Art Deco Brass Decorative Catchall with Propeller, c. 1930
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Art Deco Brass Decorative Catchall with Propeller on top circa 1930 Solid Brass
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Brass
Art Deco Brass Decorative Catchall with Propeller, c. 1930
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Art Deco Brass Decorative Catchall with Propeller on top circa 1930 Solid Brass
Brass
Hand-Crafted Malachite Box, Italian Artisan, Natural Gemstone, Fine Grade
Located in Somis, CA
An exceptional decorative box crafted from natural malachite, showcasing the stone’s remarkable color and highly distinctive figuring. The surface is alive with rich emerald, forest,...
Malachite
Antique Art Nouveau Inkwell, Signed Gaston Bigard, 1910s, France
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional beautiful inkwell by the french artist and sculptor Gaston Bigard. Signed at the lid "BIGARD". Ceramic with authentic craquele lacquer and a brass lid with beautiful Art ...
Brass
Lidded Service Terrine in Empire Style after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver engraved and silvered. Four columns with full moulded and finely engraved swans. Diameter:26cm, height: 28 cm.
Brass
Saint-Louis Bedside Water Carafe & Pair of Bottles
Located in Atlanta, GA
Saint-Louis Bedside Water Carafe comprising of a plate, carafe and glass, with finely chiseled ormolu fittings. Additionally, a pair of matching bottles with faceted crystal stoppers...
Crystal, Bronze
$329Sale Price / set|30% Off
Antique Edwardian Walnut Double Inkwell Handled Footed Writing Desktop Caddy
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century Edwardian Era Ink Stand. Made from walnut with a rectangular form and centrally located handle flanked by two crystal cut inkwells. The beautiful caddy is double s...
Crystal
Vintage Metal Cat Head Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exude an air of ancient mystery and modern sophistication with this striking vintage cast metal cat head bust. Influenced by the elegant aesthetics of Egyptian Revival and Art Deco d...
Metal
Gilt Bronze & Glass Tiffany Studios Inkwell ca. 1900
Located in Petaluma, CA
This very handsome gilt bronze and glass inkwell will make any desk look important. Signed, Tiffany Studios guarantees quality. The design is of the metalwork is striking and the g...
Bronze
Victorian Creswick & Co. Silver-Plated Inkwell Stand, Sheffield, c. 1850s
Located in Nottingham, GB
A handsome Victorian silver-plated inkwell stand by Creswick & Co. of Sheffield, dating to circa the 1850s. This substantial desk accessory combines practical writing function with t...
Silver Plate
Paper knife, lucite blade and silver knob with moss agate, Italy, 1960s.
Located in Milan, IT
The letter opener or paper knife was originally used to cut the pages of hand-printed books, where the folding of printed sheets created closed edges that required cutting the paper ...
Silver
HERMES PARIS 1935 Art-Deco Round Box And Trays Desk Set In .950 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
A five-pieces desk set designed by Hermès Paris. This is a very rare desk-set created in Paris France by the luxury house of Hermès, during the art-deco period back in 1930. The fan...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Adnet Style Leather Alarm Clock by Bayard
By Bayard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome French saddle leather desk clock by Bayard in the style of Jacques Adnet. Excellent vintage condition. Keeps time and has an alarm. Great patin...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and geometric pair of bookends are executed in patinated brass with ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Blue Spider Lamp by Unknown European Artist
Located in Palm Beach, FL
European spider table lamp, c. 1925. Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard pa...
Bronze
Collectible Baccarat Crystal Cameo Franklin Mint Paperweights Set of 5
By Baccarat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Collectible Vintage Franklin Mint Baccarat Crystal Cameo Paperweights - Set of 5. This exquisite Franklin Mint Baccarat Crystal Cameo Paperweights Set is a stunning addition to any c...
Art Glass
Murano Glass Teapot Shaped Paperweight Cobalt Pink Clear Controlled Bubbles
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful teapot shaped paperweight is made in sommerso technique; colored glass gather, dipped into pigments, is cased over with clear glass. Controlled bubbles are used to give the p...
