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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Baroque
Modernist Wood and Chrome Desk Accessory Letter Holder, circa 1930
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco modernist desk accessory, or letter holder, was crafted in France, circa 1930. The sleek and massive geometric shape mail rack features an impressive concentri...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Tiffany Studios New York "Adam" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring Adam style or Neoclassical style swags, with a custom green leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter e...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Jacques Adnet Art Deco Chrome Double Inkwell, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
French designer Jacques Adnet (1901 - 1984) designed this elegant Art Deco modernist chromed metal heavy desk accessory. The piece features a minimalist geometric shape double inkwel...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Chrome

1930s Super Ercole by Ercole Marelli Italy Electric Fan 404
Located in Biella, IT
Super Ercole by Ercole Marelli Italy design years '50 electric fan 0-404 big size Measure; high 21,4 inches and is in good vintage condition working to 150-160 volt colour is...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell or Pen Stand with Owl Figure, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Art Deco style hand-carved wooden inkwell or pen stand with a majestic owl figure with glass eyes. The stand features a tray for pens and accessories at the front. The head...
Category

1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Eastman Kodak Vest Pocket Model B 127 Film Folding Camera With Original Box 1925
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Eastman Kodak Vest Pocket Model B 127 Film Folding Camera With Original Branded Cardboard Box & Paper Booklet Ref: 27323 Around 1925, a successor to the Vest Pocket Kodak was rele...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Bohemian Moser Art Deco Oroplastic Honey Amber Glass Vase, 1920
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Stunning large Art Deco signed Moser honey amber Oroplastic vase with window cut circles to the top and to the main body. The oroplastic design features battling Amazons with shields...
Category

1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

French Art Nouveau Rene Lalique Faune Glass Dish, 1931
Located in Worcester Park, GB
An very rare signed (R Lalique) Rene Lalique 'Faune' pintray -depicting a dancing or running goat legged child beast, dating from 1931 (Marcilhac ref: 316). Such pin trays were desig...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Erik Nielsen, Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Lobster and Shoal Card Vide Poche #485
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Erik Nielsen for Royal Copenhagen underglazed porcelain card tray dish with lobster and shoal. A superb example of Nielsen's creativity circa 1962 Sig...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Art deco Rare Bronze & Copper Letter & Pen Desk top Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare & classic design on this patinated and bronze skyscraper style, art Deco letter & pen desk top holder great design .
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Copper

Bookends Pair of Alabaster or Marble Dice-Shaped Spain 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
alabaster or marble dice-shaped bookends I am not a player but for some reason when I see a dice or a card from the deck I associate it with something p...
Category

20th Century Spanish Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Alabaster

Art Deco American Sterling Silver & Pink Guilloche Enamel Letter Holder
Located in Bath, GB
A rare piece of American Art Deco silver, a small desk-top letter rack made from solid sterling silver by the Thomae Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts made in the 1930's. The quality is evident, a lovely screwed construction, which can be seen from the underside, and a good heavy weight, 9.52 Troy Ounces / 296.1 Grams. The underside is fully marked "Sterling" and the maker's mark for the Thomae Company. The front is decorated with a stunning pink guilloche enamel...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage 1930s Remington Typewriter in Original Case
Located in Torquay, GB
Exceptional vintage typewriter by Remington Inc. USA. circa 1930s. Offered in original leather storage case and in fine working condition. The typewriter has a skeletal frame and can...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Pair Of Scalloped, Applied Silver Pin Trays, Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Delightful pair of scalloped edged stoneware pin trays by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden. Applied silver scalloped rim and trefoil flower sprigs decoration on signature Argent...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Art Deco Dewoitine Wooden Counters Desk Model Airplane 1930s French
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Dewoitine Wooden Counters Desk Model Airplane 1930s French. The Dewoitine was a Art Deco 1930s French eight-passenger airliner built by Dewoitine. The Airplane was an all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane. The pilot and co-pilot were seated side by side in a cabin located forward of the wing leading edge. A radio operator station was located behind the pilots, and it had a passenger cabin for eight passengers. The landing gear had trouser-type fairings on the main gear legs. The aircraft first flew on 11 July 1933 powered by three Hispano-Suiza 9V radial engines...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Perfectly Ordinary Lustre Octagonal Scarab Bowl Daisy Makeig-Jones Wedgwood 1920
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely delightful and delicate Daisy Makeig-Jones for Wedgwood, octagonal bone china lustre bowl. The interior is decorated with mother-of-pearl colou...
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Dutch Delft Tile with Pikier, 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Amsterdam Circa 1625 – 1650 A blue and white Dutch tile with a decoration of a Dutch or Spanish soldier from the period of the 80 Years War. The decoration of this t...
Category

1620s Dutch Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Set of 4 Pedestal Boxes in Shagreen, Shell and Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 4 pedestal boxes are the perfect home accents to add elegance and functionality to your space. These can be used as a vanity set for your bathroom, in your office to store desk...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Parisian Ink Tray, French, Pewter Brass, Desktop Inkwell, Art Deco, 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Parisian ink tray. A French, pewter brass desktop inkwell in Art Deco taste, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Alluring tonality and form, to this fin...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Art Deco Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Large Late 17th Century Baroque Iron Door Lock
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large French baroque wrought iron door lock on acrylic stand.
Category

