompanied by the original Gucci green dust bag. Gucci, was founded in 1921 in the Tuscany region of Italy, in Florence , when Guccio Gucci bought his own shop on 7, Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence, Azienda Individuale Guccio Gucci, where he sold imported leather luggage. He also opened a small workshop to have his own leather goods made by local craftsmen. Eventually, a larger workshop had to be acquired to house Gucci's 60 artisans. In 1935 the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini led the League of Nations to impose a trade embargo on Italy. Leather became scarce, pushing Guccio Gucci to introduce other fabrics in the composition of the products, such as raffia, wicker, wood, linen and, jute. The rombi motif, a Gucci signature, was created. The Gucci's developed a new tanning technique to produce "cuoio grasso", which became a Gucci trademark. In 1937, Gucci launched its handbags. Under the direction of Aldo Gucci...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Brass

Cartier Paris 1970 Wallet Minaudiere in Iridescent Lizard 18k Gold & Sapphire
Located in Miami, FL
A wallet minaudiere designed by Cartier Paris. An exceptional, beautiful and extremely rare wallet minaudiere, created in Paris France by the luxury house of Cartier, back in the 1970. This incredible piece has been specially crafted for the exclusive Cartier department "S" of "Select de Cartier", in genuine iridescent lizard leather with accents made in 18 karats yellow gold and mount in a bezel with a round cabochon cut of a natural blue sapphire. Has a measurements of 101.6 mm by 146 mm (4 x 5.75 Inches) and the Size of Euro or Dollar currency banknotes perfectly fit inside. Stamped with the maker's cartouche, French hallmark and signed, "Cartier PARIS MADE IN FRANCE". History: On the 19th of June, 1920, the House of Cartier in Paris created a collection of accessories so special they resembled jewels in their precious materials and expert craftsmanship. This collection was known as "Cartier S...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold

Vintage 1970s Roger Bezombes Bronze Starfish Medallion Table Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Florentine Bronze medal from the Monnaie de Paris (cornucopia hallmark from 1880). Minted around 1971. This is a Starfish like form Paperweight by Fr...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

1919 René Lalique, Cachet Vase De Fleurs Glass With Grey Patina
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal "Vase de Fleurs" made in clear & frosted glass with grey patina by René Lalique in 1919. Engraved signature on the edge. Perfect condition Me...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Henrik Wigström Russia Imperial 1915 Red Enamel Picture Frame In Gilded Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Presentation picture frame from the imperial Russia. Beautiful neo classic picture desk frame, created in Moscow Russia, back in the 1910's. It was carefully crafted in the Russia...
Category

1910s Russian Neoclassical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Silver, Enamel

Noel BC Chrome and Brass Metal Desk Set and Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian designer Noel BC Italy designed this modernist desk accessory set in the 1970s. The set is built with a rectangular box and a contact book. The pieces boast a geometric shape with chrome and gilt brass design in silver and gold colors. The interior of the box is in black Lucite or acrylic. The contact book is in immaculate condition and has never been used. The best way to keep your contacts in a safe place is the old-fashioned way. The desktop set...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

French Ghiso Paris 1920 Art Deco Cards Case Box In Agate Diamonds And Platinum
Located in Miami, FL
Cards case designed by Ghiso Paris. Gorgeous piece, created in the art deco style in Paris France by the luxury makers and jewelry house of Ghiso, back in the 1920. It was carved ...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate, Multi-gemstone, Platinum

Trio of Midcentury Decorative Marble Desk or Shelf Objects
Located in London, GB
A set of three marble specimens. Belgium, circa 1970s. Formed in spheres. Two green specimens - 8.5 diameter, a slightly larger sphere at 10 diameter in cm. Price is for the ...
Category

1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Vintage Double Side Fish Aquarium Sculpture Paperweight, Murano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight or sculpture. Showing a fish. Colors are a different shades of blue, red, yellow and clear. A beautiful nice addit...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Antique Pair of American Made, Native Indian 'Ambush' Bookends by N. Partridge
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare pair of original, American made, Marked, Native American / Indian bookends. In the earliest years of the 1900s a lady artisan working out of New York created these now very r...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

1919 René Lalique, Seal Papillon Ailes Fermees Frosted Glass with Sepia Patina
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal "Papillon Ailes Fermees" made in frosted glass with sepia patina by René Lalique in 1919. Engraved signature. Perfect condition Measure : He...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Set of Three Sculptural "Jax"
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of three sculptural "jax" bookends, door stops, or paperweights, etc. In the style of Bill Curry for Design Line. circa 1970s. Measures: 1 - black larger : 7 1/2" x 7 1/2". ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Dice Aluminum Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A german vintage aluminum paperweight or sculpture featuring a dice balanced on one corner. Art Deco style, inspired by the 1930s designs of Edgar Brandt. A minimalist dice sculpture...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Fish Aquarium Made of Murano Glass
Located in Houston, TX
Murano glass aquarium with sticker still attached. In excellent condition.
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Pierre Disderot Paris 1980 Pair of Aerodynamic Desk Lamps in Nickel Chrome
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of desk lamps designed by Pierre Disderot. Beautiful aerodynamic modern pair of desk lamps, created in Paris France by the company of Pierre Disderot, back in the 1980. These...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Nickel, Stainless Steel, Chrome

French Art Nouveau Rene Lalique Perruches Glass Cachet, 1919
Located in Worcester Park, GB
An very rare and very early signed (R Lalique) original blue stained Rene Lalique 'Perruches' cachet -depicting a pair of parakeets, dating from 1919 (Marcilhac ref: 187). Cachets we...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

