Mid-century Design Phone Tesla, 1960's.
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
Tesla Manufacturer Made in Czechoslovakia Fully Functional Beautiful Decoration Good Original condition
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Metal
Mid-century Design Phone Tesla, 1960's.
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
Tesla Manufacturer Made in Czechoslovakia Fully Functional Beautiful Decoration Good Original condition
Metal
A bronze paper knife letter opener depicting a dachshund head, Austria 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
The paper knife or letter opener was originally used for cutting open the pages of hand-produced books where the folding of the printed sheets creates some closed edges that require ...
Bronze
David Rosales Gemstone Pen Southwest Native American Lapis Turquoise Ruby
Located in Somis, CA
An exceptionally handsome ballpoint pen, attributed to the celebrated Native American jewelry designer David Rosales, renowned for his intricate gemstone inlay work and distinctive S...
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Multi-gemstone, Metal
Italian Craftsmanship Hand Painted Porcelain Tray Blue and Gold Colors
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Italian craftsmanship pocket tray decorated with 4 different horses gold and blue border. Entirely made in Florence by our master craftsmen. Artecornici design produces hand col...
Porcelain
Royal Doulton The Mendicant Figurine, Hand-Painted Porcelain, 1939
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Royal Doulton The Mendicant, Moroccan figurine of a man wearing a turban and playing a tamburine. High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisi...
Porcelain
Vintage Solingen German Desk Scissors & Letter Opener Set with Red Leather Case
Located in San Diego, CA
A finely crafted vintage desk set from Solingen, Germany, comprising a pair of precision steel scissors and a matching letter opener, housed in its original red leather sleeve. Known...
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Mid-century Tesla Design Phone, Czechoslovakia, 1983.
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
Telephone by TESLA, made in the 1980's. Made of Plastic and Metal. Beautiful decoration. Original condition.
Metal
Late 19th C Effigy of Mephistopheles on a Bronze Dresser Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th C Effigy of Mephistopheles on a bronze dresser tray. Leaning into the tray with a contemplative pose and conniving expression. Best known for his role in Faust. Caught in h...
Bronze
Gucci Maple Wood Tidy Tray, Mid-Century Modern, Italy, 1970s Design
By Gucci
Located in Naples, IT
Gucci maple wood desk accessory or tidy tray, original, 1970s.
Wood
19th Century French Art Nouveau Brass and Bone Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, this lovely Brass and bone art nouveau letter opener has a beautiful patina that will give your desk or work space a new sense of sophistic...
Brass
$10,875Sale Price / set|25% Off
HERMES PARIS 1935 Art-Deco Round Box And Trays Desk Set In .950 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
A five-pieces desk set designed by Hermès Paris. This is a very rare desk-set created in Paris France by the luxury house of Hermès, during the art-deco period back in 1930. The fan...
Sterling Silver, Silver
1950's Original Large French Metal Shop Signage Letters - Letter P
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1950's Original Large French Metal Shop Signage Letters. We recently salvaged a signage company on the west coast of France and sourced a large batch of amazing original signage lett...
Metal
Venetian Grotto Style Book Stand
Located in East Hampton, NY
Early 19th century book stand in carved wood, gilded and painted in the Venetian style..... grotto style book rest.
Wood
English Arts & Crafts Mahogany and Brass Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Arts & Crafts (Gothic Revival-style) mahogany and brass trimmed double inkwell with glass jewels and drawer.
Brass
Vintage Boeing Air Plane Desk Ornament or Paperweight
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A late 1970s model of a Boeing Air Plane. Probably a Jumbo Jet - Type 747 that was launched in 1969. The plane itself is made from chrome-plated brass and the wheels from another kin...
Aluminum, Brass
William McDonald for Rookwood Pottery Collie Dog Bookends, circa 1926
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This handsome pair of American art pottery bookends were designed by William McDonald, (1864-1931) for acclaimed Rookwood Pottery of Cincinnati, Ohio. The bookends have been made in the form of Rough...
