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Desk Accessories For Sale
Large Patinated Brass Sculpture of Male Form 'Back - 2/2'
Large Patinated Brass Sculpture of Male Form 'Back - 2/2'

Large Patinated Brass Sculpture of Male Form 'Back - 2/2'

Located in London, GB

A well formed artist made sculpture cast of the male form. One of two pieces available. The reverse being sold in a separate listing. France, c1950s...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Mid Century Italian Pen Holder Attibuted To Fontana Arte FREE DELIVERY
Exquisite Mid Century Italian Pen Holder Attibuted To Fontana Arte FREE DELIVERY

Exquisite Mid Century Italian Pen Holder Attibuted To Fontana Arte FREE DELIVERY

By Fontana Arte

Located in Portlaoise, IE

A simply wonderful objet d'art this beautifully crafted glass pen holder attributed to the iconic Italian brand Fontana Arte is the perfect desk accessory to add Mid Century style an...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Cut Glass

Tiffany Studios 'American Indian' Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Tiffany Studios 'American Indian' Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

Tiffany Studios 'American Indian' Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze "American Indian" pattern blotter ends, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios (signed to the un...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Organic Form Blackened Gio Hook by Henry Wilson
Organic Form Blackened Gio Hook by Henry Wilson

Organic Form Blackened Gio Hook by Henry Wilson

By Henry Wilson

Located in Geneve, CH

Blackened Gio Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 2 x D 8 x H 12 cm Materials: Blackened bronze. The Gio Hook is named for the master modernist Signor Ponti – a continuous inspiratio...

Category

2010s Australian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

1940's Original Enamel Tiffin Carrier - Decorated White
1940's Original Enamel Tiffin Carrier - Decorated White

1940's Original Enamel Tiffin Carrier - Decorated White

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1940's Original Enamel Tiffin Carrier - Decorated White. Classic multi compartment tiffin carrier. An original 1940's well loved and used decorated enamel tiffin from India. Used d...

Category

1940s Indian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Inkwell
Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Inkwell

Roycroft Arts & Crafts Hammered Brass Over Copper Inkwell

By Roycroft

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period brass finished hand hammered copper inkwell By Roycroft (signed with impressed orb and cross mark) USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 3.5"W x 3.5"D ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Copper

Clear Crystal Ball with Bubbles
Clear Crystal Ball with Bubbles

Clear Crystal Ball with Bubbles

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A solid hand-blown crystal sphere infused with delicate suspended bubbles, creating a captivating interplay of light and movement within the glass. Though smaller in scale, the piece...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Mid Century Architectural Hugh Acton Two Tier Letter Tray
Mid Century Architectural Hugh Acton Two Tier Letter Tray

Mid Century Architectural Hugh Acton Two Tier Letter Tray

Located in San Diego, CA

Two level 1950s metal letter tray by Hugh Acton for the Brunswick Corporation USA, c. 1965 A minimilist architectural design. Substantial construction with the original black finish ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

French Bronze and Siena Marble Antique Inkwell
French Bronze and Siena Marble Antique Inkwell

French Bronze and Siena Marble Antique Inkwell

Located in Paris, FR

19th century inkstand with three jars crafted of patinated bronze, serving as inkwells. They are decorated with acanthus leaf and small flowers....

Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

unique turquoise burnished solid brass WRITING DESK SET Vienna Austria 1950's
unique turquoise burnished solid brass WRITING DESK SET Vienna Austria 1950's

unique turquoise burnished solid brass WRITING DESK SET Vienna Austria 1950's

By Walter Bosse

Located in Landshut, BY

unique turquoise burnished solid brass WRITING DESK SET Vienna Austria 1950's processed to the highest quality Production Period around 1950 :-: in good condition :-: maximum ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century
Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century

Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century

Located in Knivsta, SE

Very charming Travel Inkwell in leather with a Count`s Crown, probably early 18th Century. Nice patina with some wear. See pictures. Wear consistent with age and use.

