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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Baroque
Blue and White Dutch Delft Tile with Pikier, Mid 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands
Amsterdam
Circa 1625 – 1650
A blue and white Dutch tile with a decoration of a Dutch soldier from the period of the 80 Years War. This soldier could be a member of t...
Category
1620s Dutch Baroque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, baroque revival
Located in VALENZA, IT
Faithful copy of the writing service by the silversmith Pietro Rubini, Milan c.1775
The inkstand is composed of a shaped tray supported by 4 rocailles feet, modeled along the entire profile by finely embossed and chiselled volutes, leaves and shells.
Above the tray are two ink holders and two pen holders with spiral workmanship and highly embossed vegetable decorations.
A bell in the center of the object rests on a FASTIGIO pierced with flowering vines.
By Fiorentini, Argenterie di Milano - Italy
for ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA
Italian silverware...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
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...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Art Deco Brass Birdseye Maple Marquetry Desk Letter Holder.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Art Deco French Brass Birdseye Maple Marquetry Desk Letter Holder.
Art Deco, circa 1950s wood inlaid desk letter holder in the style of Jean-Michel Frank; he was an inspired designe...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Set of Two Handcrafted Silver Plate Scissors with Steel Blade, Sweden
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful silver plated set off two Scissors, vintage Sweden. Nice addition to every table. Some patina, but this is old-age.
Found at an Estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Inkstand 272
Located in Hellerup, DK
A rare early and large Georg Jensen sterling silver Inkstand, design #272 by Johan Rohde in 1918.
This exceptional piece features a rectangular raised base with a hand-chased scroll edge border of Nordic design. The set includes a pair of matching ink wells along with a third column well, designed to hold desk utensils. All three wells are fitted with hinged lids for both elegance and practicality.
The inkstand also includes two opposing small square trays with removable lids, each adorned with a single floral bud motif. Completing the set is the original Georg Jensen sterling silver ink well pen...
Category
1910s Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10.13"W x 3.13"D x 0.38"H
Good original...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Aviation Interest Chrome and Frosted Glass Zeppelin Table Lamp
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Art Deco Aviation Interest Chrome And Frosted Glass Table Lamp
Modelled as a German Zeppelin AirCraft with a moulded frosted glass shade, on a chrome plated stand.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Large Signed Oval Marble Ashtray or Centerpiece With Two-Bronze Eagles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large signed oval marble ashtray or centerpiece with two-bronze eagles
Signed "Jos Pallenberg" on the base of the eagle, Joseph Franz Pallenberg (Germany 1882-1946).
Category
Early 19th Century German Art Deco Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Karl Palda Original, Art Deco Czech Black Enamel Perfume Atomiser Bottle
By Karl Palda
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb Karl Palda Art Deco large crystal perfume atomiser from the 1930s
An impressive round clear flask with bold, black enamel geometric lines in excellent condition
Original silk ...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Art Deco French Max Leverrier Bronze Hunting Scene Desk Paper Clip, circa 1930
Located in Pearland, TX
A fabulous 1930s French bronze paper clip holder by renowned French sculptor, Max Le Verrier (1891-1973), a Pioneer within the Parisian Art Deco move...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Large Art Deco Chrome Free Standing Picture Frame, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish and totally original 1930s Art Deco chrome picture frame, totally authentic and in great condition. Free standing with hardboard backing and glass front. A real must for...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Christian Thomsen, Royal Copenhagen Art Nouveau 1923 Foraging Cockerel #1127
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Christian Thomsen for Royal Copenhagen porcelain foraging cockerel figurine.
Created in 1923, a classic collectible piece
Signed and Numbered 1127
circa 1923
Measures: height 4 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Gustave Keller Paris Cigarette / Cigar Root Box Desk Smokers Set, France 1930´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Gustave Keller Paris Cigarette / Cigar root box desk smokers set. France 1930´s.
The box can be used for cigarettes and for cigars, as it has two little ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver
French Bulldog Bronze Desk Paperweight / Ashtray , Austria, 1920´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
French bulldog bronze figure / sculpture desk paperweight Ashtray - Austria 1920´s.
Marked Austria. Very nice conditions. Bronze is mounted over a marble base.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Elias Pewter and Sterling Airplane Letter Opener 1991
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elias Pewter and Sterling Art Deco or Streamline Style Airplane Letter Opener. Dated 1991 on back. Nice condition and great styling!
Category
1990s American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Pewter
Blue and White Dutch Delft Tile: Vase with flowers, 17th Century
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
The Netherlands
Circa 1620 – 1640
A blue and white Dutch tile with the decoration of a vase with flowers.
The scene is painted within a cartouche with a Wanli corner design, inspire...
Category
1630s Dutch Baroque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
19th Century Gilt Bronze Inkwell Stand Set with Ink Blotter and Candleholder
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Portuguese Baroque style solid gilt bronze desk set of double inkwell Stand, ink blotter and candleholder, Portugal 1870-1880 All three pieces richly decorated with foliage features,...
Category
Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Dunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Boxed Fountain Pen With Engine Turned Decoration
By Dunhill
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Dunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Fountain Pen With An Engine Turned Decoration With Enamel Inset Clip With Original Grey Dunhill Box
Ideal present for Father's Day, Christmas etc.
