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Desk Accessories For Sale
Victorian Campaign Brass Bound Coromandel Writing Slope With Secret Compartment
Victorian Campaign Brass Bound Coromandel Writing Slope With Secret Compartment

Victorian Campaign Brass Bound Coromandel Writing Slope With Secret Compartment

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Beautiful Late 19th Century Campaign Brass Bound Coromandel Writing Slope With Black Tooled Stylish Inlay Throughout. With A Secret Compartment The slope features a well executed fi...

Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #3844 Brass Bowl
Carl Auböck Model #3844 Brass Bowl

Carl Auböck Model #3844 Brass Bowl

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck model #3844 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceiv...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4233 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
Carl Auböck Model #4233 Brass and Leather Paper Knife

Carl Auböck Model #4233 Brass and Leather Paper Knife

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck Model #4233 brass and leather paper knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Inkwell with Beetle Relief, France, Art Nouveau, Early 20th Century
Inkwell with Beetle Relief, France, Art Nouveau, Early 20th Century

Inkwell with Beetle Relief, France, Art Nouveau, Early 20th Century

Located in Greven, DE

Inkwell with Beetle Relief Origin: France Material: clear pressed glass, silver-plated metal lid Date: circa 1900 Dimensions: H × W × D: 11 × 8 × 8 cm Description: Square inkwell ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636
Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Chalk Hill, PA

Carl Aubock patinated brass bookends #4636. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, original m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Stylized Sitting Cat Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
Stylized Sitting Cat Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat

Stylized Sitting Cat Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat

By Baccarat

Located in San Diego, CA

Gorgeous stylized sitting cat sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the...

Category

Late 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Silver-Plate Vanity Set With Comb, Brush and Mirror
Silver-Plate Vanity Set With Comb, Brush and Mirror

Silver-Plate Vanity Set With Comb, Brush and Mirror

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage, never used, vanity set with a bristle brush, comb and mirror. Each piece fits neatly into a velvet carrying case with hinge closure. Each piece features an ornate silver...

Category

20th Century Late Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver

Cartier Iconic Panther Design Card and Envelope Set Luxury Desk Stationery
Cartier Iconic Panther Design Card and Envelope Set Luxury Desk Stationery

Cartier Iconic Panther Design Card and Envelope Set Luxury Desk Stationery

By Cartier

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Panther Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Black Panther, limited edition Desk Accessory. Embo...

Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910
Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910

Antique Austrian Art Nouveau Bronze Elephant Motif Letter Opener, Bergmann 1910

By Franz Bergmann

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor, made by Franz Bergmann Vienna Austria. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displ...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Dunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Boxed Fountain Pen With Engine Turned Decoration
Dunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Boxed Fountain Pen With Engine Turned Decoration

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 Writes really well with executed with excellent D...

Category

20th Century Swiss Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel

Carl Aubock Horn Letter Opener, Paper Knife, Vienna, Austria, 1960s
Carl Aubock Horn Letter Opener, Paper Knife, Vienna, Austria, 1960s

Carl Aubock Horn Letter Opener, Paper Knife, Vienna, Austria, 1960s

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A decorative and rare minimalist Mid-Century letter opener from the 1960s, designed and handcrafted by the Werkstätte Carl Auböck workshop in Vienna. Handmade from a single piece of ...

Category

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

Materials

Horn

Danish Bakelite Table Phone from the 1940s
Danish Bakelite Table Phone from the 1940s

Danish Bakelite Table Phone from the 1940s

Located in Vienna, AT

Bakelite leather covered table phone, made in Denmark in the late 1940s. Used marks.  

Category

1940s Danish Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere
Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere

Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere

Located in Bad Säckingen, DE

This exquisite 1997 Hafod Grange paperweight beautifully encases a delicate dandelion seed head within a perfectly clear crystal sphere, creating a stunning display of nature's fragi...

Category

1990s English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Michelin 1910 Slim-Skinny Bibendum Bronze Car Mascot Hood Ornament
Michelin 1910 Slim-Skinny Bibendum Bronze Car Mascot Hood Ornament

Michelin 1910 Slim-Skinny Bibendum Bronze Car Mascot Hood Ornament

By Michelin Man

Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos

An early 'Bibendum Protégé' Car mascot - Hood Ornament, French, circa 1910, Nickel-plated bronze figure of a 'slim' Mr. Bibendum, mounted on wooden black base. Perfect for any Classi...