Art Glass
$140Sale Price|20% Off
Small Crystal Whale Sculpture / Paperweight by Val St. Lambert for Danbury Mint
Located in San Diego, CA
Small crystal whale sculpture / paperweight by Val St. Lambert for Danbury Mint, circa 1990s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks ...
Crystal
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Cubist Rare 'Comet' Car Mascot by Becquerel, French, circa 1920-1925
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very Rare Hood Ornament - Car Mascot. Silvered bronze, mounted on Italian portoro marble display base, a beautifully presented example. Very nice Automobilia piece. Perfect paperweig...
Marble, Bronze
Art Nouveau Repoussé Mystic Inkwell by Alfred Daguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Alfred Louis Achille DAGUET (1875 - 1942) was a metalsmith active in Paris during the first part of the 20th century. His metalwork created prior to the outbreak of World War I, note...
Copper
Round Ink Stone with Qianlong Mark
Located in San Francisco, CA
Round Ink Stone with Qianlong Mark A round Chinese ink stone with a dark, textured exterior and smooth central basin for grinding ink. The rim is de...
Stone
Antique Persian Qajar Period Enameled Paper Mache Royal Pen Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from the early 19th century or Qajar period, this antique hand painted pen box is done in a series of bordered vignettes of Persian men and animals ...
Wood, Paper
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10.25"W x 3.25"D x 0.38"H...
Bronze
Sculpture of a Stylized Eagle Designed by Livio Seguso, Ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized eagle in smoke grey glass. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. Designed by Livio Seguso, ca. 1970. Base with incised signature of the artist (...
Art Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & crafts period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone pen tray By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 8.75"W x 2.63"D x ...
Bronze
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...
Bronze
Victorian Paperweight Hand like Odd Fellows Sign or Haunted House Addams Family
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful very old professional office relic with a cheeky message; Hands off! Private papers. Reminiscent of the odd fellows Victorian Era designs. Created from some kind of powdere...
Slate
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Charles X Gothic Revival Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Siena Marble Inkwell
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of rectangular shape, decorated with gothic cathedral arcades, with two wells and two pen holders, raised on a Siena marble base raised on scrolled feet. Between the twelfth and six...
Siena Marble, Bronze
$6,427Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Bronze Sculpture, Elegant Lady Playing Golf
Located in Berlin, DE
Pretty and decorative antique bronze sculpture. Elegant lady playing golf. Bronze on marble base. Very detailed quality.
Bronze
English Victorian Period 19th Century Brown Leather Case with Button Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique English Victorian period leather case and horseshoe button box from the 19th century, with eleven buttons. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, this leat...
Metal
Vintage 1950s Garage Autohaus Brazed Assembly Brass Nuts Paperweight Motor Oil
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful entrancing brazened assemblage of nuts and a bolt, with good weight, 2 inch square in size. Reminiscent of the work of Claus Oldenburg but in normal scale. W 2 x H 2 x ...
Brass
Art Nouveau gilt bronze letter opener, France, circa 1910 E. bernadaud
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Art Nouveau gilt bronze letter opener, France, circa 1910 – attributed to E. Bernaud Description: Elegant and refined letter opener from the Art Nouveau period, made in France aroun...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A highly rare and remarkably sophisticated French Charles X period luxury desk accessory, measuring 33 cm in height. Designed as an exceptional suspension inkwell (encrier), this pie...
Bronze, Ormolu
FRENCH 1930-35 Art Deco Display Desk Battery Cannon In Steel
Located in Miami, FL
A French art deco presentation desk cannon. This is a scale model of a French battery cannon made during the art deco period in France. The antique presen...
Bronze, Steel
Antique Majolica Novelty Boat Inkstand with Sailor Figure, Circa 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
A mid-19th-century majolica inkstand modeled as a small wooden boat, with a seated mariner at center and two inkwells at bow and stern. The hull and deck are molded to suggest planke...
Ceramic
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated...
Brass
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
Art Nouveau Silver-plated Metal And Glazed Ceramic Pen Tray – France, Circa 1900
Located in Bilzen, BE
Object description : "Art Nouveau Silver-plated Metal And Glazed Ceramic Pen Tray – France, Circa 1900" Antique French Art Nouveau Silver-Plated Pen Tray with Glazed Ceramic Inset (c...
