Vintage Moroccan Red and Gold Embossed Leather Padfolio
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan Red and Gold Embossed Leather Padfolio. Vintage Red Rust Orange Leather 22k Gold Embossed Hand Painted Moroccan Book Cover Portfolio. This is a vintage handcrafted h...
Leather
$322 / item
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. ...
Nickel
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period gilt bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10"W x 3....
Bronze
$540Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Wood, Shagreen
Cartier 18ct Gold Nib Burgundy Lacquer Trinity Rollerball Writing Pen
By Cartier
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...
Gold Plate, Enamel
Millefiori Paperweight Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Murano midcentury modern 1960s Millefiori flower, green, blue, red, white murine Italian Art Glass paperweight.
Art Glass, Murrine
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bronze Wood Marquetry Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique inkwell, with two inkwells made of bronze, including glass cups. The base is made of veneered marquetry wood with a diamond pattern, framed in a bronze rim, resting...
Bronze
$401 / item
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...
Brass
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
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Floating Pennies in Lucite Cube Paperweight in the Style of William Rolfe
Located in San Diego, CA
Floating pennies in lucite cube paperweight in the style of William Rolfe, circa 1980s. The pice is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W...
Lucite
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...
Sterling Silver
Antique Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Dog Letter Opener 1890s, Austria Vienna
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautifully carved and richly expressive, this antique dog head letter opener is a fine example of late 19th-century Black Forest or Brienz craftsmanship. Hand-carved from wood, the ...
Glass, Wood
Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite 1997 Hafod Grange paperweight beautifully encases a delicate dandelion seed head within a perfectly clear crystal sphere, creating a stunning display of nature's fragi...
Resin
$1,890 / set
Collection Gilt Leather Bound Library Book Set
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Decorate your sturdy / Library room with this collection set of gilt leather bound library book set of eighteen volumes. Germany in storm and stress ...
Paper, Leather
$700Sale Price|28% Off
English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality brass inlaid Campaign style traveling desk with a recessed brass handle engraved with the name of its owner, Anne Orten. The piece opens to reveal a velvet lined writi...
Brass
Art Deco Wood, Fur and Leather Desk Accessory, 5 Pieces by Dan Karner France
By Dan Karner 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite desk set by Dan Karner (also known as Daniel Karner) showcases the beauty of French Art Deco design. Crafted with genuine pony skin fur, rich cognac leather, intricate...
Crystal
Art Deco paperweight by Le Fer Forgé Henri Fournet
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Deco paperweight, circa 1925, in wrought iron and red copper, decorated with a rose. Stamped "Le Fer Forgé" H.F. (ironworks located in Lyon). Width: 9 cm Length: 9 cm Height: 1...
Copper, Wrought Iron
Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot
By SILVA (Sri Lanka)
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb Ceylonese porcupine quill lidded pot in a most unusual conical shape Fashioned in dark wood and decorated with quill pieces All quills are present and in excellent order. Int...
Hardwood
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...
Brass
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...
Metal, Sterling Silver
Montblanc Meisterstuck Le Petit Prince & Aviator Ballpoint Pen Special Edition
By Montblanc
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Special Edition Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince & Aviator. The barrel and cap of the ballpoint are made of brown precious resin. The clip ...
Platinum
$520Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Paul Stankard “Daylily” Paperweight, 1977
Located in Norwood, NJ
Privately commissioned in 1977, this studio art glass paperweight by Paul Stankard is titled Daylily and features a finely detailed daylily arranged with cranberry branches and buds....
Art Glass
Otterburn Chess Table — Solid Patinated Brass and Walnut — by NOVOCASTRIAN
By Novocastrian
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...
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Brass, Bronze, Copper, ...
Murano Glass Paperweight With Swirl Tornado Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1980s
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....
Murano Glass
Petite English Electroplated Nickel on Silver Lidded Container with Flame Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
A petite English electroplated nickel on silver lidded container from the 20th century, with flaming finial and bead-and-reel motifs. Created in England during the 20th century, this...
Silver Plate, Nickel
Contemporary Signed Italian Metal Sculpture
By Costa
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and interesting Italian metal sculpture of contemporary art. The work is presented under an elegant shrine with a wooden base. Excell...
Metal
Murano Salviati Sommerso Sapphire Blue Italian Art Glass Snail Figure Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso cobalt blue snail, with light blue shell Italian art glass sculpture. The piece is documented to the Salviati company, and at...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
Italian Photo Frame in Silver , Laura G Heart ruby.
