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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Style: Victorian
19th Century English Papier Mache & Mother of Pearl Folio Desk Blotter
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique 19th-Century English black lacquer papier mâché folio or desk blotter. This fine folio has a hand painted floral design with inlaid mother of pearl details and a gil...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Paper

Carl Auböck Bookends
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of bookends designed by Carl Auböck.
Category

1950s European Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Cordage Gauge Callipers, English, Rope, Cable Measure, Rabone, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique cordage gauge callipers. An English, boxwood and brass rope or cable measure by J. Rabone, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Two fascinati...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Inkwell Tatum’s Standard Crystal Well 3 Pen Quill Rests Hinged Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Ink Well Tatum’s Standard, crystal well, 3 pen quill rests, hinged lid. This piece is cast iron and crystal. It is a beauty!
Category

20th Century American Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Iron

English Antique Ink Eraser/Letter Opener with Sterling Handle
Located in Sheffield, MA
Although the purpose was once for "erasing" ink, this antique English piece can very well be used as a letter opener. It probably did serve a dual purpose way back when. The eraser...
Category

1880s English Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Steel

Vintage Business Card Holder, Stand in Brass, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rather practical 1950s British novelty item. Intended for displaying/presenting business cards on your office desk or in your shop. Its made entirely f...
Category

1950s European Victorian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rare English Victorian Silver Plated Novelty Inkwell - Reg. 1856
Located in Bath, GB
A rare Victorian silver plated novelty inkwell fashioned in the form of a barrel on stand, in turn standing on a brick paving; beautiful detail such as...
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Late 19thC Spelter Ink Stand Centered with a Gun Dog
Located in Altrincham, GB
Late 19thC spelter ink stand Centred with a Gun Dog with pheasant in its mouth, flanked by glass inkwells in a shaped base c1890 Measures: 10" W x 5" D x 5" H.
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Spelter

Bois Durci Ink Stand
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This large Bois Durci ink stand features an intricately moulded base, upon which sit two glass inkwells and a central urn shaped container. The glass inkwel...
Category

1880s French High Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ebony

Rare Mammoth English Victorian Novelty Inkwell, Owl with Glass Eyes C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...
Category

1880s British Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Pair of Antique Parallel Rulers, English, Coromandel, Draughtsman's Instrument
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique parallel rulers. An English, coromandel and brass articulated draughtsman's instrument, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Charming 18" typ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Papper Basket Designed and Manufactured by Laurids Lønborg in Denmark, 1950s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Papper basket designed and manufactured by Laurids Lønnborg in Denmark. Made during the 1950s. Made from rattan and hand weaved cane. Good vintage condition with few signs of age rel...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Cane, Rattan

Black Forest Carved Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, with Pen Tray, Swiss, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwell, the dogs front paws mounted on a naturalistically carved hollowed tree forming the pen tray, Brienz, Switzerland ca. 1880. *Jay Arenski, et al, quotes Swiss Poet Heinrich Federer, who said in his memoirs, "Woodcarving brought riches to the village [of Brienz]. It became all the fashion and no Englishman left the Bernese Highlands without having seen the Giessbach, having eaten a fat roasted eel, and having bought a Brienz woodcarving." Arenski continues, "Thus, as the tourist industry flourished and thrived, so did the carvers, selling their wares to the well-heeled visitors." This fashion had been set in motion by Queen Victoria's visit to the area in April 1868, and by her subsequent inspiration to build a Swiss chalet at Osborne House and fill it with Black Forest Swiss carvings...
Category

1880s Swiss Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Softwood

Victorian Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass match striker, an addition to our ornamen...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique English Wood & Brass Travelling Lap Desk and Document Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lap desk and document box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1825 and done in the period...
Category

Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Equestrian / Jockey CAP Inkstand / Inkwell, C.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome Horseshoe shaped inkstand, the base made from solid English Oak mounted with a silver plated horseshoe and a square gallery to secure the glass inkwell. The glass inkwell is topped with a hinged brass lid in the form of a Jockey's cap with a silver plated peak, slight wear to edge. There is a support for a dip pen...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Mid 19th Century Inkwell in the Form of a Pocket Globe
Located in London, GB
A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Medium Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nordic. The Danish-manufactured Twirling Birds...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Victorian Slate Paperweight of Hand style of Odd Fellows Hands Offs Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful very old professional office relic with a cheeky message; Hands off! Private papers. Reminiscent of the odd fellows Victorian Era designs.
Category

1890s American Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Slate

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand / Inkwell / Desk Tidy 1871
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Victorian Solid Silver Inkstand with two glass lined Inkwells with hinged lids. The base of the inkstand has a classic Greek Key pattern around the sides and rows of chased patterning on the body connected with ornate stylised acanthus leaves. The Inkwell stands on four shaped feet. Made in Sheffield, England in 1871 by James Dixon & Sons. Approx. Weight (Silver Only) - 1130g / 36.33oz Approx. Length - 32.4cm Approx. Width - 19.4cm This Inkstand has full English Hallmarks. This Victorian Inkstand...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Danish Modern Solid Rosewood Perpetual Desk Calendar
Located in San Diego, CA
Handcrafted unique rare perpetual calendar circa 1950's solid rosewood with gold numbers days and months, great design and craftsmanship some of the lettering it's faded due to age b...
Category