Late 17th Century French Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wrought Iron

Blue and White Dutch Delft Tile with Bird, Mid 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1630 - 1660 A fine painted blue and white tile with a decoration of a bird on a piece of fruit. With so-called oxheads as corner decoration. A genuine c...
Category

Mid-17th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Faience

Lily of the Valley & Columbine, Stoneware Vase Wilhelm Kage, Argenta Gustavsberg
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Adorned with stylised applied silver Lily of the Valley and Columbine flowers, this elegant footed vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden is a super piece from the Argenta coll...
Category

1950s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Jacques Cartier Elephant, Art Deco / Cubist Car Mascot / Hood Ornament 1920´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Jacques Cartier Elephant, Art Deco / Cubist Car Mascot / Hood Ornament 1920´s Elephant, cubist car mascot / Hood Ornament, Paperweight / Sculpture. Silvered Bronze, signed on the emb...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Emerald Green Dyed Equine Shagreen Letter Opener of Page Turner
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco letter opener or page turner in emerald green stained equine shagreen over wood. Equine shagreen is a finely grained leather made from the hide of a donkey, mule, horse or o...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Shagreen, Wood

Art Deco Silvered Desk Set, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Shovel and broom The shovel is: H: 1cm W: 20cm D: 21cm The Broom is: H: 4cm W: 5cm D: 28 Original condition.
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Letter Holder Rack & Pen Stand Verdigris Patinated Bronze Bauhaus Era
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite Art Deco and Bauhaus-style set features a letter holder and a pencil holder, both meticulously crafted from verdigris patinated bronze or brass. The letter holder boa...
Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

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

French Marble and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French marble inkwell with bronze details and two ink wells. The piece is designed with a decorative handle which makes it very easy to move from desk... The ink wells both conta...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Bronze Mortar with Pestle, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mortar with hand. Bronze. XVII century. Mortar with a circular base, cylindrical body and slightly outwardly flared mouth, decorated with a series of smooth horizontal moldings arranged both in the lower and upper areas and with simple vertical elements (which still maintain slight balustraded shapes) derived from of the ribs that these specimens used to have in the medieval Spanish...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Other

Blue and White Dutch Delft Tile: Stil life with vase and fruit, 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Circa 1700 A fine blue and white Dutch tile with a still life painting of a vase with leaves and grapes and an apple on the sides. The scene is painted without corn...
Category

1690s Dutch Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Rare Brass, Metal & Wood Art Deco Mushroom Hat Table or Desk Lamp Sign M. Sabino
Located in Lisse, NL
100% Unrestored and original condition, mushroom design table lamp. This very unusual and modernistic work of lighting art comes with the maker's mark M. Sabino in the base and it is another one of our latest great 'finds'. Similar work is mentioned in Janneau "Le lumiere francaise" and since it has the entire natural wear showing its long history of usage, we decided to leave it exactly as is. Both the metal shade and the wooden base have been 'marble painted' and the wear has made this rare light extra special too look at. Over the many decades this timeless, layered mushroom design table lamp has also developed an incredibly rich patina. This hand-crafted and documented table...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Nickel, Brass, Metal

Cartier Christmas Tree Design Card and Envelope Set Luxury Season's Greetings
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Christmas Tree Design. Cartier Season's Greetings Christmas Tree Stationary Cards. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

1930s Art Deco Portoro Marble Italian Inkwell and Signature Pad
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Very precious Italian inkwell and signature pad with original paper. It's made with very rare portoro marble, particular for its black with brown and gold veins. Price is for the com...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

French Art Deco Malachite Pen Holder
Located in Clearwater, FL
A real statement piece! An Art Deco malachite with brass three pen holder. France, circa 1930s.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Parker 75 Vermeil Sterling Silver GT Fountain With 14k Yellow Gold Nib
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Parker 75 Vermeil Sterling Silver GT Fountain With 14k Yellow Gold Nib. Supplied With An Original Parker Blue Leather, Blue Velvet Lined Presentation Box Circa 1964-1969 Made in U...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Gold

Count Owned Asprey 24ct Gold Green Crocodile Leather 7 Piece Desk Set
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this one of a kind, custom made to order by a Polish Count, complete Asprey Green Crocodile leather with 24ct gold inlaid crown, desk suite...
Category

20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Art Deco PAIR of Period Photo Frames Handmade in Oak with Fan Sides, circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful PAIR of photo frames from the Art Deco period, handmade from oak having a fan design and with glass inserts, which we date to circa ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Oak