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Laura G' Heart Ruby is a very sweet small photo frame, golden silver with enamel ruby color, a wonderful masterpiece of Laura G collection Art with Heart photo frames...
Silver
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4575 Patinated Square Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, 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 po...
Brass
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Large A - Color: Vanilla
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Baccarat French Blue Crystal Paperweight Decorative Object
By Baccarat
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...
Crystal
Vintage 1980s Gucci Desk Set Accessories - Leather Pen + Paper Holder & Tray
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice 1980s Gucci - Italy designed leather desk accessories set, includes pen holder, note paper holder and small tray. The leather pieces have the classic green and red stripe, with ...
Ceramic, Leather, Suede
$935Sale Price|38% Off
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
By Napoléon III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
Brass
$200Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Marble
Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Always very popular and a very useful desk-top accessory, this one is one of the larger examples, quite an imposing size. These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser o...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass....
Brass
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
Brass
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Medium B - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Hermès Paris Mahogany Stationery / Correspondence Box, 1988
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Hermès Paris Mahogany Stationery / Correspondence Box, 1988 This refined Hermès correspondence box exemplifies the Maison’s dedication to craftsmanship, discretion, and timeless lu...
Brass
$125Sale Price|28% Off
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.
Crystal, Brass
Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor, made by Franz Bergmann Vienna Austria. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displ...
Bronze
$5,000 / set
Meissen Green Ming Dragon Porcelain Writing Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A mid-20th century hand-painted porcelain desk accessories set by Meissen Porzellan, a prominent German porcelain manufacture. Ming Dragon pattern in...
Porcelain
$475
Onyx Catchall
Located in New York, NY
A substantial green and brown onyx marble catchall, circa mid-20th century. Use to hold pens, jewelry, etc., on a desk, vanity, nightstand, walk-in-closet, etc. Dimensions: 2.63" Hei...
Onyx, Marble
Jelly Fish Murano Glass Paperweight Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1980s
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....
Murano Glass
$936Sale Price|20% Off
Fountain Pen in Sterling Silver fired Enamel Guilloche Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Fountain pen in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloche. With 14 carats gold nib and ink cartridge. Diameter mm. 10.5 Total length cm. 14. Weight gr. 45. ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold
$344Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gucci 1970s Gold & Nickel Pen / Pencil Cup or Makeup Brush Holder
By Gucci
Located in Montclair, NY
Presented is a sophisticated and rare 1970s Gucci pencil or pen cup holder. Additionally, it is well suited for holding makeup brushes for a stylish addition a vanity or counter. Thi...
Gold Plate, Nickel
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. ...
Metal, Brass
Rare Arts & Crafts Beaded Velvet Picture Frame with Floral Folk Art Motif, c1910
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional beaded velvet picture frame with a wonderfully rich folk art / Arts & Crafts decor. For the collector of rare and finely handcrafted Arts & Crafts objects, this striking...
Velvet, Glass
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...
Brass
Vintage Brass and Wrought Iron Skeleton Key
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A vintage brass and wrought iron skeleton key. Embossed "PENN" on the side. Shown with lifesize hand model for scale. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE Unknown....
Brass, Wrought Iron
Hans Jensen 6-Piece Vanity Set – Embossed Silver-Plated Alpacca, Denmark
By Hans Jensen
Located in Bochum, NRW
Hans Jensen Danish Silver-Plated Vanity Set – 6-Piece Antique Collection with Embossed Classical Scenes, Marked "Prima Alpacca Import" A rare 6-piece antique vanity set...
Silver Plate
$258 / item
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...
Marble, Brass
Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Scandinese style - Large - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
High-end design, without excess. The AUREN Collection elevates the Aria experience with trays that combine genuine leather and premium-quality brass handles. Featuring hardware ins...
Brass
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
Mid-Century Cobolt Blue Sommerso Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Venician made Sommerso faceted vase in cobolt blue color by the Murano based artist Flavio Poli. This piece of art is from around 1960 for "Seguso Vetri ...
Art Glass
Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.
By Gio Ponti, Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Malmö, SE
A rare and beautiful paperweight with amazing surrealist eyeball decor. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1950s. Great original conditio...
Porcelain
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...
Brass
Vintage Red Swivel Desk Storage Organizer by Rino Pirovano for Art 900
By Rexite
Located in East Quogue, NY
This vintage red swivel desk organizer, designed by Rino Pirovano for Rexite in the mid-1970s, is a celebrated example of Italian design. Made of ABS plastic, it features four rotati...
Plastic
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Peanut Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist peanut keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...
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.