$85Sale Price / item|37% Off
New Brush Stand Solid Wenge Wood Large Holds 16
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
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
Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Black Vendome Trinity Rollerball Pen & Box
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated & Black Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Made in Paris, France Item Is Sold With Original Red & Gold Leather Box.
Gold Plate
$180Sale Price|20% Off
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
Early 19th Century French Ormolu Bronze Inkwell
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Inkwell on Circular Base Origin: France Material: Gilt bronze (Ormolu) Date: Circa 1800–1810 Dimensions: H × D: approx. 16 × 19 cm Description: Classical-style inkwell in t...
Bronze
Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, 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
World War II Munition Trench Art Brass and Coin Ashtray
Located in San Diego, CA
A unique military munition trench art, solid brass with coin slots ashtray, circa 1930s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 4.25"D x 3.75"H. The shell, which I bel...
Brass
$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
Vintage Fish Handled Magnifying Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage fish handled magnifying glass, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 3.5"W x 9"D. The handle is made of aluminum and Has nice weight and det...
Brass, Aluminum
1980's Postmodern Memphis Design George Matsumoto Magic Cube Hidden Office
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Ingenious, Memphis Era, Postmodern "Magic Cube" with hidden compartments filled with desk/office supplies. Designed by renowned Japanese-American, modernist architect, George Matsum...
Plastic
Classic Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Rollerball Pen
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
Cubic3 Dutch Design Table or Desk Lamp "Nachtschade", Nightshade Plants Inspired
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, adjustable and rotational, stylized plant table lamp, from 1987. This rare and interesting table lamp is number 65 of a limited edition of only 100 and one of the others is in the famous Dutch "Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen". Illuminate your workspace with "Nightshade", the innovative desk lamp that blends functionality with botanical beauty. Crafted by hand this adjustable lamp brings a touch of artisanal charm to your desk or sidetable. Designers Ton Hoogerwerf en Gerwen van Vulpen must have been inspired by this particular group / family of plants (a family that grows particularly well in the night and in the shade, hence the name Night-shade) and the result of their design ideas has become a collector's item at home and abroad. Obviously for a lamp to have such a design and such a name makes this work of lighting art a true result of fresh creativity. The bottom part represents the flower pot, then the stem with the leaves and at the end the flower with the bulb as a stamen. Cubic 3 Design...
Brass, Copper, Nickel
Dice Steel Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage German Steel Dice Paperweight (Art Deco Style, c. Mid-20th Century) A striking minimalist sculpture and paperweight, this German steel cube features a single dice form balan...
Metal, Steel
Pop Art "Coca Cola"/ Coke Bottle in Lucite Sculpture / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A really fun pop art "Coca Cola" / Coke bottle in lucite sculpture / paperweight, circa 1970s. The sculpture is in good vintage condition with minor markings and crazing due to age;...
Lucite
Egyptian Revival Bronze Scarab Paperweight with Hieroglyphic Inscription
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Egyptian Revival Bronze Scarab Paperweight with Hieroglyphic Inscription, Early 20th Century A finely cast Egyptian Revival scarab paperweight in p...
Bronze
Canon A-1 Black Body 35mm SLR Film Camera with Canon FD 50mm F1.8 Prime Lens
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Canon A-1 Black Body 35mm SLR Film Camera with Canon FD 50mm F1.8 Prime Lens 1978 to 1985 Made in Japan Weight: 609g
Metal
Hand-Carved Alabaster Fruit Sculptures Pear and Apple Collectible 1980s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of Italian Hand-Carved Alabaster Fruit Sculptures – Pear & Apple, Vintage Collectible Objects of Art Circa 1980s. A refined and collectible pair of vintage Italian fruit sculptu...
Alabaster
Kodak No. 2A Folding Autographic Brownie Folding Roll Film Camera
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Kodak No. 2A Folding Autographic Brownie Folding Roll Film Camera Made In Canada Uses Type 116 Autographic Roll Film Patented 1910-1913 Frame Size: 2 1/4 × 4 1/4 inches Uses a Ko...
Metal
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, 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
Set of 6 Brutalist Coasters by Garcia Marquez, Spain, 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Very nice set of 6 brutalist coasters by garcia lopez, designed and produced in spain in the 1970s. Brass and aluminum objects, protected undersides. Rare design object that will dec...
Aluminum, Brass
Adorable, Pedigree French Poodle, Toffee Glaze Ceramic Figurine, Vallauris 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Sporting a 'Dutch Cut' to his coat, this adorable ceramic poodle stands tall and proud Collar and feet are gilded, the glaze is a delicious toffee caramel colour and the eyes are pin...
Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti Early Yellow Ceramic and Gold Sun Pencil Holder, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Piero Fornasetti Early Yellow Ceramic and Gold Sun Pencil Holder, 1950s
Ceramic
Japanned or Chinoiserie Decorated Louis XV Style Lacquer Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
The lacquer ground with a strong burgundy undertone. Well carved , colored and other wise decorated . The porcelain well in good Antique condition . Minor wear due to age and use .