Silver Plate
Art Nouveau Desk Set by Tiffany Calendar, Ink Dryer, Box and Clip
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Art Nouveau desk set by Tiffany calendar, ink dryer, box and clip Sizes: Measures: Perpetual calendar 16 x 16 cm Box 10 x 7 x 4 cm Clip 6 x 10 x 3...
Brass
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 Cartier Black Sunglasses, Resin Frame, Silver Logo, 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Cartier classic black sunglasses with silver CC logo. Classic, timeless, sophisticated piece to add to your wardrobe Authentic, vintage, rare, Cartier Paris France Black Ja...
Resin
Antique Victorian Marble Roman Ruins Grand Tour Statue Sculpture Columns Pillars
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable original Victorian Marble Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns A wonderful original piece, this is a desk sized co...
Marble
French Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Pen Tray
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau sterling silver rectangular pen holder tray with floral corners.
Jacques Adnet Art Deco Crystal Balls Table Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Jacques Adnet Art Deco crystal balls table lamp, France, 1930s. Stamped made in France. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vi...
Crystal, Bronze
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.
Faux Leather, Plastic
Equestrian Giant Paper Clip, 1960s France
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial paper clip with a detailed horse head handle in solid metal. Light patina to silver. Large scale with good weight to it. Only one available. Beautiful tabletop piece. We ...
Metal
Early 1900's French Nouveau Gilt Bronze & Onyx Figural Cameo Jewelry Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Jewelry Box with Green Onyx Base and Figural Cameo Mounted Lid. Item features beautiful art nouveau form, gilt bronze construction, figural cameo resti...
Onyx, Ormolu
$238Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Coffee Grinder, 1950’s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany Made of Wood, Metal,Steel The worm is no longer active Original condition.
Metal, Steel
$192Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-century Kfir Jet Fighter Prototype Desk Model Israeli Air Force
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century era Kfir Jet Fighter Prototype desk model, showcasing the sleek and powerful design of Israel's iconic multi-role combat aircraft. This detailed scale replica captures th...
Steel
$1,744Sale Price|20% Off
Inkwell attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
Located in Lugo, IT
Glass inkwell attributed to a design by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte Thank you
Glass
Art Déco English Square Shapped Cut Glass/Crystal Inkwell with Brass/Bronze Top
Located in North Miami, FL
Art Déco english square shapped cut crystal inkwell with brass/bronze spherical top By: unknown Material: brass, bronze, cut glass, glass, metal, crystal, copper, zinc Technique: ca...
Crystal, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Zinc
$1,950Sale Price|40% Off
Art Nouveau Tiffany Studios Bronze "Zodiac" Pattern Inkwell on Tray #1078
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Tiffany Studios number 1078 bronze Art Nouveau "Zodiac" pattern inkwell. This bronze inkwell is permanently mounted on a tray featuring 11 zodiac signs throughout the piece with Libr...
Bronze
Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Bust Woman Profile Guido Cacciapuoti 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Stylish Art Deco bronze bust of a woman in profile. Attributed to Guido Cacciapuoti. The bronze has a silver patina and stands on a green marble base. Italy 1930-1940. We have speci...
Marble, Bronze
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
Small Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nordic. The Danish-manufactured Twirling Birds...
Wood
Chinese Carved Bone 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’...
Bone
Tooled and Paint Embellished Versace Style Italian Leather Desk Organizer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Desk organizer highly decorated and colorful tooled leather. Cloth interior. Marked Made in Italy.
Leather
Studio Crafted Mechanical Pencil 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
Finely crafted studio wood mechanical pencil in rosewood and wenge. Beautiful construction with metal components. Includes a desk stand. 1970s
Rosewood, Wenge
$192Sale Price|20% Off
Desk Organizer with Perpetual Calendar by Fabio Manlio Ciocca for Guzzini, 1980s
By Guzzini
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Stylish desk organizer with perpetual calendar made of plexiglass, designed by Fabio Manlio Ciocca and produced by Guzzini in the 80s. This lovely vintage piece has a rigorous squar...
Plexiglass
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Wood
Desk Organizer by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bench-made solid teak desk organizer with dovetail joinery, comprising five correspondence dividers, a slim drawer and open storage.
Teak
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.