Christmas Ceramic Houses for Candle Light Deco in Shape of a Village Around 1970
Located in Wien, Au
Handcrafted Christmas ceramic houses for candle light deco in shape of a village around 1970s The church dimensions are: Hight: 25cm Wide: 11cm De...
Ceramic
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
Egyptian Revival Sphinx Inkwell by Maitland Smith
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival inkwell desk set featuring a tomb form stamp box with a sphinx mounted on either side. The front section has a recessed pen tray. The piece is made of...
Marble, 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
Rare German Art Deco Desk Set, 1940's, Set of 4
Located in Lisboa, PT
This rare desk set was designed and produced in Germany, during the 1940's. It consists on a knives holder, with three knives, a letter holder, an ashtra...
Brass
$400 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Brass
$420 / item
Carl Auböck Model #5261 Hook in Nickel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck model #5261 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
Granite Marble Female Statue Sculpture Venus de Milo Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful white granite marble reproduction of Greek goddess 'Venus de Milo' female figure statue sculpture in the Neoclassical style, circa early-20th century, Italy. A great deco...
Granite, Marble
Montblanc Meisterstück Black Fountain Pen With Original Box, Inkwell & Paperwork
By Montblanc
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...
Gold
Mdina Glass Paperweight, Abstract Design, Handcrafted, Malta, 1970s
By Mdina
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Art Glass Paperweight made by Mdina glass, Malta during the 1970's This paperweight has an unusual abstract pattern, all hand crafted. It has the original Mdina...
Art Glass
Modernist Silver Plate Pear Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool modernist silver plated pear paperweight / sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is well crafted with a nice weight and in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks...
Silver Plate
20th Century Silver Plate Pocket Emptier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful 20th century silver plate pocket emptier. Refined finely chiseled decorations. Perfect for embellishing a desk with class.
Silver Plate
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Lacquer Gold Maki-e Wood Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Lacquer Gold Maki-e Wood Letter Opener Japan Wood, lacquer, paint c. 1900 Dimensions: Length 28cm Dating to the Meiji period, this superb letter...
Gold
Daum Crystal Cat Paperweight Sculpture, France circa 1960
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
Daum, France, created this adorable crystal kitty cat figurine paperweight or ornamental sculpture by hand in the late 1960s. The sculpture features a lovely cat with dimensional car...
Crystal
Italian Lucite Pen Pencil Desk Holder By Designer Rede Guzzini
By Rede Guzzini
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Lucite pen, pencil, marker and small paper desk organizer/holder, Postmodern period or Modern style, by designer Rede Guzzini, circa 1980s, Italy. A great desk accessory a...
Lucite
$1,738Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Art Deco Bronze Bird Figures on Black Marble Bases
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unmatching pair of bronze dove bird sculptures or paperweights. France, 1930s Art Deco sitting dove bird and standing dove bird figurines on black marble pedestals. Measures: Sta...
Marble, Bronze
Antique George III Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A elegant burr walnut George III Military Campaign writing slope with brass bound corners and cartouche to the top, circa 1820 in date The beautifully polished burr walnut case has ...
Brass
Late 19th Century Cut Crystal Inkwell with Silver-Plated Screw Cap
Located in Greven, DE
Cut Crystal Inkwell with Hinged Silver-Plated Lid England or France Cut crystal, silver-plated metal Late 19th century Dimensions: H × W × D: 7 × 5 × 5 cm Description: A compact i...
Cut Glass
Sellier & Bellot Antique Mechanical Pencil Sharpener, Czechoslovakia, MidCentury
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare and highly collectible Sellier & Bellot (S&B) mechanical desk pencil sharpener, manufactured in Prague, Czechoslovakia. This substantial vintage pencil sharpener features a rob...
Metal
$788Sale Price|30% Off
Parker 75 Vermeil Sterling Silver GT Fountain With 14k Yellow Gold Nib
By Parker
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Parker 75 Vermeil Sterling Silver GT Fountain With 14k Yellow Gold Nib. Supplied With An Original Parker Blue Leather, Blue Velvet Lined Presentation Box Circa 1964-1969 Made in U...
Sterling Silver, Gold
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
1970s Letter Holder in Black & Transparent Lucite - French Desk Accessory
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
1970s Letter Holder in Black & Transparent Lucite - French Desk Accessory Minimal and chic letter holder, made of lucite. Perfect to place on a desk or in the entryway. Dimens...
Lucite, Plexiglass
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
Brass Desk Paperweight in original wooden Box, byWerkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass desk paperweight by Werkstätten Carl Auböck, preserved in its original wooden presentation box printed “la plume de ma tante.” The object is formed as a long, faceted shaft w...
Brass
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Baccarat Crystal Reversible Sculptural Trinket Desk Tray Sculpture France Signed
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and tough to find Baccarat Crystal desk trinket tray dating from the 1960's. Wonderful form and design. One side has cut out circles and the other has different shaped cutouts. ...
Crystal
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
MCM Octagonal Brass Ashtray
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM octagonal brass ashtray, circa 1950s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 7.25"D x 1.25"H. #4209
Brass
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Brass and Cane Letter Opener, Mid-Century Modern Design
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Brass
$1,475Sale Price / set|20% Off
Montblanc 14ct Gold Black Resin Rollerball and Fountain Pen Boxed Set W Germany
By Montblanc
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Montblanc Black Resin Rollerball and Fountain Pen Set With 14ct Gold Nibs & Presentation Box & Papers, Leather Montblanc Pen Holder 1980's Made & marked as W. Germany on...
Gold Plate
Murano Pink Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear and pink Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measures: He...
Brass
White Rock Quartz Crystal Geode Natural Specimen Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
White Rock Crystal Geode Natural Specimen Sculpture its divided into two parts.
