$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
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
$2,858Sale Price / set|30% Off
Antique Victorian Rosewood Writing Slope With Inlaid Brass & Leather Interior
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Antique Victorian Rosewood Ladies Writing Slope With Inlaid Brass & Red Leather Interior With Brass Swing Carry Handles Finished With A Tooled Red Leather Interior C...
Brass
$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
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
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Antique French Neoclassical Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
Located in Miami, FL
A fine ornate antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze photo frame with back easel stand, Napoleon III era, circa 1880. Richly decorated with neoclassical style motifs such as faces...
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
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
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
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
Christian Dior Desk Waste Basket in Metal, Lucite and Rattan, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning wastebasket was designed for the Christian Dior Interior Collection. The rare piece was meticulously crafted in France circa 1970. The geometric shape features a gilded...
Metal, Brass
$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
Antique Neoclassical Marble Ruler with Brass Caps, Late 19th Century
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful neoclassical grand tour souvenir of a specimen Marble ruler. It is comprised of 12 different marble or stone pieces in one inch segments. Quite a novel idea and no need f...
Marble
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Claw & Marble Ball Letter Opener, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displays graceful, flowing lines and subtle ...
Marble, Bronze
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
$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
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
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern desk letter holder rack By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Cent...
Bronze
$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
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
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
French 18th Century Balance Scale
Located in Round Top, TX
A handsome French 18th century balance scale in iron and brass. The balance mechanism is in iron. The foot and the plates are in brass. The...
Brass, Iron
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
Magnifying Glass Seashell Handle Victorian
Located in New York, NY
A metal magnifying glass with seashell handle, circa early to mid-20th century. Piece has a metal frame with what appears to be a 'Richer's amalda' seashell, a rare deepwater species...
Metal
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
Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot
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
Vintage Antonio Grediaga Kieff Bronze Abstract Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This sensual and amazing small edition bronze sculpture is by the noted and prolific Canadian sculptor: Antonio Grediaga Kieff. It is abstract and ch...
Bronze
$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
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
Art Nouveau Style Brass Butterfly Letter Holder
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau style brass butterfly letter holder.
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
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
$934Sale 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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
$1,192Sale Price|20% Off
1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "1st Model Candy". Memphis Style
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Swatch twin phone 1st model in production called Candy. It's in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon for its amazing design. A true p...
Plastic
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
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
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
$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
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
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
Tiffany Studios New York Silvered Bronze and Abalone Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts period silvered bronze and inlaid abalone inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, early 20th century Measures: ...
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
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
Stylized Sitting Cat Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized sitting cat sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the...
Crystal
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
$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
Early 20th Century Viennese Bronze Pen Wipe Figurine, circa 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bronze wild boar figurine as a Pen Wipe, early 20th century – patinated This finely crafted, unpainted Viennese bronze figurine is believed to date from the early 20th cen...
Bronze
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
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
Cartier Iconic Panther Design Card and Envelope Set Luxury Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Panther Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Black Panther, limited edition Desk Accessory. Embo...
Paper
$300Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
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.