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Desk Accessories For Sale
Pierre Cardin Sterling Letter Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PIerre Cardin dark blue upholstered letter holder with sterling silver / made in France Original mark on the front Length: 9 inches / Width: 4.5 inches / Height: 4 inches 1 available...
Category

Late 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Montblanc Meisterstück Black Fountain Pen With Original Box, Inkwell & Paperwork
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Montblanc Fountain Pen Set. A Montblanc Meisterstück Black Fountain Pen With Original Box & Paperwork. Sold With and A Glass Black Inkwell Wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Handmade Big Paperweight with Sphere Shape in Grey Bardiglio Marble
Located in Carrara, IT
Paperweight with sphere shape in grey Bardiglio marble. Measure: diameter 12cm Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcraft...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished and patinated brass. Each pi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Baccarat French Blue Crystal Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful multifaceted French paperweight in sapphire blue and clear crystal from luxury Maison, Baccarat, circa late-20th century, France. This clear crystal and sapphire blue pap...
Category

Late 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Cartier 18ct Gold Nib Burgundy Lacquer Trinity Rollerball Writing Pen
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Cartier Burgundy Lacquer & 18 Carat Gold Plate Trinity Rollerball Writing Pen With Cartier Case. Cartier pens are designed by Cartier, & are manufactured by Montblan...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel

Carl Auböck Model #4330/1 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4330/1 hook in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Top Quality Workmanship Antique Signed Alabaster Puppy Sculpture by Ernst Beck
Located in Lisse, NL
Marvelous and signed, sitting puppy dog sculpture with glass eyes. This stunning alabaster puppy sculpture is another one of our recent great finds. If you have an eye for top quali...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Alabaster

Petite Classica Crystal Inkwell
Located in Sheffield, MA
Small and elegant crystal inkwell with a brass collar with a square base and faceted lid makes a wonderful accent on your desk or table top. Ink-well, ink well, inkwell.
Category

Early 20th Century European Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Petite Classica Crystal Inkwell
Petite Classica Crystal Inkwell
$125 Sale Price
28% Off
Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Holder, circa 1970, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Claude Victor Boeltz Letter Holder , circa 1970, France. Gilt exploded bronze, metal blade. Dimensions: 16 cm W, 10 cm H, 8 cm D. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" pieces, made famous in th...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Brass Elephant Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Brass elephant paperweight, circa 1970's. The piece is. in very good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 1.5"W x 4"D x 3.5"H. #4065
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 Brass and Cane 'Flatiron' Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished or patinat...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Fratelli Toso Murano Green White Italian Art Glass Crown Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown green and white twisting ribbons Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. This paperweights are often ...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

MCM Brass / Leather Long Shoehorn in the Style of Jacques Adnet by Arfango
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool MCM brass and leather long shoehorn in the style of Jacques Adnet by Arfango, circa 1960s. The piece has a brass handle and Horn attached by ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Machine Age Fluted Aluminum Desk Container W/ Etched Geometric Motifs
Located in New York, NY
This rare Art Deco Machine Age desk container, crafted in America circa 1935, showcases the industrial elegance characteristic of the era. Made from fluted aluminum, its sleek vertic...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Gorgeous Large Murano Italian Art Glass Fish Aquarium Paperweight, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing some multicolored fishes, floating on controlled bubbles. Colors are a blue, orange and clear. A beautifu...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Greta Garbo Fountain pen by Montblanc, Swiss ca 2005
Located in Delft, NL
Greta Garbo Fountain pen by Montblanc, Swiss ca 2005 The MONTBLANC Greta Garbo fountain pen is a women's pen. The chic profile of the pen, that slightly curves. The fountain pen wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

French Chess Theme of Ancient Egypt Plaster & Wood Restored, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French chess game in the thematic of Ancient Egypt. The chess pieces are in painted and waxed plaster, the board is in wood and the is also a display shel...
Category

1920s French Egyptian Revival Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Carl Auböck Model #3844 Brass Bowl
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3844 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceiv...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Desk Set in Elegant Art Deco from 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very elegant desk set in art deco probably from 1930s or earlier. The desk set is made of patinated brass and consists of two parts. An ink stand with pen stand and a rocker blotter...
Category

1930s European Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Leather Tray, Large A Rectangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Vanilla
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Disko Metal Just Andersen, Denmark 1930s Art Deco Stylised Bird Pipe Rest
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark, disko metal stylised bird pipe rest Disko metal, invented by Just Andersen by combing lead and antimony circa 1930s Stamped on base Measures: Height 2.5 inc...
Category

