Cartier Vendome Trinity Rollerball Pen, Gold Plated, 1980s Boxed
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Complete With Cartier Box & Guarantee Card. Made in Paris, France Cartier pens are designed by Cart...
Gold Plate
Shauna Watkins Op-Art Paperweight, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage art glass paperweight features Op-Art design with dark, almost black Burgundy red glass circular structure, surrounded by striped glass ribbon in blue, white, and burnt oran...
Art Glass, Sommerso
Montblanc Gilded Cufflinks, Vintage 1950 – Elegant Mid-Century Collectible
Located in Vienna, AT
Montblanc gilded cufflinks, circa 1950, showcasing the brand’s classic elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. These vintage accessories combine timeless style with refined luxury, ma...
Gold Plate
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, 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 piec...
Brass
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Old Logo Slate Gray Stainless Steel & Gold Ballpoint Pen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Tiffany ballpoint pen. By Tiffany & Co. With a slate gray body with gold accents and a stylized gold clip. Marked to the pen'...
Gold, Stainless Steel
$1,500
Covered Compass
Located in Greenwich, CT
An Edwardian naval training compass in a glass case having graphic black and white lettering of the compass points and a working metal pointer, printed with the once well-known manuf...
Copper
Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Crystal, 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm
Crystal, Bronze
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840 A beautifully proportioned French paperweight from the late Empire period, crafted in richly veined Rouge Grio...
Griotte Marble
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Brass
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight Executed in nickel-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is han...
Iron, Nickel
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
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or p...
Brass
Lalique Crystal Female Figurative Sculpture, from Paris, France, circa 1970s
By Lalique
Located in New York, NY
A French Lalique crystal female figurative sculpture piece, circa 1970's, France. A nude crystal female figure sculpture on black glass ba...
Crystal
Antique Napoléon III. Inkwell from Bronze and Porcelain, Paris, France, 1839
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional antique Inkwell with rich bronze ornaments and three porcelain vessels. The ink jars are painted in a beautiful rich green and embellished with gold colour. France, 1839. On the lid is written "ENCRIER BOUQUET" "MEDAILLE D´ARGENT...
Bronze
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...
Brass
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Brass Finished Hammered Copper Desk Calendar Frame
By Roycroft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper desk calendar frame or picture frame By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Cent...
Copper, 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
Midcentury Expanded Metal Waste Paper Basket 1950s
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century generous sized and well built expanded metal trash can. Modernist three hairpin legs. Wood bottom. 1950s
Metal
Daum France Cobalt Blue Pate de Verre Cactus Flower Paperweight Sculpture, 1970s
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning pate de verre frosted crystal flower paperweight or decorative sculpture is by Daum, France, and was hand-made circa 1970. The sculpture features a lovely cactus flower...
Crystal
$49Sale Price|34% Off
New Brush Stand Solid Wenge Wood Small Holds 12
Located in Somis, CA
Our calligraphy brush stands are made of solid wenge wood, a prized, sustainable, exotic wood with beautiful grains. Top of the stands are deco...
Wood, Wenge
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Taupe Rocchetta Tray with Flamingos
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our hand-painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Light Taupe Rocchetta Tray with pink Flamingos design. This exquisite Rocchetta tray is a true cel...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Fox Hunt Table Thermometer, Central European, ca 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
This finely carved walnut thermometer is a sculptural and characterful example of early twentieth-century Central European craftsmanship, designed not only as a functional object but...
Opaline Glass, Nutwood
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9040 Polished Brass Knob Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte...
Brass
Italian Murano Millefiori egg shape Paperweight, c.1930
Located in Central England, GB
This exceptional Murano glass paperweight is a striking example of early 20th century Italian craftsmanship. Beautifully formed in a small egg shape, it is decorated with an intricat...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
James Alloway Paperweight with Controlled Bubbles, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The piece measures 3.25" high and 2.25" wide at the center. It is signed by the artist near the base. James Alloway (b. 1957) is a renowned American glass artist. James had a fasci...
Art Glass, Glass
Handcrafted Brass Gingko Leaf Decorative Paperweight with Bronze Patina
Located in London, London
Beautiful hand cast gingko leaf in patinated brass paperweight. Each of these brass leaves are handmade individually with incredible detail. Cast using ve...
Brass
Italian 1970s Metal Dachshund Dog Shaped Desk Pencil Holder
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Metal Dachshund Dog Shaped Desk Pencil Holder
Metal
Old Sámi Carved Folk Art Birch Bark Canister & Wooden Boot
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A couple of interesting decorative and still very useable pieces from the indigenous people the Samies who lives in areas in Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Kola Peninsula of Russia....
Birch
Salta Medium Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Polished Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #5072 'Chain' polished brass paperweight. Executed in brass-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is...