Pottery
Erotic / Nude Women Bronze Sculpture Table Bell Push, Austria, 1900´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Erotic / nude women bronze sculpture table bell push - Austria 1900´s Talk about hard to find items! This impossible to believe bell push is the only erotic bell push we have ever se...
Bronze
Vintage Coastal Woven Palm Beach Regency Tissue Box
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage coastal white wicker tissue box. Hand woven wicker and wooden bead accents. Has been repainted and top coated with lacquer. 10.5" wide 6" deep 3.5" tall
Wicker
Carl Auböck Paperweight #4751-1 Paperclip, Austria
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Huge #4751-1 paperweight in the shape of a paperclip, Austria. New.
Brass
1950's Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Insulator Paperweight, Black & Gold
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage Piero Fornasetti porcelain insulator measurement paperweight is gold with a black background. Italian through and through. It is titl...
Gold
Set of 3, Lavender, Cedar, Grapefruit, Hand-Poured Soap, Erode by UMÉ Studio
By UMÉ Studio
Located in Oakland, CA
Hand-poured in Pinole Valley, CA in collaboration with Tonic Naturals Luscious soap and unique shapes, form and function work together to add a different kind of beauty to the dai...
Soapstone
$2,200
Hermes Tape Dispenser
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic vintage Hermès tape dispenser in silver with a brass belt buckle detail. Hermès PARIS, Made In France stamped on outer rim. Dispenser has a lid whi...
Metal
Italian Curved Glass and Metal Magazine Holder, FIAM, 1980s
Located in Meda, MB
1980s magazine holder produced in Italy by FIAM. It is completely in curved and tempered glass and painted metal.
Metal
A British Made Ensign Selfix 16-20 Strut Folding Roll Medium Format Film Camera
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A British Made Ensign Selfix 16-20 Strut Folding 120 Roll Film Camera With An Ensar Anastigmat 75mm F4.5 Fixed Lens With Epsilon Shutter & A Watameter Accessory Rangefinder "The Rolls Royce of Rangefinders" The first 16-20 model dates back from 1950. In 1951 there was a second version, and a third one in 1953 Ensign Selfix 16-20 specs200 4 speed Epsilon shutter 75 mm Ensar lens f/4.5 to f/22 Flash sync socket Cable release socket Tripod bush on bottom of camera and on lens...
Metal
Infinity Design Bullecante Glass Bubble Balls or Bookends Pair of Labeled
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of mesmerizing glass bubble/ bullecante balls have an infinity design. They have a label on the bottom that says Tani Sun Designer with SPIIS 5976. They can be glass sculpt...
Glass
English Victorian Brass and Crystal Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass and crystal shell shaped inkwell with coral design details.
Crystal, Brass
Art Nouveau Pierced Brass Folding Book Slide A very attractive piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Art Nouveau Pierced Brass Folding Book Slide A very attractive piece with decorative brass ends which both fold flat and extend to hold more books securely The Slide is 6” high and...
Brass
$1,421Sale Price|25% Off
Ernest Cambeau Paris 1920 Art Deco Box .950 Sterling Silver with Ceylon Sapphire
By Ernest Combeau
Located in Miami, FL
A hinged box designed by Ernest Cambeau. A beautiful hinged box, created in Paris France by the silversmith Ernest Cambeau, back in the 1920. This box has been crafted in a cushio...
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930 Art Deco Macassar Wood & Bone Detail Handmade 5 Piece Desk Ink Set France
Located in Miami, FL
Circa 1930s Art Deco elegant 5 pieces ink desk set, desk accessories, made out of Macassar Wood and edged with off white Bone details. Made in France, circa 1...
