Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Desk Calendar Frame or Picture Frame
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style desk calendar frame or picture frame By Tiffany Studios (signed to the back) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: ...
Bronze
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
19th C. Antique Writing Stand Desk Office Inkwell Center Piece Chinese Porcelain
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Antique writing stand desk Office Inkwell Center Piece Chinese Porcelain . This beautiful garniture on a desk a table or a console will a...
Bronze
English Victorian Brass Owl Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass owl inkwell on rectangular tray.
Brass
Antique Sévres Bleu Celeste Porcelain Jewelry Casket with Gold Ormolu Details
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Toronto, ON
A breathtaking example of French artistry, this Antique Sèvres Bleu Céleste Porcelain Jewelry Casket epitomizes opulence and refinement. Crafted in...
Ormolu
$636Sale Price|20% Off
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass & Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell France, circa 1870s A magnificent French Gothic Ormolu Cut Glass and Marble/Quartz Double Inkwell, dating back to the...
Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
Gucci Silver Plated Quail Penholder with Leather Base, Italy
By Gucci
Located in Den Haag, NL
Gucci vintage silver plated quail penholder mounted on a Black stitched leather base ,with a silver plate pen holder. Signed with Gucci and in very good vintage condition. comes wit...
Leather
Carl Auböck letter opener, polished brass, design circa 1950
Located in Wien, AT
Sculpturally shaped letter opener made of solid, polished brass. An iconic design from the renowned Carl Auböck workshop (Vienna) from the mid-20th century (ca. 1950).
Brass
Impressive Antique Coromandel Desk Stand
Located in Ipswich, GB
Impressive Antique Coromandel and mother of pearl desk stand dating back to the Victorian era. The stationary box opens to reveal a blue interior, infront stands two cut glass silver...
Mother-of-Pearl
1963 Rosewood Waste Basket by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen, Made in Norway
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Brazilian Rosewood Wastebasket, designed by Einar Barnes for P.S. Heggen in around 1963. This piece dates to around the same time. It features a facade and an interior that...
Wood, Rosewood
Mid-Century Fontana Arte Desk Set in Thick Nile Green Glass 50s Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Palermo, IT
Very elegant desk set in thick Nile green cut glass, steel, and metal, consisting of a pad, envelope holder, and paperweight. Made by Fontana Arte, Italy in the 1950s. Engraved "Fx" ...
Steel
Japanned or Chinoiserie Decorated Louis XV Style Lacquer Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
The lacquer ground with a strong burgundy undertone. Well carved , colored and other wise decorated . The porcelain well in good Antique condition . Minor wear due to age and use .
Lacquer
Black Forest Claw & Horn Desk Set and Candle Holders, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A Black Forest chamois horn and claw desk set with candle holders, 19th century. The desk set includes pounce pot and dish, quill holder and inkpot. Two ma...
Horn, Ebony
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
Art Glass Cattails Paperweight in Blown Glass by Mark Peiser
By Mark Peiser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mark Peiser Cattails paperweight, 1979 Blown glass and torch-worked imagery Measures: 4.75 x 4.875 x 4.875 inches.
Blown Glass
Vintage White Porcelain Ashtray by Hogermann, Germany, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pure white china ashtray. With a fresh, contemporary modern look with embossed arabesques design. Hotelporzellan, Hogermann. Made in Germany, cir...
Porcelain
Faux-Bamboo Brass Magazine Rack in the Style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice design faux-bamboo style magazine rack is made of brass. This is a French work In the style of Jacques Adnet.Ccirca 1970.
Brass
Vintage French Brown Leather Desk Set, Mid-20th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage French Brown Leather Desk Set Mid-20th Century A luxurious vintage French leather desk set, crafted in the mid-20th century and designed in the spirit of Jacques Adnet inspir...
Leather
18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Regency Era / Georgian Period tea caddy set in sumptuous plum-pudding mahogany. Exquisitely hand-crafted in England at the turn of the late 18th / early 19th century,...
Velvet, Cut Glass, Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
$645Sale Price|20% Off
Cellier Stitched Leather Pen Holder in the Style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice pen holder is made of cellier stitched leather and glass. This is a French work in the Style of Jacques Adnet. Circa 1950
Leather, Glass
1970s Christian Dior Paperweight of a Thimble
By Cristal Au Plomb, Christian Dior
Located in CA, CA
A 1970s paperweight by Christian Dior for French crystal glass manufacture, Crystal Au Plomb. The paperweight features a glossy perforated surface towards the top, imitating that of ...