One Mid-Century Modern Faceted Glass Diamond Shaped Figurine Paperweight Desk
Located in Miami, FL
One Mid-Century Modern faceted glass diamond shaped magnifying paperweight, Figurine, Sculpture or Desk accessory. In good condition no chips, light scratches to the faceted glass.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Sergio Asti Black & White Veined Marble Bowl for Up & Up
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This black and white veined marble bowl was made by Atelier International for Up & Up and designer Sergio Asti. It is heavy and solid and makes for a great spot to store common housh...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble

Olivetti Divisumma 28 Mario Bellini Design Years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti divisumma 28 Mario Bellini design years '70, perfect working and very good condition.
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

Midcentury Typewriter/Consul, Type 222.2, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Metal, Steel, Plastic, Fabric The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age of use Re-polished The packaging o...
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Steel

French Art Nouveau Rene Lalique Butterfly Glass Cachet 1, 919
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A very early and exceptionally rare signed original blue stained Rene Lalique 'Papillon Ailes Ouverte' (Butterfly with wings open) cachet, dating from 1919. (Ref: Marcilhac 192) Cach...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

French Art Deco Rene Lalique Large Butterfly Glass Cachet 1919
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...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Set of Two Kosta Boda Crystal Paperweights Mushroom & Owl by Lindstrand, Warff
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Set of two hand blown clear crystal paperweights by Kosta Boda, Sweden. This set includes one mushroom paperweight designed by Goran Warff, and one owl paperweight designed by Vicke Lindstrand. Both are signed and numbered and the mushroom...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Restored Typewriter/ Triumph, Germany, 1915
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired, and fully functional The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the ag...
Category

1910s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Gucci Vintage Twisted Sail Money Clip Pin 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage gold plated money clip and pin in original box signed with Gucci and in very good vintage condition. Measures: 16,5 H x 8 W x 2 D cm Box 7,5 H x 2,5 W x 1,5 D cm....
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Presse papier coquillage nautile en inclusion époxy
Located in PONT-AUDEMER, FR
Coquillage Nautile en inclusion epoxy. Dans le style des créations de Pierre Giraudon. Bel état d'usage. Quelques marques minimes et particulier sur le dessous.
Category

1970s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Shell, Epoxy Resin

Mid-Century Squared Lucite and Chrome Pocket Emptier in Dior Style, France 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning midcentury Lucite and chrome squared valet tray or ashtray. This wonderful item was produced in France in the style of Christian Dior in 1970. The pocket emptier is lovely because of the beautiful straight lines and the chromed metal central part, making it look like a cube of ice with a floating rounded chromed plate in the middle. A wonderful example of design from the 1970s, both for the fusion of materials and colours. The chromed plate can be moved, changing the shape of the item. A gorgeous item that will enhance a midcentury-style living room, studio or entrance hall. Christian Dior was founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior. It currently designs and retails leather goods, fashion accessories, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, fragrance, makeup, and skincare products, while also maintaining its tradition as a creator of haute-couture under the Christian Dior Couture division. The Christian Dior label remains largely for women's offerings, although the company also operates the Dior Homme division for men and the baby Dior...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Restored Typewriter, Paillard, Switzerland, 1915
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age...
Category

1910s Swiss Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Frank Stella Abstract Artist Metropolitan Museum of Art Book, 1970, New York
Located in New York, NY
A hard-cover book with dust-jacket on abstract American artist Frank Stella, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1970, New York, NY. This book presents a decade of Sella's work from 1959 - 1...
Category

1970s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Rolex Grey Marble Bowl 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Marble bowl marked with golden letters by Rolex in excellent vintage condition made in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Vintage Blue Glass Ashtray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Glass blue ashtray is an elegant glass decorative object, realized during the 1970s. Very elegant glass ashtray round shape and brilliant blue colored. Good conditions.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Restored Typewriter/ Naumann Ideal San, Germany, 1915
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional. The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the ag...
Category

1910s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

1970s Tarnished Brass Post-Modern Desktop Tape Dispenser Disco Nightclub Era
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Good working order, warm tarnish brass, a natural time-worn patina. Loaded up with a roll of clear tape.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Italian Modern Alabaster Marble Sphere or Paperweight in Green and Black
Located in New York, NY
A small green, black and white alabaster marble decorative object sphere or paperweight, '70 Modern, circa 1970s, Italy. A great decorative object or paperweight for an office, desk,...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

Marco Zanuso & Richard Sapper for Brionvega TS 505 Cube Radio, 1976
Located in Naples, IT
The TS 505A is a unique portable transistor radio, designed by designers Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper in 1962 and launched two years later by the Milan-based company Brionvega. The TS 505 - also known as the 'Cube' - is a worldwide icon of industrial design, and is exhibited in the most important museums of contemporary art. It can also be found at the MoMa in New York. A cult object composed of two cubic plastic 'valves' that make it resemble a cuboid shell. The radio bears the Florentine silver...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Gucci Vintage Cross Hoofnail Envelope Opener, 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage letter opener in chrome and the typical Gucci colors green and red patterns signed with Gucci and in good vintage condition.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Set of Pozzi Ceramics by Pierre Cardin, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage set of Pozzi Ceramics is an original set of decorative objects realized by Pozzi Ceramiche in the 1970s. Set of black ceramics designed by Pierre Cardin for Pozzi Ceramiche (as reported on the label). The set consist of two black colored little ornaments...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Art Deco Inspired Horse Bust Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and unique addition to your desk. This beautiful horse bust rests on a marble base making it an understated elegant part of your décor. The base i...
Category

1970s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Italian Modern Dark Green Marble Obelisk Sculpture, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian '70s modern or Post-Modern period dark green marble obelisk sculpture, circa 1970s, Italy. Obelisk is green with white veining. Very go...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage 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.

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