Brass
$455Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Italian Ashtray and Perpetual Calendar in the Style of Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Roma, IT
it is an object from other times, not only because it was produced more than sixty years ago but because the calendar, with the advent of technology, is an object that was previously in disuse. This Calendar, which can be dated between the 1950s and 1960s, has the particularity of never "expiring" and of being, as the name suggests, Perpetual. There is no year but only days and months which, printed on rolled paper, can be changed indefinitely thanks to those little black knobs. Certainly produced in Italy, this vintage table calendar...
Chrome
A Charming Victorian Postcard or Stationary Stand, South Coast This is a very a
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Charming Victorian Postcard or Stationary Stand, South Coast This is a very attractive piece, the box is made walnut and is sign written with local advertisements The cabinet has...
Wood
Pen Holder in Prestigious Genuine Leather RITLUX - 11 x 10 cm
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The Ritlux Prestigious Genuine Leather Pen Holder is an accessory of the LIMAC Design® Class line, for the Office and meeting rooms. This essential desk accessory with an original an...
Leather
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4.75" H x 11.5" W x 6.25" D.
Marble, Bronze
$535Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Scrambled Glass Paperweight, New England Glass Co., 1852
By New England Glass Company
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine example of a scrambled Glass Paperweight by the New England Glass Company, dating to 1852. The weight includes latticinio twists and vari...
Glass
Decorative Paperweights '8' in Black / White / Red Terrazzo
By Bentu Design
Located in Paris, IDF
'8' paperweights in terrazzo (Black / white / red). Brass detail. Set of three pieces. Measures: 8.3 x 6 x 6 cm Bentu design furniture and lightings derive its uniqueness fro...
Brass
Vintage Handwrought Three Metal Signed Copper, Brass and Silver-Plate Small Bowl
Located in North Miami, FL
This Mid-Century Modern vintage handwrought Mexican 3 metal bowl is sliced in metals like a pie. Brass, copper and silver-plate. it has copper footed 3 ball feet. It was professional...
Silver Plate, Brass, Copper
Agresti La Teca Del Tempo Black Watch Box in Polished Ebony
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 15 watches in polished ebony.
Ebony
$4,640Sale Price|53% Off
French Chinoiserie Turquoise-Blue Porcelain Encrier Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
The underside of the cherry-blossom decorated palanquin forming the shade over the court figure with phoenix resting on the gilt-bronze mounted carton Pierre panel.
Ormolu
Set of 4 pcs Controlled Bubbles Clear Glass Paperweights
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Set of 4 vintage art glass controlled bubbles in clear glass, 4”-3”. Collectible and decorative.
Art Glass
6” Large Vintage Controlled Bubble Paperweight
Located in Boca Raton, FL
6” Large Controlled Bubble Clear Glass Paperweight, rare collectible.
Blown Glass
Art Deco French Inkwell, Bronze and Portor Marble, France, 1920
Located in Paris, FR
Very elegant French Art Deco inkwell in gilt bronze and portor black marble with its white and golden veins. The inkwell stands on three beautiful round gilt bronze feet. It has a pe...
Marble, Bronze
1970s Vintage Glass Writing Desk Set from Italy, Good Condition
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Writing Desk realized in Italy in 1970s. Only one original pen available. Very good condition.
Glass
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Wood
1914 René Lalique - Paperweight Deux Aigles Two Eagles Glass with Sepia Patina
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Paperweight "Deux Aigles" (two eagles) made in glass with sepia patina by René Lalique in 1914. Molded signature. Perfect condition. height: 8 cm base: 10 cm x 8 cm Félix Marcilh...
Blown Glass
Antique sterling silver Treasury ink stand made by Tessiers of Bond Street 1924
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1924 by Tessiers Ltd., this handsome, Antique, George V period, Sterling Silver Ink Stand, is in the classic Treasury style, with cast scroll handles, and fou...
Sterling Silver
Antique Chained Bear Pillbox Made of Brass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chained Bear Pillbox Made of Brass Item e7255 A beautiful little brass statue of a bear chained to a tree stump. The bear's head can be opened. The figure can be used as a bo...