Rock Crystal
Carlo Buffetti Sterling Silver Address Book With Original Box, C. 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Deco style sterling silver address book by Carlo Buffetti, circa 1970. Raised sterling detail with three lapis lazuli beads. Comes with the original yellow box and certificate of...
Sterling Silver
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Deep Pink Enamel-Mounted Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and deep pink guilloche enamel-mounted magnifying glass, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1905, James Scholes -maker. Glass...
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Brass paperweight in the shape of a leaf, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vintage solid brass paperweight depicting a stylized leaf with organic lines. The wavy, textured shape evokes a natural leaf while maintaining a decorative aesthetic typical of 1970s...
Brass
Quality Antique Victorian Staffordshire Greyhound
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Victorian Staffordshire Greyhound inkwell having a greyhound laying on a shaped blue coloured base, hand painted in wonderful blue an...
Ceramic
Porcelain Jewelry Dish Rosenthal Studio-Line by Designer Raymond Peynet
Located in New York, NY
A German white porcelain jewelry dish with whimsical design by designer Raymond Peynet for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Midcentury Modern period, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Dish show...
Porcelain
Pair Antique Staffordshire Porcelain Poodles Dogs Quill Pen Holders 19th Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality highly detailed and glazed quite rare Pair of standing English Porcelain Staffordshire Poodle Dogs modelled as Pen or Quill Holders, third quarter of th...
Porcelain, Pottery
Pen "Must De Cartier Trinity Silver Ballpoint Pen", France By Cartier, 2000s
By Cartier
Located in Rīga, LV
Pen "Must de Cartier Trinity Silver plated Ballpoint Pen", Cartier, France, Paris, 2000s Additional Information: Materials: Metal, silver plating Vintage from the 1900s Supplie...
Metal, Silver
Brass Desk Pen Holder by Günter Kupetz for WMF Germany - Desk Accessory - 1950’s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brass Desk Pen Holder by Günter Kupetz for WMF Germany - Desk Accessory - 1950’s Free form brass bowl, originally used as a pen holder, created by Günter Kupetz. Very elegant for a...
Brass
Vintage 1970s Bvlgari by Kosca Solid Silver & Gold Nib & Bark Finish Ballpoint
By Bulgari
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Title Box: Vintage 1970s BVLGARI by Kosca Solid Silver and Gold Nib & Bark Finish Ballpoint Pen Description Box: A remarkably rare and highly collectible luxury writing instrument f...
Gold Plate, Gold, Silver
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
$1,967Sale Price / set|20% Off
Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Trinity Fountain Pen With Black Body & Cartier Box
Beautiful Sleek Cartier 18K Gold Nib Black Body Trinity Fountain Pen With Box Designed by Cartier and Manufactured by MontBlanc The pen is made from a black composite Pen nib is 18...
Gold, Gold Plate
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
$600Sale Price|20% Off
1960s Catchall in Porcelain "KING EDWARD I" by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1960s A striking and highly collectible mid-century porcelain vide-poche (catch-all tray / trinket dish) designed by Piero Fornasetti in collaboration with Martini & Rossi. Know...
Porcelain
Carl Auböck Model #7250 Polished Brass 'Swing' Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #7250 Polished Brass 'Swing' Vase. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and modern vase is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria....
Brass
Erhard & Sohne - German Arts & Crafts Mahogany & Brass Desk Calendar c1905
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Erhard & Sohne - German Arts & Crafts Desk Calendar c1905. Excellent original patina. Desk calendar made of briar wood (local tree heath) with brass inlay. Rectangular body...
Bronze
$291Sale Price|50% Off
Antique Inkwell, Bronze D´oré, Desk Utensil, Neogotic, circa 1850
Located in Greven, DE
Antique inkwell from gilded brass. France, 1840-1860.
Gold, Brass
Ettore Sottsass / Valentine Typewriter Italy
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A design icon, the Valentine bright red typewriter turned the mundane office object into a work of art, made in Italy by machine manufacturer Olivetti. With a storage case and build ...
Metal
Large Carl Auböck Model #4751 'Paperclip' Brass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4751 'Paperclip' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkst...
Brass
Owl Bronze Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria for Opera Ball 1953
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine made for Opera Ball Vienna, 1953 An elegant early 1950s figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze ...
Bronze
$754Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Louis Lejeune Norwich Terrier Hood Ornament
Located in Huntington, NY
Louis Lejeune Norwich Terrier Hood Ornament Louis Lejeune Mascots adorn the finest European & American Cars. The British Royal Family have, for many years, displayed mascots on ...
Steel
$360 / item
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or ...
Brass
Exquisite Victorian Walnut & Black Leather Campaign Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite Victorian Hand-Crafted Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior With Secret Compartment SLOPE 23 Brass front ...
Brass
Art Deco Geometric Squared Base Chrome & Bakelite Fountain Pen signed Esterbrook
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional Art Deco fountain pen, crafted by Esterbrook in America circa 1935, embodies the sleek geometric design principles of the period...
Chrome
Stylized Starfish Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized starfish sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the un...
Crystal
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Large Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze large inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 6.3...
Bronze
Vintage Abstract Bronze and Black Wood Pleated Sculpture Italy, 1970'S
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage abstract signed Italian sculpture is Mid-Century Modern. It says on the label made in Italy and the signature is Esa Fredrigolli. It is a woman sculptor who was...
Bronze
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
A Vintage Bulldog Magnifying Glass with Brass Surround
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderfully whimsical **vintage bulldog magnifying glass**, featuring a charmingly sculpted bulldog figure and a substantial brass surround. The bulldog is beautifully rendered in...
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.