Brass, Iron
$300 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl...
Brass
Vintage Italian glass paperweight, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
Vintage glass paperweight, probably Italian circa 1960.
Glass
Vintage Austrian Art Nouveau Style Nude Girl Bronze or Brass Letter Opener 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Solid Brass Nude Lady Letter Opener, Austria, Mid-20th Century A striking vintage letter opener cast in solid brass and modeled as a reclining nude female figure. This decor...
Brass
English Georgian Style Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian-style (19th Century) bronze rectangular pen holder tray with filigree edge.
Bronze
Carl Auböck Model #3603L Large Brass and Leather Bell
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Brass
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Exotic Faux 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 faux 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
Horse Head Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible antique piece ...
Brass, Bronze
Delightful Sapphire Blue Czech Crystal Cushion Shaped Perfume Bottle circa 1930s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Delightful sapphire blue Czech crystal cushion shaped perfume bottle with dabber Vintage Bohemian, Czech crystal, circa 1930s Measure...
Glass
$380 / item
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by We...
Brass
1970s Gunnar Cyrén for Dansk Silver Plate Elephant Figurine Paperweight
By Gunnar Cyren
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Dansk Mid-Century Silver Plate Animal Elephant Figurine Paperweight. Vintage Dansk silver plate elephant figurine paper weight. Marked Dansk Designs Japan. Dimensions: 1.75ʺW × 2.25ʺ...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Lucite and Brass Tie And Jewelry Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Lucite tie and jewelry stand This tie rack has a worn brass finish, please see attached images for details.
Lucite
Arman Violins Accumulations Paperweight for Christofle, France, 1980s
By Christofle, Arman
Located in Milan, IT
Arman violins accumulations metal paperweight for Christofle, France, 1983.
Metal
Tomado Modernist Desk Office Paper Waste Basket, circa 1960
By Tomado
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a rare functional mid-century modern desk accessory or office waste-basket designed by Tomado, Holland, circa 1960. The oval shape features a light gray metal structure with ...
Metal
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
$120Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Art Deco Inspired Horse Bust Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and unique addition to your desk. This beautiful horse bust rests on a marble base making it an understated elegant part of your décor. The base i...
Marble
Murano Hand Blown Paperweight Yellow Flower with Blue Base Collectible Art Glass
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Murano Hand Blown Paperweight Yellow Flower with Blue Collectible Art Glass. Beautiful heavy large glass paperweight featuring yellow ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Trinity Fountain Pen With Box & Cartridges
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Silver Plated Trinity Fountain Pen Red Cartier Presentation Box With Ink Cartridges This Must de Cartier fountain pen has a body in silver meta...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate
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
Large Murano Glass Paperweight with Internal Bubbles and Swirls
Located in Rochester, NY
Vintage colorful Italian glass paperweight.
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$121Sale Price|20% Off
Set of Old Bound Books from the 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 "Journal des missions Evangeliques» with Map (Mission...
Leather, Paper
8 Foot Tall Pop Art Wood Pencil, 1970s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Back to the drawing board! A remarkable piece for spurring conversation at home or for capturing attention in a store display. This massive vintage trompe l'oeil pencil is made of on...
Metal
1930s Curt Schlevogt, Ingrid Collection Bohemian Malachite Glass Dresser Set
Located in Delft, NL
1930s Curt Schlevogt, Ingrid collection Bohemian Malachite glass dresser set Czechoslovakian moulded in deep relief Bohemian malachite glass dresser set by Curt Schlevogt from the...
Bronze
Vintage Italian Silver Dog Pen Tray - Dachshunds c.1968
Located in Bath, GB
An absolutely charming desk-top pen tray made from solid Italian silver (800/1000) in Venice by Rossi & Arcandi in the late 1960's. A wonderful subject, the tray is has the front wi...
Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period silvered bronze and abalone blotter corners, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (blotter corners sig...
Bronze
Valenti Solid Brass Letter Opener Equestrian Detail Spain
By Valenti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Valenti Letter Opener Modernist design Spain maker stamped Solid Brass Equestrian Horse Hoof exquisite detail 1 x 10.25 Original vintage Refer to images
Brass
Art Deco Macassar Wood and Chrome Desk Set Ruler, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This lovely Art Deco desk set ruler is the perfect accessory for any refined office ambiance. The ruler is made of Macassar wood with a chromed metal accent. The geometric shape is s...
Metal, Chrome
$1,000 / set
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...
Brass
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Brass and Cane Letter Opener, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Brass
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Ornate Letter Rack, Italian, Gilt Stationery Stand, Desk Tidy, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ornate letter rack. An Italian, gilt metal stationery stand or desk tidy, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Striking Continental taste with classic...
Metal
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.