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Desk Accessories For Sale
Lladró Face 2 Face - Hummingbird Figurine
Located in New York City, NY
Handmade porcelain creation inspired by a Hummingbird, belonging to Face 2 Face collection. Hummingbird belongs to Face 2 Face collection featuring three birds that combine synthetiz...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Gentleman's Gilt Bronze Liquor and Cigar Set Art Nouveau Period C. 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite antique liquor and humidor set combines delicate craftsmanship and functional elegance. Each piece is crafted from clear glass encased in gilded bronze filigree, showc...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

French Ormolu Monkey Motif Green Crystal Controlled Bubble Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Ormolu monkey motif green crystal controlled bubble paperweight. France, Circa 1900s. An extraordinary work, with fine cast ormo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Murano Style Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Green and Yellow 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Murano Style Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Green and Yellow 1980s. Beautiful vintage Murano style hand made yellow with green spots Italian art glass mushroom toad...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Vintage Gucci Chrome, Logo Canvas, Resin Note Pad Holder and Desk Accessory 70's
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful vintage Italian signed Gucci note pad holder has wood backing with flip topnote holder and the iconic logo fabric Gucci symbols as the f...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Neoclassical-Style Continental Silver '.800' Footed Double Inkstand by Dragstead
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical - style, Continental Silver (.800), footed, double inkstand, Denmark, year-hallmarked for 1901, A. N. Dragsted - maker. Each of the wells is decorated with bows and garl...
Category

Early 1900s Danish Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Carl Auböck Model #4751 'Paperclip' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4751 'Paperclip' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Eugène Feuillâtre "Pavot" Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
This stunning enamel, silvered metal, and gilt metal "Pavot" inkwell by Eugène Feuillâtre features peacock feather embellishments. The Inkwell lies under the gilded and silvered metal poppy seed pod lid, to which the title pavot (translated to English as poppy) refers. The vessel is vaguely pumpkin-shaped with negative space in a honeydew green, with white peacock feathers featuring purple and turquoise details. Product Details: Item #: S-21164 Artist: Eugène Feuillâtre Country: France Circa: 1900 Dimensions: 2.25" height, 3.5" diameter Materials: Enamel, Silvered Metal, Gilt Metal Signed: impressed Feuillâtre Exhibition History: Examples of this inkwell can be found in the permanent collections of Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva (inv. no. E 01500), Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (inv. no. 8746), and Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg (inv. no. 1966.1). Salon des Artistes français, 1898. Literature: L. Bénédite, et. al., "Exposition Universelle de 1900: Les Beaux-Arts et les Arts Decoratifs," Gazette des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1900, p. 510 (for a related example). H. Frantz, "E. Feuillatre, Emailleur," L’Art Décoratif, no. 28, Paris, January 1901, p. 166 (for a related example). C. Saunier, "Céramique, Verrerie, Émail," L’Art Décoratif, no. 34, Paris, July 1901, p. 155 (for a related example). R. Marx, La Décoration et les Industries d'Art à l'Exposition Universelle de 1900, Paris, 1901, p. 95 (for a related example). M. P. Verneuil, "L'Émail et les Émailleures," Art et Décoration, no. 2, Paris, February 1904, pp. 37-39 (for a related example). M. Rheims, L'Objet 1900, Paris, 1964, p. 34, no. 18 (for a related example). P. Garner, ed., The Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts 1890-1940, New York, 1978, p. 95 (for a related example). Die Jugendstil - Sammlung: Band 1: Künstler A-F, exh. cat., Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1979, pp. 465-466, cat. no. 655. A. Duncan, The Paris Salons 1895-1914, Volume V: Objets d'Art & Metalware, Suffolk, 1994, p. 252 (for related examples). G. de Bartha, L'Art 1900: La Collection Neumann, New York, 1994, p. 128 (for a related example). J. T. Busch and C. L. Futter, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851-1939, exh. cat., Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, 2012, p. 196, no. 9 (for a related example). Macklowe Gallery Curator's Notes: Eugène Feuillâtre’s career began in René Lalique’s enamelling...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Grand Tour Victorian Classical Marble & Bronze Three Piece Desk Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful 19th Century Classical Marble & Bronze Mounted Three Piece Grand Tour Desk Set Three piece set includes a letter rack, an ink blotter, & an exquisite pen tray with a cen...
Category