1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Carl Auböck Model #3603L Large Brass and Leather Bell
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3603L large brass and leather bell. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass an...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Zodiac Bookends, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern bronze bookends By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, early 20th century Each measures: ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Mixed Exotic Shagreen & Wood Contemporary Waste Basket by R&Y Augousti of Paris
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible mixed exotic contemporary waste basket by R&Y Augousti of Paris, circa 2000s. The basket is made of cream colored shagreen and hard wood and is in very good vintage condition; it measure 4.5"W x 3.5"D and 23.75"H. Signed on the underside. #2463 R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-wife duo Ria & Yiouri Augousti. Their artistic backgrounds brought them together as innovators in their field by reviving the artisanal techniques of shagreen and other exotic materials that were predominant in the Art Deco period of the 1930s. Through their mix of vintage and contemporary design their furniture and home accessories brand were met with worldwide praise. From a debut collection for the luxurious Hotel Crillon...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Organic Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Shagreen

Carl Auböck Model #4965 Large Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #4956 brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Price is per...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
An Exquisite and Rare French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Bloodstone Inkwell, circa 1875. A truly exceptional and jewel like quality inkwell encrier, made with the finest ormolu, mounted on bloodstone. A true collectors and one of a kind piece. Revival of the ancient régime in the late 19th century was paramount to the French furniture and bronze casting firms of the Belle Epoque. Imitation in the highest regard and replication of those tastes and styles was prevalent throughout the Paris Faubourg, where the most talented bronziers and ébénistes established their workshops. The present inkwell encrier recalls the late 18th century's obsession with hardstones - a taste expounded above all by the duc d'Aumont and, subsequently Marie-Antoinette. Such hardstone-mounted pieces, reminiscent of Renaissance schatzkammer objects, enjoyed a revived popularity at the end of the 18th century through the impetus of both the marchands-mercier and, more importantly, the hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs, where the duc d'Aumont himself established a workshop in 1770 specializing in the cutting and polishing of precious hardstones. This exceptional inkwell encrier, sumptuously-mounted with finely chased gilt-bronzes, incorporates a highly-prized material such as bloodstone. Sometimes called the Sunstone, the meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled in fascinating history. The Ancient Greeks held the Bloodstone as a gem with glorious powers. They referred to it as Heliotrope, which directly translates to Sunstone. It was believed to have heavenly healing powers gifted by the gods and most certainly when it came to healing all things related to the blood. Even as we move forward into the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone takes another mystical story under its wing. It was believed to be formed from Christ's blood. It was said that during the Crucifixion, a few red spots of his blood dripped...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Set of Old Bound Books, 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of old books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are entitled "Histoire du protestantisme français" (History of Fren...
Category

19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Paper

Solid Bronze Carl Auböck Heart Neiman Marcus Paperweight Austria
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid bronze egg paperweight by Carl Aubock and sold through Neiman Marcus. Austria. 1970s.
Category

1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Set of Mid-Century Modern Guzzini Crystal Lucite Italian Vases, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful set of four crystal plexiglass flower vases. This fantastic set was designed by Guzzini in Italy during the 1970s. This set is made of four different flower vases with t...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass

Lubitel 2 Bakelite With LOMO T-22 75/4.5 Taking Lens Manufactured by OMO
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Lubitel 2 Bakelite With LOMO T-22 75/4.5 Taking Lens Manufactured by OMO Manufactured between 1954 and 1980 Ref 7439664 Camera has a waist level finder and focusing rings are mad...
Category

Late 20th Century Russian Space Age Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Petite Murano Glass Paperweight Flower inside Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop. Found at an estate sale in Verona, Italy....
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Kralik Loetz Art Nouveau Iridescent Glass Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique iridescent purple glass inkwell by Kralik in the "Pampas" decor, i.e. a Kralik decor shift on Loetz Pampas. Lobed square form with typical trailed...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3846 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. The Auböck #3846 booke...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3848 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3848 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Each piece bears the ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Herend Porcelain Roses
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Herend porcelain salmon orange roses with green leaves and vine/stem decorative object, 2001, Hungary. Marker's mark on underside as shown in last image. Dimensions: 6" x...
Category

20th Century Hungarian Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Herend Porcelain Roses
Herend Porcelain Roses
$120 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4636 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4636 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1970s Iron Sun and Moon Bookends by Curtis Jere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sculptural bookends with sun and moon on opposite sides. Silvered wrought iron. Signed and dated by artist. Price is for the pair.
Category

1970s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Vintage Dialog Pen by Hedex, 2000s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Dialog Pen by Gedex. With its original box. Excellent condition.
Category

Early 2000s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Otterburn Chess Table — Solid Hand-Patinated Brass and Walnut — Made in Britain
Located in Washington, GB
Commissioned by a special client as the perfect stage for their chess battles, this table is a showcase of NOVOCASTRIAN’s creative ability, of almost 10 years of experimentation, ref...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Bronze, Copper, ...