Tiffany & Co. Studios New York Bronze and Abalone Desk Set
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning set of solid brass Tiffany & Co desk ink well notepad case and 4 corners for desk pad all in amazing condition came from a high end estate in P...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Asprey Art Deco Sterling Silver & Shagreen Magnifying Glass
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent magnifying glass by the creme de la creme of English retailer's, Asprey of Bond Street, London. The silver is fully hallmarked for London 1928 together with the maker's mark W.M. The silver is also signed "Asprey London". Excellent antique condition with minor wear commensurate with age measuring 7 3/4" x 3 5/8" x 5/8". A slight wobble to the magnifier due to the traditional pinned construction rather than glued, mentioned purely for accuracy. The handle is made from polished Shagreen, a leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a Stingray. This type of Shagreen was first made popular by Jean-Claude Galluchat (d1774) a master leather worker in the Court of Louis XV in France. It became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy and later throughout Europe. Shagreen is derived from the French word “Chagrin”. Asprey is a British retailer of jewellery, leather, silver and other luxury goods. Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands and has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and important actors on the world stage. For over two centuries, Asprey has been regarded as a top British luxury lifestyle brand and the Bruton Street Flagship Store is considered a must see London destination. Asprey’s broad product assortment includes jewellery, leather goods, accessories, silver, watches, clocks, first edition...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Deco Style Modernist Silver Female Figure Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular and very unique letter opener. Silver plate or Pewter, however it's the design that makes the piece so great. A compliment to any desk, or work station, in a residence ...
Category

20th Century Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum, Silver

1920 René Lalique - Seal Stamp Victoire Frosted Glass With Blue Patina
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Stamp Seal "Victoire" made in frosted glass with blue patinat by René Lalique in 1920. Molded and engraved signature Perfect condition. height: 4.5 cm Félix Marcilhac, René Laliqu...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Just Andersen Denmark, Art Deco Ribbed Pewter Fluted Cache Pot #2352
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A petite Just Andersen pewter cache pot with fluted rim Perfect as a desk accessory or purely ornamental Stamped and numbered 2352 on base Height 2.5 inch, Diameter 2.75 inch In ver...
Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Ronson 1936 Art Deco Tourette Geometric Bronze Table Touch Iip Lighter
Located in Miami, FL
A bronze Tourette desk lighter designed by Ronson. Very rare desk table Touch-Tip lighter, created in Newark New Jersey by Ronson, at The Art Metal Works Co. during the art deco per...
Category

1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Danish Crown Letter Opener in Sterling Silver, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish paper knife with elongated sterling silver handle set with the Danish Royal Crown hence its name Danish Crown or Dansk Krone in Danish. Fully Hall-marked. Measurements: ...
Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Steel

Blue and White Dutch Delft Tile with Pikier, Mid 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands Amsterdam Circa 1625 – 1650 A blue and white Dutch tile with a decoration of a Dutch soldier from the period of the 80 Years War. This soldier could be a member of t...
Category

1620s Dutch Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Majolica

Large Art Deco Green Onyx Cigar Ashtray with Nude Bronze Lady Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Art Deco Green Onyx Cigar Ashtray with Nude Bronze Lady Sculpture. Signed "Made In Austria".
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Italian Pietre Dure Panel of Parrot on Branch, Late 17th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The Pietre Dure panel inset with lapis lazuli, marmo giallo, in a rectangular shape, probably a panel from a cabinet.
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Cartier Luxury Christmas Tree Set of 10 Stationery Cards Set Season's Greetings
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of 10 Cartier Cards and Envelopes with the Iconic Cartier Christmas Tree Design. Cartier Season's Greetings Christmas Tree Stationary Cards. Auth...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Rocker Blotter and Blotter Ends
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau bronze desk set. The three-piece set includes: rocker ink blotter and ink blotter ends featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Medida :1920, Car Sculpture in wood Sign: Argentor wien
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Material: Wood and silver plated bronze We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Argentor wien...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Vintage Eastman Kodak Kodascope Model K-75 Art Deco Movie Projector in Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Eastman Kodak Kodascope Model K-75 Art Deco Movie Projector in Case. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: Case: 14" H x 13.5" W x 8.5" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, baroque revival
Located in VALENZA, IT
Faithful copy of the writing service by the silversmith Pietro Rubini, Milan c.1775 The inkstand is composed of a shaped tray supported by 4 rocailles feet, modeled along the entire profile by finely embossed and chiselled volutes, leaves and shells. Above the tray are two ink holders and two pen holders with spiral workmanship and highly embossed vegetable decorations. A bell in the center of the object rests on a FASTIGIO pierced with flowering vines. By Fiorentini, Argenterie di Milano - Italy for ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA Italian silverware...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fine Wedgwood Ordinary Lustre Exotic Gilded Birds Baluster Vase #Z5986
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Fine quality Wedgwood porcelain baluster vase created by Daisy Makeig-Jones. Rich and vibrant colours and gilding excel on this piece of highly collectible lustre Wedgwood...
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Large Signed Oval Marble Ashtray or Centerpiece With Two-Bronze Eagles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large signed oval marble ashtray or centerpiece with two-bronze eagles Signed "Jos Pallenberg" on the base of the eagle, Joseph Franz Pallenberg (Germany 1882-1946).    
Category

Early 19th Century German Art Deco Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern desk letter holder rack By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Cent...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Brass Birdseye Maple Marquetry Desk Letter Holder.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Art Deco French Brass Birdseye Maple Marquetry Desk Letter Holder. Art Deco, circa 1950s wood inlaid desk letter holder in the style of Jean-Michel Frank; he was an inspired designe...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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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