20th Century North American Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Rosewood

Antique English Figural / Novelty Ostrich Inkwell C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome and substantial novelty inkwell in the form of a running Ostrich standing on an oval shaped base with a naturalistic base incorporating two "rocks" acting as a pen rest. I...
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian 1898 Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand by John Grinsell & Sons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver fox inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular form. This inkstand is fitted with a gallery, embellished with impressive pierced and applied scrolling foliate ornamentation. The shaped, incurved rims of the body and anterior rim of the sterling silver inkstand are ornamented with a paralleling applied gadroon decorated border. The surface of the fox silver inkstand incorporates a concave oval pen receiver. The body of the inkstand incorporates two ink bottle receivers flanking a rectangular stamp box. The impressive hallmarked ink bottles each have a tapering cylindrical form and are embellished with further pierced scrolling foliate ornamentation; these ink bottles secure to the stand with a screw fitment to the underside. Each ink bottle is fitted with a plain domed hinged cover and opens to allow access to the original glass liner. The central sterling silver stamp box...
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century Victorian Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell, c.1860
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a growling bulldog with realistic glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper buckle. The head is hing...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Victorian Letter Holder
Located in Forney, TX
An English Victorian black and gilt decorated mother-of-pearl and papier mâché stationary letter / card holder or desk stand with stunning, exceptionally executed city scape hand pai...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Other

Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda, Sculpture / Paper Weight in Clear Art Glass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda. Sculpture / paper weight in clear mouth-blown art glass with inlaid bubbles. Swedish design, 1970/80s. Measures: 11 x 7.5 cm. In excellent condition. ...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

English Victorian Period 19th Century Brown Leather Case with Button Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique English Victorian period leather case and horseshoe button box from the 19th century, with eleven buttons. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, this leather set features a light brown pouch...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Tooled Red Burgundy Leather Writing Surface Desk Insert Pad
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique tooled red or burgundy leather desk / table writing surface pad. Purchased in London in the 1980s.  Measures: 41" x 65".     
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Lovely 19th Century Antique Italian Venus De Milo Grand Tour Bronze Statue
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning late 19th century Italian grand tour Venus De Milo statue A very good looking and decorative piec...
Category

19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has a naturalistic-shaped form. The surface of the stand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral ornamentation, incorporating a scroll bordered cartouche bearing the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an elephant's head. The stand is further ornamented with scrolling designs encompassing an oval recess, composing a pen well. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand...
Category

1840s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Danish Oak Desk Office Organizer with Shelves
Located in New York, NY
A Danish modern, Scandinavian Modern, Mid-Century Modern blonde oak wood desk, office, library, etc., organizer with book space and paper/mail/letter tray holder shelf areas by Pedersen & Hansen, circa late-20th century, Denmark. Three (3) horizontal and three (3) vertical storage...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Oak

Fine Antique Victorian Marble & Brass Roman Grand Tour Statue Columns Pillars
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable pair of original Victorian Marble & Brass Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns. A wonderful original pair, these are desk sized and very collectable, these Roman pillars...
Category

19th Century European Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Large Antique Ink Well, English, Crystal Glass, Desk, Mid-19th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique ink well. An English, crystal glass, desk ink well dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1850. Larger than most at 13 cm, 5 i...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Cut Glass

19th Century Victorian Gilt Bronze Leaf Trinket Dish with Sparrow and Beetles
Located in Haarlem, NL
Late Victorian or Aesthetic Movement gilt bronze trinket dish or vide poche or calling card dish. With a little detailed sparrow on the branche an...
Category

Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, Victorian Solid Silver Inkstand, Robert Hennell, c.1850
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th Century Victorian silver large lidded inkstand, of rectangular casket form, with a hindged lid, engraved with Rococo scrolls and foleage, with vacant cartooches, resting on four...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Naturalistic Victorian Sterling Silver Ink Stand, Charles & George Fox, 1846
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1846 by Charles & George Fox, this charming, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver ink stand, features an ornate scroll ...
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

American Victorian Walnut Cased Standing Magnifying Glass
Located in Hudson, NY
This large American Victorian standing magnifying glass is encased in a carved and turned walnut frame and is adjustable to height with a wooden screw set device. Made circa 1880 the...
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique Grand Tour Micro-Mosaic Paperweight with Vatican Vignettes
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Grant Tour micro-mosaic paperweight is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Italy, or possibly the Vatican City, and dating to approximately 1880 and done in t...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Slate