Crystal
Enameled Crab Sculpture on Abalone Shell
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Enameled metal crab sculpture with secret compartment and rhinestones mounted on pink salmon polished abalone shell made in the style of Jay Strongwater or Tony Duquette. Only crab i...
Metal
Large Hand Painted Snakeskin Tray
Located in Troy, MI
This large platform-style tray is just under two feet wide and features subtly under-curving legs, genuine snakeskin leather that has been hand painted to accentuate the color and pa...
Leather, Wood
Montblanc Limited Edition 2009 Max Von Oppenheim 693/888
Vintage Pair Decorative 6ft Bronze Artillery Cannons 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an interesting vintage pair of French bronze cannons dating from the late 20th century. The cannons have highly decorative barrels and splendid openwork carriages. They ar...
Bronze
Antique Italian Green Marble and 'Lava Cameo' Inkstand
Located in London, GB
Antique Italian green marble and 'lava cameo' inkstand Italian, 19th century Measures: Height 10cm, diameter 14cm This charming inkstand is crafted from green marble and gilt metal....
Marble, Metal
English Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted on Mahogany Rope Base, Southampton. C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English Nautical brass yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope base with an oval glass viewing port, gimballed compass, central carrying ring, and the original brass vented side li...
Brass
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4206C Polished Brass Bowl
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4026A polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally con...
Brass
American Brass Miniature Carriage Clock with Beveled Glass, New York. C. 1850
By James Mix
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass miniature carriage clock with beveled glass, carrying handle , and signed enamel over copper face with dial. Clock consists of time, strike,...
Brass, Copper, Enamel
$160Sale Price / set|20% Off
Playing Cards Set in Box by Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool bright orange plastic case with pin stipes and two decks of playing cards by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. #1336.
Paper, Plastic
Botanical Lampwork "Blue Flower" Paperweight by Allan Scott for Caithness Glass
By Caithness Scotland, Whitefriars
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine upright botanical glass lampwork paperweight. By Caithness Glass / WhiteFriars. Entitled: "Blue Flower." Designed by Allan Scott. Depicting ...
Art Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style rocker blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H ...
Bronze
Antique Inkwell, Gilded Bronze, Antique Desk Utensil, Vase-Shaped, Pen Tray
Located in Greven, DE
Antique inkwell made from bronze, gilded. Very good condition of the bronze work.
Gold, Bronze
BMW Cafe Racer Motorcycle Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cool vintage table lighter in the shape of a BMW cafe racer motorcycle. Made completely of metal with a hollow body. Beautiful burnished silver color with intricate details. Cool tobacco accessory and conversation piece. Working lighter...
Metal
1970s Patinated Brass Ashtray Table Sculpture Mid-Century American Design
By Arnaldo Pomodoro, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Similar to the ubiquitous Art Deco black bakelite ashtrays designs prevalent in American Diners and Bowling Alleys of the early Twentieth Century. The bottom is rounded like a coco...
Brass
$465Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Calanda Typewriter Czechoslovakia 1950s Industrial Metal Design
Located in Praha, CZ
Original Calanda mechanical typewriter, produced in Czechoslovakia, most likely by Zbrojovka Brno / later Závody Jana Švermy, dating from the late 1940s to 1950s. This piece represe...
Metal, Chrome
Solid Russian Malachite Lion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Malachite lion - perfectly suited for a desk object / sculpture or paperweight. A perfect gift for anyone who loves organic, yet chic pieces.
Malachite
Antique George V Sterling Silver Chess Knight Desk Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English cast sterling silver desk paperweight in the form of a knight chess piece; an addition to our ornamental office silverwar...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Moroccan Embossed Leather Padfolio, Hand-Crafted, 1970s Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage leather Moroccan embossed leather padfolio. Red vintage leather portfolio embossed with gold 22 carat design. Handmade leather stamped with 22...
Leather
Mid-Century Italian Brass Flower Holder with Blued Steel Base, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and refined Mid-Century flower holder in brass and blued steel. This incredibly stylish and unique piece was designed in Italy during the 1950s. This elegant sculptural ob...
Brass, Steel
$476Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Orange Pear
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Murano glass pear with orange interior. The condition is very good.