19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bing & Grøndahl, Stoneware Figurines, Bacchus and Boy with Grapes by Kai Nielsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bacchus and a boy with grapes by Kai Nielsen (1882–1924). From Bing and Gröndahl. Signed on the base. Boy: Number 21. (1912) 11 x 10 cm. And A 51. (t27...
Category

1920s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Porcelain Inkwell France Early 1900s Embossed Gold Accents Hand-Painted
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique French Porcelain Inkwell with Embossed Detailing and Gold Accents - Early 20th Century. Step back in time with this exquisite...
Category

Early 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Desk Bell
Located in VALENZA, IT
Desk bell in sterling silver. The bell is smooth with beaded decorations both on the body and on the knob. The body is perforated to make the bell sound (br...
Category

1990s Italian Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Brass

Paperweights Italian Surrealist with Eyes in Acrylic
Located in London, GB
Surrealist paperweight sculptures have eyes screen printed on sharp cut acrylic shapes. The eyes reflect on the different angles and depending on your position they are visible or va...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Acrylic

Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Brush
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Art Deco period gilt bronze inlaid abalone pen brush or pen wipe By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 2.25"W x 2.25"D x 2.25"H....
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Merle Edelman Op Art Face / Head with Eyes Inside Lucite / Acrylic 1970s
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern c. 1970's Merle Edelman half round Op Art face lucite sculpture with 3D eyes over a black geometric grid. Similar style as Abraham Palatnik. In fine condition, no ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Bronze Vase and Pocket Emptier, Italy, 1980
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish, classy and rare bronze pocket emptier designed by Esa Fedrigolli and made in Italy in the 1980s. This beautiful piece comes in it's original gi...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Cartier Vintage Black Sunglasses with Box, 1990 Silver Logo
Located in North Hollywood, 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...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Antique Tiffany Studios Zodiac 6-Piece Bronze Doré Desk Set
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This lovely 6-piece bronze doré desk set was made by Tiffany Studios of New York. The early 20th-century set has a warm golden finish with its original patina and has been made in Tiffany's popular Zodiac motif featuring stylized depictions of the 12 signs of the Zodiac set in ovoid cartouches. The Zodiac signs are set amongst intricate Celtic-style knots. The desk set is comprised of a 2-row letter rack, a pair of desk blotter ends, a pen tray, a letter opener, and a large inkwell fitted with a hinged lid. The inkwell comes complete with its original clear glass ink reservoir. This particular selection of pieces is quite practical and represents an ideal manner in which to start a collection of Tiffany Zodiac desk set...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Rare German Art Deco Desk Set, 1940's, Set of 4
Located in Lisboa, PT
This rare desk set was designed and produced in Germany, during the 1940's. It consists on a knives holder, with three knives, a letter holder, an ashtra...
Category

1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Ico Parisi "Profile of a woman" document holder, Italy, 1970s
Located in Padova, IT
Ico Parisi "Profilo di donna," Woman's profile, document holder, Italy, 1970s. Plexiglass. Cm 34.50 x 36.00 x 15.00. 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plexiglass

Murano Sommerso Glass Horse Head Bust Signed Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This Italian Murano Sommerso glass horse head is signed Bortaro. It is lovely and in then colors of black, gray and clear. The mane of hair in hand b...
Category

1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Sculptural Jack / Jax Bookend / Paperweight in the Style of Bill Curry
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice sculptural jack / jax bookend, door stop or paperweight the style of Bill Curry for Design Line, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and mea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Tiffany Studios New York Greek Key Bronze Doré Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze doré inkwell featuring Greek key designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3.5"W x 3.5"D x 2.25"H....
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