Gilt Bronze, Pearl and Enamel Singing Bird Box by Bontems, circa 1890
Located in London, GB
A stunning gilt bronze and seed pearl singing bird box by Bontems of Paris - CIRCA 1890. The bird rises from beneath the enamal oval lid and is sure to delight!
Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund Chamotte Container / Inkwell
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rörstrand Gunnar Nylund Chamotte container / inkwell. Measures 15.5 cm. x 12 cm. x 5 cm. Beautiful turquoise glaze. Marked. In perfect condi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Glass Inkstand / Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form. This Victorian inkstand...
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid 19th Century Inkwell in the Form of a Pocket Globe
Located in London, GB
A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Chalcedony Pin Cushion
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver pin cushion modelled in the form of a shoe made by Adie & Lovekin Ltd; an addition to our animal related silverware collection. This exceptional antique sterling silver pin cushion...
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

English 19th Century Victorian Shoe Care Set with Original Leather Case
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique English Victorian period shoe care set from the 19th century, with four brushes and original leather case. Created in England during the reign of ...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Other

Antique Mobbs & Lewis Ltd Wooden English Shoe Lasts Womens Heel, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mobbs & Lewis Ltd Wooden English shoe lasts women's heel - a Pair. Item features original antique wooden shoe lasts, repurposed form w...
Category

19th Century American Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Small Twirling Bird Polished Wood Sculpture by Jakob Hermann for Warm Nordic
Located in Viby J, DK
Unique rotating wooden birds, created in the 1950s by the Danish furniture designer and true artist, Jacob Hermann and now being manufactured by Warm Nordic. The Danish-manufactured Twirling Birds...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

A Set of Two Scottish Banded Agate Table Seals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Jewels for your desk or table.......A Pair of antique semi-precious Scottish banded agate wax seals for sealing letters. They are hand carved in natural s...
Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Cranberry Glass Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Victorian English sterling silver and red cranberry glass inkwell; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver inkwell has a circular shaped domed form. The body of this exceptional antique inkwell is embellished with impressive pierced and embossed scrolling leaf decoration, accented with pensile, baluster style bead motifs. The ornamentation to the body incorporates five oval cartouches; four are ornamented with an embossed male profile: two bearded males and two in a soldier's helmet. The cartouche to the anterior surface of the inkwell features the contemporary engraved crest of a stag encompassed with a garter and the motto 'God and my Honour'. The intricate sterling silver body of the inkwell incorporates five conical shaped pen receivers. The swept waisted upper portion of this antique inkwell is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, ornamented with engraved simplified leaf decoration. The cover is surmounted with an impressive embossed three-dimensional bust of a male figure in robes. This antique inkwell retains the original and substantial red cranberry glass ink bottle liner, with a cut glass star motif to the underside; the cranberry glass liner is highly desirable. This exceptional silver and glass inkwell is supported by five swept feet, ornamented with a continuation of scrolling leaf and circular motif decoration from the body. This exceptional example of Victorian silverware, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell II, is the finest example of its type Condition This antique ink bottle...
Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian Paper Mache Lacquered Hand Painted Letter Stand
Located in Suffolk, GB
Victorian lacquered paper mâché hand painted letter stand with pretty painted blossom decorated and gilt highlights on a black lacquer background. Perf...
Category

1850s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Antique Sterling Silver Victorian Desk Stand Fluid Thermometer by H. Matthews
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique Victorian thermometer. The front is made of sterling silver. This is marked with the hallmarks of Birmingham 1887 (year letter N) and the maker H. Matthews. This En...
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Card Holder with Westie Dogs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage cast iron card with a pair of Westie terriers in service as greeters.
Category

20th Century English Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Set of Swedish Ahus Glass Paperweights, Signed Studio Åhus 1992 HD-AZ
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
2 Modern Swedish Åhus glass paperweights. The signed paperweights are frosted glass with colorful interior and frosted glass surface. The larger pie...
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

1870 T. Elkington Silver Plated Victorian British Inkwell
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Amazing silver plated inkwell by T. Elkington, marked on the bottom, good conditions overall, original glass.
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century Victorian Malachite and Ormolu-Mounted Inkwell
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique Victorian ormolu and malachite mounted inkwell, circa 1870 in date. The ormolu inkwell has a decorative inset turquoise cabochon gemstone with a chain ...
Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Stunning Antique circa 1860 Hand Carved English Oak Recumbent Lion Statue
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning recumbent Lion carved statue on plinth base A very good looking well made and decorative piece, its hand carved from one piece on ...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Oak

19th Century Austro-Hungarian Bronze Pen Wipe in the Form of a Lizard
Located in London, GB
A fantastic and very large pen wipe in the form of a lizard, beautifully cast in bronze the lizard has inset glass eyes.
Category

1890s Austrian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality Antique Victorian French Freestanding Inlaid Boulle Desk Set
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine quality antique Victorian French freestanding inlaid boulle desk set having a quality ornate shaped brass handle flanked by a pair of original cut glass inkwells with inlaid bou...
Category

1850s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

English Victorian Period 19th Century Porcelain Inkwell with Brass Putto Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Victorian period porcelain and brass inkwell from the 19th century, with putto motif. Created in England during the Victorian era, this inkwell features a blue porcelain base adorned with satyrs and foliage motifs, topped with a handsome brass putto with a garland of roses wrapped around his shoulders. With its finely executed décor and lovely patina, this Victorian porcelain and brass 19th century...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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.

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