Art Glass
Knotted Tissue Box Caramel Home Office Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tissue box Color: Caramel Size: 27.5 x 15.5 x 7.9 H cm Material: PU Collection: Knotted.
Faux Leather
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze "Zodiac" pattern desk letter holder rack By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century ...
Bronze
Chinese Persimmon Stone Calligraphy Brush
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist’...
Stone
20th Century Novelty Smokers Compendium Plane J A Henckels Germany Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
20th Century Novelty Smokers Compendium Plane J A Henckels Germany Circa 1930. A wonderful smokers compendium in the form of an aeroplane by maker J.A...
Silver Plate, Nickel
$362Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Drawing Set, German, Architect, Cartographer, Tools, Lotter, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage technical drawing set. A German, silver nickel set of architect or cartographer's tools by Lotter, dating to the mid 20th century, ...
Nickel
$3,417Sale Price|65% Off
Embossed silver inkwell with three ink tanks
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver inkwell with relief floral motifs with two tanks, bell, quill holder, candle holder and resting on four cut-out feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Li...
Silver
English Lectern or Book Stand of Brass
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English table top lectern, missal or book stand of brass, featuring a reading top with pierced quatrefoils at each corner. The revolving recta...
Metal, Brass
$105Sale Price|40% Off
Vintage 3.5" Cut Crystal Ball Suncatcher Prism
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The original 1970s cut crystal ball suncatcher paperweight exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. With its mesmerizing facets and sparkling clarity, it adds a touch of charm an...
Crystal
French Patinated Bronze Cherub Sculpture, Signed by Auguste Moreau
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous and large sized Louis XVI style patinated bronze sculpture of a cherub, signed by Auguste Moreau, titled "Amour Sifflant". This is a fabulous piece that has been crafted b...
Bronze
$396Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Sterling Silver Inkwell England 1905
Located in Stamford, CT
Handsome sterling silver antique inkwell has a lovely, simple design and was made by William Harrison Walter, circa 1905. It has a high polished profile, with a hinged lid and is wei...
Sterling Silver
1950s Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Organizer
By Paul McCobb, Winchester Furniture
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Paul McCobb Planner Group desk organizer by Winchendon Furniture. Made in the 1950s.
Iron
Swedish Art Deco Marble and Bronze Desk Set with Deer Figures, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exceptional and sculptural Swedish Art Deco desk set from the 1930s, crafted in richly veined red marble with elegant bronze accents. This refined ensemble exemplifies early 20th-...
Marble, Bronze
Apollo Studios New York Arts & Crafts Grapevine Pattern Bronze Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" pattern bronze and slag glass rocker blotter with verdigris green patina In the manner of Tiffany Studios By Apollo Stud...
Bronze
Chinese Bamboo Root Calligraphy Brush
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist’...
Goat Hair, Bamboo
$23Sale Price|64% Off
In Stock in Los Angeles, Grey Kong Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Kong mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Easily transportable, Kong MINI becomes a Stand hugging the mobile phone and a...
Plastic
Cartier Santos 18ct Gold Plated & Brushed Steel Ballpoint Pen in Original Box
Cartier Santos Brushed Steel & 18ct Gold Plated Stylo Bille Must II Comes With Original Paperwork & Red Cartier Presentation Box 2003, brought from Selfridges London Carti...
Gold Plate, Steel
Rare Vintage Franz Hagenauer Jockey Ice Cub or Sugar Tongs
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare early Art Deco sugar tongs, depicting a Dandy, or boy with jokey hat. Also useable for ice cubes. Made about 1930/40 in Vienna Austria. Designed by Fran...
Brass, Nickel
Vintage 1970s Parker Signature Pen on Brass Stand
By Parker, Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A refined expression of 1970s executive design, this vintage Parker Signature pen set pairs sleek modernist form with the enduring sophistication of solid brass. The elegant black an...
Brass
Capricorn Astrological Sign - Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Zodiac Paperweight
Located in Downingtown, PA
Desk Astrology: Piero Fornasetti's Gilded Capricornus Pebble Paperweight A stylish and highly collectible object, this vintage Piero Fornasetti ceramic "Pebble" paperweight features...
Ceramic
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Match Box Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze match box holder featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 2...
Bronze
Gucci Leather and Velvet Desk Set, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Gucci desk set made of Black leather and emerald green velvet. Five pieces include: 2 Stunning leather and brass bookends, a pen holder, steel ruler in black and a large de...
Brass
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.