British The Eclectic Copycat Brass Stencil Typeface Tool A from Tom Dixon
Located in Hamburg, DE
British The Eclectic Copycat Brass Stencil Typeface Tool A from Tom Dixon, in Flawless conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mat...
Category

20th Century British Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Vintage Ladys Gentlemans German Wooden Sterling Walking Stick Dress Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stylish Solid Polished Ebony and Sterling Silver Lady’s or Gentleman’s Walking Stick with Traditional Crook shaped handle of German origin, complete with its original bi-metal polish...
Category

Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver-Plate Vanity Set With Comb, Brush and Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage, never used, vanity set with a bristle brush, comb and mirror. Each piece fits neatly into a velvet carrying case with hinge closure. Each piece features an ornate silver...
Category

20th Century Late Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Traveling Inkwell Milk Churn Shape
Located in Vienna, AT
This figural traveling inkwell was made during the very early 1900s. It is made to look like a milk churn. We believe it is made of nickel plated brass; some of the plating has worn ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tony Paul for Woodlin-Hall Mod-577 Brass & Walnut Interlace Magazine Rack, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic mid-century magazine rack by Tony Paul for Woodlin-Hall, model no. 577 from the Interlace line, designed and produced circa 1950s. This collectible piece features a sculptural brass rod frame and a woven grid basket made from richly toned walnut wood interlaced slats. The solid walnut dowel handle adds warmth and functionality to the minimalist brass structure, making it a beautiful marriage of material and form. This design was originally featured in a Woodlin-Hall catalog, where it was offered as part of a cohesive collection of woven brass and wood storage and accessory pieces. The Model 577 is described as measuring 16.5" wide, 8.5" deep, and 17" high - a size that makes it ideal for holding magazines, vinyl records, or even guest towels in a powder room or spa. A quintessential accessory for a Mid-Century Modern, California Modern, or Danish Modern interior, this piece also sits comfortably within Contemporary, Eclectic, or Japandi-styled spaces. Lightweight and elegantly proportioned, it works beautifully beside a lounge chair or sofa, paired with teak, walnut, or brass accents. The warm patina on both the brass and wood slats adds authenticity and vintage appeal. This Tony Paul magazine...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Luigi Colani Drumbo Green Elephant Money Bank for Dresdner Bank, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage money Piggy bank. A beautiful decorative item, designed by Luigi Colani, for Dresden Bank Germany. Made in Europe, circa 1970s. Nice addition to any collection, desk...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Gold Silk Moiré and Bronze Picture Frame with Garlands
Located in Toronto, ON
Capture your memories in this French antique bronze picture frame with garlands and gold silk moiré. Accepts one 4" x 6" photograph.
Category

Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Brass Globe Cigarette Holder and Ashtray/Coin Dish, circa 1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original mid-century brass cigarette holder with ashtray or coin dish. The lid slides open on the globe's axis to reveal a metal interior designed to hold cigarettes. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Vintage Letter Opener.
Category

Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Polished Brass Hand Bottle Opener #4224
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass hand bottle opener #4224. This whimsical 1950's hand bottle opener by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

André Ricard 'Olympic Torch Prototype' for Barcelona 1992 Games, circa 1992
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Olympic torch prototype (PT) in chromed plastic for Barcelona '92 by André Ricard. Manufactured in Spain, circa 1990. In good original condition, w...
Category

1990s Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Aircraft Engine Gold Speaker
Located in Paris, FR
Speaker Aircraft Engine Gold is inspired by radial aircraft engines from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum alloy wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum, Gold Plate, Chrome

Antique Gentlemans Ladys Gadget Measuring English Bamboo Walking Stick Cane RARE
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb Rare Polished Victorian Bamboo Wood Ladys or Gentlemans Walking Stick of outstanding quality by Charles Cook who also worked for renowned Stick makers Brigg & Sons in Lond...
Category

19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock II Hand Paperweight & Wall Hook
Located in New York, NY
Carl Aubock II Hand Paperweight & Wall Hook, Model #4223. Werkstatte, Austria. 1950s. Stamped "Made in Austria" to each. Scuffs and scratches to finish. Price is for 1 - Both wal...
Category

1990s Australian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brown Stitched Leather Covered Telephone by Contempra 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra Stitched Leather clad tone touch Telephone, Desk or Wall Mount.Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra telephone covered in stitched brown leather.Could...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Bakelite

Pentax Camera Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Take home this incredible vintage Pentax Camera Lighter while it's still on the market. Rare and in perfect working condition. Adjustable lighter with a...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Purple Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown royal blue and white mini spots, with purple and white millefiori flower murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso c...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine

Murano "millefiori" Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Murano Multicolor Art Glass Paperweight unmarked, maker unknown, 1970's "Millefiori is a glasswork technique which produces distinctive decorative patterns on glassware. The term m...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Enchanted brass and glass pen holder
Located in Firenze, FI
Add some sophistication and organization to your desk with our glass pen holder featuring a beautiful brass structure. Perfect for holding pens, penci...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, 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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