Category

Early 18th Century European Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sheet Metal

Lucite Obelisk Decorative Object
Lucite Obelisk Decorative Object

Lucite Obelisk Decorative Object

Located in New York, NY

A Lucite obelisk decorative object, in the Modern style, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object for a deck, office, library, shelf, cocktail table, etc. Obelisk measures: 8" Height. Other items shown in images also available, search 1stDibs ref. #s: Black and White marble pyramid, ref. #: LU1314223512602 Lucite & 1970s Pennies Paperweight...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Large Victorian Green Glass Dump Weight with Flowering Stems
Large Victorian Green Glass Dump Weight with Flowering Stems

Large Victorian Green Glass Dump Weight with Flowering Stems

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

A good large antique Victorian green glass doorstop or dump weight including a pot/vase with four flowering stems probably made in Yorkshire, England and dating from around 1870. A...

Category

1870s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Sage Size 6 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Sage Size 6 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood

Sage Size 6 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood

Located in calgary, CA

Log bowls combine the beauty of a tree in its natural state with a high-gloss, vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using locally reclaimed trees of all var...

Category

Early 2000s Canadian Minimalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Willow

Baccarat Paperweight by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, French Glass Design
Baccarat Paperweight by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, French Glass Design

Baccarat Paperweight by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, French Glass Design

By Baccarat

Located in Miami, FL

A fine quality Franklin Mint paperweight by Baccarat. This Baccarat paperweight pays hommage to Jean-Jacques Rousseau who was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer. His politi...

Category

20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Very nice Brass Letter holder .Horse for a fence  . 1950s
Very nice Brass Letter holder .Horse for a fence  . 1950s

Very nice Brass Letter holder .Horse for a fence . 1950s

Located in Den Haag, NL

Very nice Brass Letter holder .Horse for a fence . 1950s

Category

1950s Italian Victorian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Baroque Style Brass Inkwell Set and Letter Holder Stand
Baroque Style Brass Inkwell Set and Letter Holder Stand

Baroque Style Brass Inkwell Set and Letter Holder Stand

Located in Doylestown, PA

Baroque style solid brass double inkwell set with letter holder, c. 1900-1910. A gorgeous desktop accessory ornately adorned with cherubs, flowers and scrolling acanthus leaves. In...

Category

Early 1900s European Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Bronze Double Inkwell

French Empire Style Bronze Double Inkwell

Located in Queens, NY

French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze scalloped edge double inkwell on 4 claw feet with crystal wells and handles.

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s
Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s

Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Vintage Olivetti Portable Typewriter Model Lettera 27
Vintage Olivetti Portable Typewriter Model Lettera 27

Vintage Olivetti Portable Typewriter Model Lettera 27

By Olivetti

Located in Palermo, IT

Olivetti portable typewriter model Lettera 27. Intact and functional, equipped with transport cover. Good condition.

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style pen tray, desk tray, or ashtray By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, US...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Notepad Holder, Circa 1910
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Notepad Holder, Circa 1910

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Pattern Bronze Doré Notepad Holder, Circa 1910

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style notepad holder By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.75"W x 7.5"D x ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Leather Tray, Large A Square Tray, Handmade - Color: Wine
Leather Tray, Large A Square Tray, Handmade - Color: Wine

Leather Tray, Large A Square Tray, Handmade - Color: Wine

By Aria Home

Located in Curitiba, Parana

Monochrome Collection Trays For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Pair Post-Modern Marble Interlocking Rings / Paperweight
Pair Post-Modern Marble Interlocking Rings / Paperweight

Pair Post-Modern Marble Interlocking Rings / Paperweight

Located in San Diego, CA

Pair of post-modern marble interlocking rings / paperweight, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 5"W x 3.5"D x 3"H. Beautiful brown ...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Antique Solid Silver Letter Opener by Charles & George Asprey, 1915
Antique Solid Silver Letter Opener by Charles & George Asprey, 1915

Antique Solid Silver Letter Opener by Charles & George Asprey, 1915

By Charles & George Asprey

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 20th Century English solid silver letter opener. The top of the letter opener is set with a domed circular boss mounted on the silver handle. It displays a crowned bugle horn...

Category

20th Century British Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Pyramid-Shaped Glass Paperweight
Pyramid-Shaped Glass Paperweight

Pyramid-Shaped Glass Paperweight

$329Sale Price|20% Off

Pyramid-Shaped Glass Paperweight

Located in Marbella, ES

Pyramid-shaped glass paperweight.

Category

Late 20th Century European Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Pair of Marble Paperweight with Fruits, XIXth Century
Pair of Marble Paperweight with Fruits, XIXth Century

Pair of Marble Paperweight with Fruits, XIXth Century

Located in MARSEILLE, FR

2 white marble paperweights with tinted marble fruit, Italian work from the 19th century Small chips Height 8.5cm 10x17cm.