Category
20th Century Swiss Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel
Art Deco Eastman Kodak Jiffy Kodak Six-20 Strut Folding Camera Rochester NY 30's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Lovely Little Art Deco Kodak Eastman Jiffy Six-20 Folding Rollfilm Camera
Styled by Walter Dorwin Teague Made in Rochester NY, USA between 1933 & 1937
Takes 620 roll film
Classi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & crafts period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 8.75"W x 2.63"D x ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Ronson USA 1934 Art Deco Black Lacquered Rondette Desk Lighter in Stainless Stee
Located in Miami, FL
A stainless steel lighter designed by Ronson.
Very beautiful desk Rondette lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1934. This is a very unusual lighter designed with wonderful geometric patterns and crafted in solid steel with a central round body set upon two smaller cylindrical feet. Embellished with black lacquer, creating a great contrast with the base polished steel. Extremely well made and solid construction with very nice care and attention to all details. This surely is a very decorative piece and a great conversation item in gorgeous and exceptional preserved condition.
Weight: 104.9 Grams, (67.24 Dwt).
Measurements: 66 mm by 21 mm by 82 mm (2.59 x 0.83 x 3.23 Inches).
Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "RONSON US PAT.RE.NO.19023 RONSON RONDETTE ART METAL WKS INC NEWARK NJ US PAT.RE.NO.19023".
The Ronson lighter company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis Vincent Aronson and Leopold Herzig, in Newark, New Jersey. Louis V. Aronson was a huge creative driving force for the company; and, with a few business adjustments, including the addition of Alexander...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Piscine Stoneware Vase Applied Silver, Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg #1029
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb bijou vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden from the Argenta collection.
Decorated with a stylised fish of applied silver on mottled green stoneware.
Circa 1930's
Ba...
Category
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Art Deco Chinoiserie Ormolu Carved Hardstone- Quartz Inkwell by Edward Farmer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Deco Chinoiserie Ormolu Carved Hardstone-Quartz Inkwell by Edward Farmer
USA, circa 1925
This exquisite Art Deco Chinoiserie inkwell is attributed to the workshop of Edward Fa...
Category
20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Ormolu
Art Deco Kodak No 2 Hawkette Marbled Bakelite 120 Roll Film Strut Folding Camera
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Art Deco Kodak No 2 Hawkette Marbled Bakelite 120 Roll Film Strut Folding Camera With Meniscus Lens & Rotary Shutter Made in the UK 1930's
Constructed from brown bakelite moulded co...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Just Andersen 1930s Danish Pewter Elaphant Book End
Located in New York, NY
One 1930s Danish Art Deco pewter elephant bookend by sculptor, Just Andersen.
Category
1930s Danish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
White 1930s Glamour Bakelite Telephone by Bell Systems
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage white bakelite 1930s glamor telephone made by Bell Systems for the Western Electric company.
This phone is present in many Hollywood Glamor fi...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
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...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Macassar, Chrome and Lucite Desk Accessory Letter Holder, circa 1940
Located in Atlanta, GA
This impressive Art Deco modernist desk accessory or letter holder was crafted in France in the late 1940s. This sleek, geometric-shaped mail rack has a Macassar wood main body, chro...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome, Metal
Addison Model 5 Butterscotch and Maroon Catalin Tube Radio, 1940
Located in Hampstead, QC
In 1939, Toronto-based Addison Industries Ltd., a Canadian company, was founded focussing on the production of commercial tube radios. The Model 5 “Big Addison” series, featured her...
Category
1940s Canadian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
French Art Deco Chrome Table Lamp Inset with Purple Stained Glass Panels, 1930s
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Original French Art Deco Chrome Table or Desk Lamp Inset With Purple Stained Glass Panels & Boom Arm Pivotable Shade - 1930s
Has been Pat Teste...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Portable Typewriter Continental 340, Germany 1937
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany. Production in the years 1931-1940
Made of metal, steel, chrome,
Polished
Good original condition, functional.
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Large Antique English Oak Perpetual Desk Calendar, c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome good sized perpetual calendar in an attractive solid golden oak.
The keys to the side are used to forward and return the day, date and month on the rollers, protected b...
Category
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
Black Glass Ink Well with Brass Accents, Crystal Wells and Dipping Pen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning Black Glass ink well with two lidded Crystal ink wells. The piece is wonderful and in very good condition. Also rare, both crystal wells are chip free and the piece has the original dipping pen...
Category
20th Century European Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Cast Metal Sculpture of a Greyhound Dog
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful cast metal bronze greyhound dog sculpture.
An elegant, detailed cast sculpture depicting a greyhound dog..
Sculptures depicting a greyhound dog.
Made with the fusion sys...
Category
1990s American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Five Piece Faux Crocodile and Silver Gentleman's Set by Barrett & Thompson 1922
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Stylish Set of 5 Items of Sterling Silver & Faux Crocodile Brown Leather Gentleman's Accessories by English Silversmiths "Barrett & Thompson" Hallmarked in London 1922
Set includes
Two Flat Wallets
A Pocket Photo Frame...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Cartier Set of 10 Panther Design Card and Envelop Luxury Season's Greetings
By Cartier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Luxury Cartier set of 10 Cards and Envelopes with the Iconic Cartier Panther Jewelry Design.