English Officers Equestrian Silverplate, Enamel & Hoof Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Officers Equestrian silver plate, enamel and hoof inkwell, an exquisite example with a portrait of the beloved horse, expertly mounted, possibly b...
Category

1890s English High Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern pen tray By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measure...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Art Deco Zodiac Pen Brush
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze pen brush or pen wipe featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Ce...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Rene Lalique Moineau Sur Socle Ailes Fermees' Paperweight
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Rene Lalique clear & frosted glass 'Moineau Sur Socle Ailes Fermees' Paperweight. Features a sparrow (wings closed), perched on a pedestal. Engraved makers mark to the underside, 'R....
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Gentlemans Gardner Kates Solid Leather Desk Dresser Box Humidor
By Gardner Kates
Located in Ferndale, MI
Very nicely made stacked and laminated solid saddle leather forming a cylinder box with solid leather lid and finial handle.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

19th Century Antique French Inkwell in Gilded Brass and Porcelain
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful Antique 19th century painted and gilded brass inkwell. Floral motif with pink rose on handle. 'Made in France' on underside.  
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique English Cast Sterling Silver Tank Ornament / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English cast sterling silver tank ornament/paperweight; part of our military related silverware collection. This exceptional ant...
Category

1910s English Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver

19th Century French Bronze Green Opaline Glass Inkwell Set
Located in Guaynabo, PR
French Bronze Green Opaline Double Inkwells Set. It depicts a Japonisme style bronze tray with a pair of green opaline inkwell bottles mounted in round...
Category

19th Century French Japonisme Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Rare Signed Petite Pencil Rack by Philippe Barbier, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Minimalist chrome pencil organizer excellent vintage condition signed on bottom.        
Category

1970s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Vista Alegre Porcelain Desk Inkwell
Located in Miami, FL
A Vista Alegre Porcelain figurative inkwell. Meticulous detail in the casting and hand painted decoration. Retain all the pieces intact. Circa late 1940s.
Category

1940s Portuguese Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car
Located in New York, NY
Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car. Highly detailed large glass depiction of a classic car with frosted tires and engine. Designed by Xavier F...
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Salt and Pepper Shaker Holder Chinese Figurine by Richard Rohac
Located in Wien, AT
Salt and pepper shaker holder Chinese figurine by Richard Rohac. Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Style French Inkwell Made of Wood, Brass and Crystal
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Orig...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Contemporary 'Eye Night' Sculpture Engraved Glass, Chromed Brass by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Colletion of decorative objects by Ghirò Studio (Italy,Milan). The 'Eye' is not only a luxury refined piece of furniture but it is also a hand carved sculpture designed to embe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Barbini Murano White Gold Flecks Pink Italian Art Glass Bird Figure Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white, pink and gold flecks Italian art glass bird on base figurine, paperweight. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950-60s. The bird...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Leaf

'Lover's Knot' Double Picture Frame, Polished Brass in The Style of J.H. France
Located in Verviers, BE
Original Victorian period double photograph frame (or miniature frame) with classical Victorian 'Lover's Knot' design. Typical frame for wedding photographs. Made of solid cast brass...
Category

Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Pad
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" bronze blotter ends with a custom brown leather desk pad By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Each blotter end m...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Exquisite Rococo Gilt-Bronze Malachite Encrier Inkwell Desk Set ca. 1880
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROCOCO ORMOLU-MOUNTED MALACHITE VENEERED ENCRIER Circa 1880 unmarked of exceedingly fine quality Item # 404XKP19B An exceedingly fine malachite veneered encrier (inkwell), it feat...
Category