Category

19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell
French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell

French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A beautiful and exceptionally high quality French early 19th century Louis XV st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, signed Sèvres. The inkwell is raised by striking pierced scrolled foliate ormolu movements in a most decorative satin and burnished finished. At the center is the finely detailed Sèvres Porcelain tray...

Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ormolu

Art Déco Guinea Pig Bronze Paperweight by E.M. Sandoz for Susse Frères, France
Art Déco Guinea Pig Bronze Paperweight by E.M. Sandoz for Susse Frères, France

Art Déco Guinea Pig Bronze Paperweight by E.M. Sandoz for Susse Frères, France

By Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, Susse Freres

Located in North Miami, FL

1920s Art Déco small guinea pig bronze paperweight/sculpture by Édouard-Marcel Sandoz manufactured by Susse Frères, France By: Édouard-Marcel Sandoz, Susse Frères Material: bronze, ...

Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Copper

Daum France - Paperweight Decorative Flower Rose Passion Frosted Crystal
Daum France - Paperweight Decorative Flower Rose Passion Frosted Crystal

Daum France - Paperweight Decorative Flower Rose Passion Frosted Crystal

By Daum

Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR

Paperweight "Decorative Flower - Rose Passion" made in frosted crystal by Daum France. Engraved signature. Perfect condition. Dimensions: 11 cm x 11 cm.

Category

2010s European Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Post-Modern Teak and Frosted Glass Double Letter Tray
Post-Modern Teak and Frosted Glass Double Letter Tray

Post-Modern Teak and Frosted Glass Double Letter Tray

Located in San Diego, CA

A really cool and high quality set of post-modern teak and frosted glass double letter trays, circa 1990s. There are two sets of 2 trays available so you could acquire a four height ...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Teak

1930's Set Of Balance Scale Validation Weights - Small Set
1930's Set Of Balance Scale Validation Weights - Small Set

1930's Set Of Balance Scale Validation Weights - Small Set

Located in Hook, Hampshire

1930's Set Of Balance Scale Validation Weights - Small Set. Rare and unusual 1930's set of weights used to set a validation standard for industrial balance scales. Set as photograp...

Category

1930s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Purple Amethyst Bookends, Pair
Purple Amethyst Bookends, Pair

Purple Amethyst Bookends, Pair

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful and substantial pair of natural purple amethyst specimen bookends or sculptures/decorative objects, circa 20th century. Dimensions: 4" Width x 6" Height.   

Category

20th Century Organic Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Amethyst, Crystal, Quartz

Murano Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight
Murano Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight

Murano Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight

Beautiful and very unusual, vintage Murano hand blown multicolor millefiori flowers Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool sculptural paperweight. Th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

French Art Nouveau Rene Lalique Faune Glass Dish, 1931
French Art Nouveau Rene Lalique Faune Glass Dish, 1931

French Art Nouveau Rene Lalique Faune Glass Dish, 1931

By René Lalique

Located in Worcester Park, GB

An very rare signed (R Lalique) Rene Lalique 'Faune' pintray -depicting a dancing or running goat legged child beast, dating from 1931 (Marcilhac ref: 316). Such pin trays were desig...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...

Category

Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Iron

Murano Red Multi-Color Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Rooster Sculpture
Murano Red Multi-Color Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Rooster Sculpture

Murano Red Multi-Color Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Rooster Sculpture

By Galliano Ferro

Located in Kissimmee, FL

Beautiful, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red and millefiori flowers Italian art glass rooster figure, sculpture or paperweight. The piece is documented to Galliano Ferro, for Fo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

French 18th Century Directoire Gilded Garniture Set
French 18th Century Directoire Gilded Garniture Set

French 18th Century Directoire Gilded Garniture Set

Located in New Orleans, LA

This Directoire period, painted and gold leaf gilded tole jardinière set features a beautiful centerpiece with matching side urns. The French antique trio...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Gold, Tin

Antique Arculus Close Concentric Millefiori Glass Paperweight
Antique Arculus Close Concentric Millefiori Glass Paperweight

Antique Arculus Close Concentric Millefiori Glass Paperweight

By Whitefriars, Clichy

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique English glass paperweight. By Arculus. Of a medium to low dome form. Dates to the early 20th century (pre-1930). With a close-concentric millefiori design, featuri...