Large Cartier Panthere Season's Greetings, Joyeuses Fetes Stationary Cards.
Authentic Lux...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
"Crabs and Anemone", Striking Art Deco Paperweight, Enameled Bronze
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Entirely striking and original, this bronze paperweight features two crabs framed by enameled anemone and bits of sea and sand, all highly stylized in the Art Deco manner, and everyt...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1940s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Draughtsman's Rolling Ruler, English, Cartographer's Instrument, Stanley
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique draughtsman's rolling ruler. An English, nitrided bronze cartographer's instrument by Stanley of London, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
Wonderful c...
Category
Late 19th Century British Art Deco Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Arts & Crafts Pair of Handcrafted Metal Bookends with Meaningful Symbolic Leaves
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful pair of hand-crafted, early 20th century bookends.
With the symbolic meaning of leafs ranging from hope, renewal, revival, fertility and growth to decay, sadness and even ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Inkwell Vienna, circa 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco inkwell Vienna, circa 1920s
Original condition.
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Nickel
Art Deco Lacquered Calendar Desk Set, Two Inkwells With Retractable Lids 1930's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Art Deco 1930's Monochrome Desk Set.
Befit With Two Engine Turned Inkwells with one Glass Lining and Lids That Retract. Fixed Pen Tidy and A Central Calendar.
With A Green ...
Category
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Art Deco French Enameled Silver Desk Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This enameled silver desk clock is unsigned, so a specific maker cannot be identified, but the case was made in France, and the movement in Switzerland in the period and style of Art Deco. The silver content of the case has not been tested, but is believed to be Continental or .800 or just under .925 sterling, The front of the clock is ornately enameled with raised bright red flowers on each corner with contrasting black and red geometric panels with green accents, which are duplicated on the sides. The hinged back opens to gain access to the winding mechanism and the high grade Swiss movement has been professionally serviced and works well. Although barely visible, the clock is stamped on the bottom with a French...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Brass
Thorkild Olsen Royal Copenhagen Crackle Glaze Lidded Jar Gilded Acorn Decoration
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Thorkild Olsen for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, delightful porcelain grey crackle glaze lidded jar
Decorated with dark terracotta and brown banding with gilded acorn decoration to lid...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Delco Art Deco 1941 Vintage Bakelite R 1171 Tube Radio in Perfect Condition
Located in Miami, FL
An Art Deco tube radio designed by Delco.
Here we are offering an absolutely stunning 1941 Delco model R-1171 tabletop tube radio. Featuring a gorgeous dark...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
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...
Category
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Inkwell, Glazed Ceramic, Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 17th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Inkwell. Glazed ceramic. Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 17th century.
Inkwell or spice rack with a square shaped hole that is made of glazed ceram...
Category
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Art Deco centerpiece alpaca with original glass around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco centerpiece alpaca with original glass around 1920s
Alpaca polished
Original glass
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Fratelli Toso Murano Antique Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Cabinet Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown Millefiori Murrina flower mosaic Italian art glass decorative ornate handle cabinet vase / pitcher. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, circa 1910-1930. The vase has an early design and unusual white backgrounds on the murrines. The vase has a scramble / all over design with a rainbow of colors in the flower designs. It has very large size murrines, with some unusual designs, including bullseye and a large rainbow...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Glazed Porcelain Leopard Sculpture
By Capodimonte
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Italian Mid-Century porcelain sculpture of a leopard, mid-stride, with open mouth.
Italian hand-painted glazed porcelain standing leopard.
M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Art Deco English Sterling Silver Ink Desk Inkstand Desk Set London, 1910
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of an English Sterling Silver Art Deco Period Embossed twin ink bottle desk standish, complete with all its accessories to include a pair of removable silver mounted...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Large & Impressive Hand-Carved Wooden Pair of Fighting Ram Sculpture Bookends
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and good quality carved ram bookends.
Anyone who has ever witnessed two rams taking each other on in a battle for dominance, knows the amount of force that goes into these f...
Category
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Art Deco French Bronze Sculpture of a Sphinx, Signed C. Charles
By C. Charles
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco French Bronze Sculpture of a Sphinx. Signed C. Charles
Bronze sculpture of the stone Sphinx of Giza in Egypt, on a rectangular marble base.
Signed C. Charles and Stamped F...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Art Deco Chrome Free Standing Picture Frame, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this very stylish and authentic Art Deco chrome picture frame which free standing on a chrome easel backing. Great size for displaying your photographs. Sta...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Art Deco Mid-20 Century Airplane Fighter over the World, Paperweight, 1930s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco / mid-20 century airplane fighter over the world paperweight, 1930s
aluminium Art Deco / streamlined aviation paperweight. Lovely desk size. A perfect gift.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Blotter Ends
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, early 20...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Restored Typewriter/ Remington Portable, USA, 1910s
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional.
The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the ag...
Category
1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Antique, New and Vintage Desk Accessories
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.