19th Century Rococo Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

Arthur & Bond Sterling Silver Inkwell with Repousse & Chased Water Lilies
By Arthur Bond
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell was made by the well known English owned Arthur & Bond of Japan in approximately 1900 in a period Anglo-Japanese style. The cube shaped bottle of the inkwell is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Omas Limited Edition Europa Fountain Pen in Original Box
Located in New York, NY
Rare Omas, Europa, numbered 3133 out of a limited edition of 3500, fountain pen with a two-tone 18 karat gold nib, in its original display box. On March 20,1992, Omas officially pre...
Category

1990s European Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Black Leather & Stainless Steel Mail Rack - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant mail or letters container made of black "piqué sellier" stitched leather and stainless steel links. In the style of Jacques Adnet. Minor structural damages as can be seen on ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Delco Art Deco 1941 Vintage Bakelite R 1171 Tube Radio in Perfect Condition
Located in Miami, FL
An Art Deco tube radio designed by Delco. Here we are offering an absolutely stunning 1941 Delco model R-1171 tabletop tube radio. Featuring a gorgeous dark...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bakelite

English Brass and Mahogany Yacht Binnacle Southampton, Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope motif base, oval glass viewing port, with the original removable brass vented side light and carrying handle. Binnacle is fitted with an interior compass submerged in alcohol signed...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Crystal Pink Ashtray for Val Saint Lambert, Paper Weight Signed
By Guido Bon, Val Saint Lambert
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Free-blown pink and clear crystal ashtray by Val Saint Lambert. Could be used as a vide poche or decorative desk accessories. Hand blown beautif...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

1960's New Old Stock Vintage Stationery Set
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1960's New Old Stock Vintage Stationery Set. We recently came across a large hoard of new old stock hardware and general merchandise items, l...
Category

1960s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Tiffany Studios Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter corners featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom black leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed to...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Modernist Crystal Art Glass World Ball Healing Sphere
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modernist Crystal World Ball Healing Sphere Art Glass 4 diameter Preowned vintage condition See all images.
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Murano Blue White Opalescent Italian Art Glass Fish Figure Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent cobalt blue and white opalescent Italian art glass fish sculpture / paperweight. Created in the manner of designer Archimede Seguso, in the "Alabastro" technique. The main body is almost a ball, with large applied opal white fins...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Vintage Plastic Pen Holder, 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Plastic Pen Holder realized by Alessandro Zuliani for La Friulana. Very good condition.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Edwardian 1905 Desk Matches Box in Bronze and Crocodile Leather
Located in Miami, FL
Edwardian desk matches box with crocodile leather. Beautiful and very unusual box, created in England during the Edwardian period, back in the 1905. This is a very decorative matc...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Iridescent Art Glass Paperweights by Stuart Abelman
Located in San Diego, CA
Spectacular pair of iridescent art glass paperweights by Stuart Abelman, circa 1995. The pieces are in very good vintage condition w...
Category

Late 20th Century American Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Signed 3 Italian Vintage Gold Amber Red Murano Glass Christmas Tree Sculptures
Located in New York, NY
A stunning mid-20th century Italian decorative set of three vintage Venetian Murano glass trees, featuring an organic, sleek, and modern design. This unique collection includes: One ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Organic Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Victorian Inkwell with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in NYC, NY
Fine mid-19th century inkwell with inlaid mother-of-pearl decoration surrounding pen trays, a lidded compartment and two crystal inkwells. The whole raised atop four flattened bun feet.
Category

19th Century English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Meissen Porcelain Blue Onion Pattern Shoe or Slipper Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A good, vintage Meissen Blue Onion (or Zwiebelmuster) pattern figural paperweight. The paperweight is an iconic Meissen form in the shape of a tradi...
Category

Early 20th Century German Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Gucci Maple Wood Tidy Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Gucci maple wood desk accessory or tidy tray, original, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Helmet Paperweight Mounted on a Piece of Marble Paris France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris France, this is a wonderful paperweight. A Helmut mounted on a piece of marble - a compliment to any desk or work station. The helmet is metal and the sides move a bit, as they are supposed to. A great curiosity, wonderful for a housewarming or fathers day gift.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal, 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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