Lacquer
Antique French Ormolu Casket Jewelry Box Sevres Urn Vase Religious Rosary Beads
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French Sevres Soft Paste miniature hand decorated Rich Celeste Blue Porcelain Urn of exceptional quality. French ormolu circular hinge lidded trinket box with beautiful ce...
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
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
A 18ct Gold Nib Must de Cartier Platinum Cased Trinity Fountain Pen
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Trinity Fountain Pen With Box This Must de Cartier fountain pen has a body in engine turned silver metal with gadroon motif. Finished with th...
Gold, Silver Plate
$430 / item
Carl Auböck Model #3844 Polished Brass Bowl
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3844 polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally conc...
Brass
BeoCom 6000 Desktop Telephone in Royal Blue by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen
Located in San Diego, CA
BeoCom 6000 cordless handset and table charger by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen, circa 1990s. The phone is royal blue and grey and has a grey cradle / table charger; it is in very...
Plastic
$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
$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
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...
Sterling Silver
Antique Campaign Writing Slope, English Correspondence Box, Book Rest, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique campaign writing slope. An English, mahogany and brass correspondence box with leather skiver and book rest, dating t...
Brass
Early 20th-C. French Gilt Bronze And Malachite Desk Pen Inkwell / Inkstand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...
Malachite, Bronze
$1,800
Clear Murano Photo Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Height: 13 inches / width: 10 inches / depth: 2 inches For photo siz...
Brass
$240 / item
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4330/1 Polished Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Produc...
Brass
Stylized Sitting Bunny Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized bunny rabbit sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on th...
Crystal
$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
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
Art Nouveau French Inkwell Hand of Glory Inkwell, Gilt Bronze
Located in Valladolid, ES
Elegant tabletop inkwell made in France in the early 20th century, following the aesthetic of Belle Époque designs. The piece is structured around an iconographic motif with a long ...
Ormolu, Pewter
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
FORNASETTI Glass Paperweight
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage glass sphere paperweight by Fornasetti, made in Italy in the 1990s Original label underside Diameter: 3 inches / Height: 1.5 inches 1 ...
Glass
Early 20th Century Viennese Bronze Pen Wipe Pig Figurine, circa 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful bronze pig figurine as a Pen Wipe, early 20th century – patinated This finely crafted, unpainted Viennese bronze or brass figurine is believed to date from the early 20th ...
Bronze
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
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Orange Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can cr...
Resin
Antique Vintage Lady's Gentlemans Ebonised Wooden Walking Stick Dress Cane 1895
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Unusual Fine Quality English Ladies or Gentleman’s Walking Stick or Dress Cane of outstanding quality and stylish design, last quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Sterling Silv...
Sterling Silver
Frog Prince Bronze Pen Holder Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine An elegant early 1950s - 1960s figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze design. The piece display...
Bronze
1970s Wood and Metal Peter Pepper Two Tier Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A fantastic paper tray. High quality construction with metal elements. Peter Pepper Products produced many icons of California Designs. USA, 1970s.
Wood
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Blue Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Paul Stankard “Daylily” Paperweight, 1977
By Paul Stankard
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, 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
$2,116Sale Price / set|40% Off
Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Key
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With A Tooled Black Leather Scriver Slope will include A Single Glass Inkwell A vintage pen S moder...
Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather...
Brass
Mid-19th Century Murano "Chalcedony Glass" Paperweight
By Lorenzo Radi
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century Murano "chalcedony glass" paperweight. By Lorenzo Radi Sr. or one of his followers. Handblown. Chalcedony originated among the Romans & Egyptians, was rediscovered i...
Murano Glass
Antique Bronze Champlevé Enamel Blue White Red Gold Letter Opener Desk Accessory
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Bronze Champlevé Enamel Blue White Red Gold Letter Opener Desk Accessory Continental Bronze, enamel Late 19th Century Dimensions: Length 17.5cm This late 19th centur...
Bronze, Enamel
1913 René Lalique - Seal Stamp Pigeons Glass With Grey Patina
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal Stamped "Pigeons" made in frosted glass with a grey patina in 1913. Engraved signature. Perfect condition. Beautiful patina. Extremely rare model. Height: 9.8 cm. Félix Marci...
Blown Glass
Murano glass Dog Paperweight Italy around 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
Murano glass Dog Paperweight Italy around 1970s Original condition
Murano Glass
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4867 2-inch 'Egg' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Brass
Cartier Santos 18ct Gold Plated & Brushed Steel Ballpoint Pen in Original Box
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Cartier Brushed Steel & 18ct Gold Plated Santos Stylo Bille Must II Pen comes with Hard Case and Booklet Cartier pens are designed by Cartier,...
Gold Plate, Steel
Michael Jackson Opus Coffee Table Book by Opus Media, Hardcover, 2009
By Opus Canada
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michael Jackson Opus Large heavy collector coffee table book. "The Official Michael Jackson Opus" is the definitive publication about the ‘King of...
Paper
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.