Brass
Unique Small Aluminum "Hood" Foot Advertising Paperweight, circa 1960's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unique Small Aluminum Foot Paperweight Advertising: " 'Hood' double arrow logo" "in vintage as found condition"
Aluminum
1980s Vintage Plastic Pen Holder by Alessandro Zuliani, Italian Design
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Plastic Pen Holder realized by Alessandro Zuliani for La Friulana. Very good condition.
Plastic
$1,800
1950s Hermès Ebony Brush
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Hermès clothing brush. Made from rare Ebony Macassar wood, boar bristles and brass. This brush is meant to preserve the life and appearance o...
Brass
Spécimen Marble Surtout De Table
Located in Spencertown, NY
The table stand with orange/red marble border enclosing 25 different marble samples on a black slate base and four gilt bronze feet.
Marble
Henry Chawner Georgian Sterling Silver Ladies Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver and glass ladies inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antique George III sterling silver desk Standish has a navette shaped form onto four bracket feet. This inkstand is encompassed with an applied thread decorated border, in addition to the contemporary engraved initials 'WW'. The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand is ornamented with a paralleling applied reed decorated border. The internal wirework style frame of the stand is divided into three rounded supports. Each internal compartment retains the original rounded glass bottles with cut glass ornamentation in addition to impressive scalloped bases. The ink, pen/quill and pounce bottles retain the original plain silver cylindrical mounts fitted with push fit hallmarked covers. The rim of each circular cover is encircled with applied moulded borders and bears the corresponding functional pierced decorated holes. This large silver ink Standish was crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Henry Chawner. Such original ladies examples, in perfect condition, are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique inkstand...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Art Deco Gilt Bronze Squirrel Paperweight Claude and Marcel Guillemard, 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Cute Art Deco Paperweight / Car Mascot Gilt Bronze in the shape of squirrel. Signed by the French artist Claude and with the founders' signature of Marcel Gui...
Marble, Bronze
Modern Designer Regenerated Leather Desk Set DONIO - 2 Pieces
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
DONIO is a designer leather desk set, produced by LIMAC Design. This original combination of desk accessories, made by the skilled hands of our craftsmen, will give an elegant and re...
Leather
Rare 19th century Swiss Black Forest ''Dog"' Ink Jar desk decoration hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully Carved Black Forest Ink Jar, Late 19th Century, Switzerland A gorgeous and finely crafted Black Forest style ink jar dating from the late 19th century, created in Switze...
Glass, Wood
Very rare English travel writing desk/secretary chest around 1860
Located in Berlin, DE
Very rare English travel writing desk/secretary chest around 1860 Solid mahogany lidded box that can be converted into a travel writing desk/travel secretary with a green leather to...
Brass
$429Sale Price|30% Off
Helle Mardahl Bonbonniere Dish
By Helle Mardahl
Located in Rochester, England
Inspired by the whimsical charm of a candy shop, the Helle Mardahl Bonbonniere is a delightful work of art. Meticulously crafted in Denmark, each dish is entirely unique, with organi...
Glass
A collection of four 19th century iron keys
Located in Buchanan, MI
A collection of four 19th century iron keys, great patina
Iron
Murano Red Purple Gold Leaf Fish Italian Art Glass Green UV Reactive Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown fish in green glass and bubbles Italian art glass paperweight. The piece is created in the manner of designer Alfredo Barbini and the Cenedese com...
Gold Leaf
Modern Leather Desk Pad QULUX - Italian Craftsmanship - 60 x 40 cm
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The QULUX design desk pad in real leather is a leather desk accessory from the LIMAC Design® Class line, made in prestigious cuoietto leather. Made with the collaboration of Italian...
Leather
Fantastic Gilt Bronze Brass and Cut Glass Horseman & Hound Dog Desk Inkwell Set
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Marvelously detailed French antique desk accessory inkwell made of gilt bronze and nickel plate having sculptural horseman in period outfit acco...
Bronze, Nickel
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.