Category

Early 20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Exquisite Miniature Italian Bisque Porcelain Fawn Figurine, Superbly Crafted
Exquisite Miniature Italian Bisque Porcelain Fawn Figurine, Superbly Crafted

Exquisite Miniature Italian Bisque Porcelain Fawn Figurine, Superbly Crafted

By Midcentury Italian school

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Unbelievably delicate and superbly crafted, Italian bisque porcelain fawn figurine Miniature in size with huge appeal Highly likely to be from the 1980's Hand painted matt finish H...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco nude female brass Paperweight around 1920s
Art Deco nude female brass Paperweight around 1920s

Art Deco nude female brass Paperweight around 1920s

Located in Wien, AT

Art Deco nude female brass Paperweight around 1920s Brass polished and stove enameled

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Stylized Frosted Crystal Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Lalique
Stylized Frosted Crystal Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Lalique

Stylized Frosted Crystal Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Lalique

By Lalique

Located in San Diego, CA

Gorgeous stylized frosted crystal rabbit sculpture / paperweight by Lalique, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has a great look. Sign...

Category

Late 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Madagascan Fossil Tree Trunk Slice
Madagascan Fossil Tree Trunk Slice

Madagascan Fossil Tree Trunk Slice

Located in London, by appointment only

Madagascan fossil tree trunk slice.  Measures: 25 cm. 29 cm. 5 cm.      

Category

15th Century and Earlier Brazilian Prehistoric Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest

19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest

Located in Haarlem, NL

Very cute set of two 19th century Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Forêt Noir carved walnut dog and cat heads with glass eyes and ink well with log pen rest. Intricate carved detail to hair, teeth, eyes and paws. The cat has green glass eyes, has painted stripes and the log is painted darker. The inkwell insert...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Bone, Walnut

Gilt bronze inkwell forming a basket of grapes
Gilt bronze inkwell forming a basket of grapes

Gilt bronze inkwell forming a basket of grapes

Located in Paris, FR

Gilt bronze inkwell, concealed in a grape basket, revealing two cups. The rectangular base is adorned with four urns at the corners, acting as nib holders, and with an applied semi-c...

Category

1870s French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

20thC English Solid Silver Novelty "Shuttlecock" Inkwell, Birmingham c.1928
20thC English Solid Silver Novelty "Shuttlecock" Inkwell, Birmingham c.1928

20thC English Solid Silver Novelty "Shuttlecock" Inkwell, Birmingham c.1928

By Sanders & Mackenzie

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A novelty 20th Century English solid silver novelty “shuttlecock” inkwell. Designed in the form of a badminton shuttlecock, it features detailed plumage and accurate proportions. Ope...

Category

20th Century British Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Art Nouveau Inkwell by Albert Marionnet, 'French'
Art Nouveau Inkwell by Albert Marionnet, 'French'

Art Nouveau Inkwell by Albert Marionnet, 'French'

By Albert Marionnet

Located in Paris, FR

Late 19th century Art Nouveau inkwell and tidy crafted of bronze with brown and black patina, featuring an eagle with spread wings on a rock. This desktop piece includes two containers for ink hidden in the naturalist landscape. Signed on the base A Marionnet and underneath A. Marionnet BRONZES...

Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Russian Malachite and Gilt Bronze Large Inkwell
19th Century Russian Malachite and Gilt Bronze Large Inkwell

19th Century Russian Malachite and Gilt Bronze Large Inkwell

Located in Dallas, TX

Rare and exceptional 19th century Russian gilt bronze and malachite inkwell. Gilt Sphinx with two ink deposits and double sided pen holders.

Category

Late 19th Century Baltic Baltic Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Antique Ladies Hand Wall or Desk Letter Clip Erhard & Sohne Ormolu, German 1890s
Antique Ladies Hand Wall or Desk Letter Clip Erhard & Sohne Ormolu, German 1890s

Antique Ladies Hand Wall or Desk Letter Clip Erhard & Sohne Ormolu, German 1890s

By Erhard & Söhne

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A gorgeous ladies hand wall or desk letter / paper clip. Made of Ormolu, by Erhard & Sohne, Germany. Beautiful color and patina. This was made by Erhard & Sohne in the early 1890s-19...

Category

1890s German Belle Époque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Ormolu

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.