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Gucci Leather Desk Notepad with Equestrian Motif, circa 1970
Gucci Leather Desk Notepad with Equestrian Motif, circa 1970

Gucci Leather Desk Notepad with Equestrian Motif, circa 1970

By Gucci

Located in Atlanta, GA

Enhance your private workspace with this rare Italian designer Gucci modernist desktop accessory, a stunning blend of luxury and virtuosity. Created in Italy circa 1970, this exquisi...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Metal

Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Scandinese style - Large - Color: Clay
Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Scandinese style - Large - Color: Clay

Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Scandinese style - Large - Color: Clay

By Aria Home

Located in Curitiba, Parana

High-end design, without excess. The AUREN Collection elevates the Aria experience with trays that combine genuine leather and premium-quality brass handles. Featuring hardware ins...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Chinese Jade Bead Calligraphy Brush
Chinese Jade Bead Calligraphy Brush

Chinese Jade Bead Calligraphy Brush

Located in Chicago, IL

Along with paper, ink and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist’...

Category

20th Century Chinese Desk Accessories

Materials

Jade

Early 20th Century Viennese Bronze Pen Wipe Figurine, circa 1900s
Early 20th Century Viennese Bronze Pen Wipe Figurine, circa 1900s

Early 20th Century Viennese Bronze Pen Wipe Figurine, circa 1900s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Beautiful bronze wild boar figurine as a Pen Wipe, early 20th century – patinated This finely crafted, unpainted Viennese bronze figurine is believed to date from the early 20th cen...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Gold Silk Moiré and Bronze Picture Frame with Garlands
Antique Gold Silk Moiré and Bronze Picture Frame with Garlands

Antique Gold Silk Moiré and Bronze Picture Frame with Garlands

Located in Toronto, ON

Capture your memories in this French antique bronze picture frame with garlands and gold silk moiré. Accepts one 4" x 6" photograph.

Category

Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "1st Model Candy". Memphis Style
1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "1st Model Candy". Memphis Style

1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "1st Model Candy". Memphis Style

Located in Milano, IT

1980s Gorgeous Swatch twin phone 1st model in production called Candy. It's in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon for its amazing design. A true p...

Category

1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Balenciaga Pen, 2000s
Vintage Balenciaga Pen, 2000s

Vintage Balenciaga Pen, 2000s

Located in Roma, IT

Vintage Balenciaga Pen. Includes its original box. Excellent condition.

Category

Early 2000s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

By Napoléon III

Located in Cheltenham, GB

An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...

Category

Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Green Cut Uranium Glass Inkwell
Antique Green Cut Uranium Glass Inkwell

Antique Green Cut Uranium Glass Inkwell

Located in Vienna, AT

A stunning green inkwell with dore bronze setting. The inkwell has a amazing bright green color and it is made out of green uranium glass. When you illum...

Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Uranium Glass

Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder
Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder

Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Star Sea Star Starfish Key Ring Chain Holder

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist star keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Maritime Inkwell, Late 19th Century, France, circa 1880
Maritime Inkwell, Late 19th Century, France, circa 1880

Maritime Inkwell, Late 19th Century, France, circa 1880

Located in Greven, DE

Maritime Inkwell with Anchor Mount France, circa 1880 H × W × D: 12 × 10 × 8 cm Description: A rare maritime-themed inkwell featuring a prominent sculptural anchor motif. The dark...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.
Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.

Rare Piero Fornasetti Mid-Century Ceramic Paperweight 'Occhio', Italy 1950s.

By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti, Gio Ponti

Located in Malmö, SE

A rare and beautiful paperweight with amazing surrealist eyeball decor. Designed and produced by Piero Fornasetti in Milano, Italy. Early production, 1950s. Great original conditio...

Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

Tiffany Studios New York Silvered Bronze and Abalone Inkwell
Tiffany Studios New York Silvered Bronze and Abalone Inkwell

Tiffany Studios New York Silvered Bronze and Abalone Inkwell

By Tiffany Studios

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts period silvered bronze and inlaid abalone inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, early 20th century Measures: ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Abstract Bronze Intertwined Figurative Sculpture on White Marble Base
Vintage Abstract Bronze Intertwined Figurative Sculpture on White Marble Base

Vintage Abstract Bronze Intertwined Figurative Sculpture on White Marble Base

Located in North Miami, FL

This beautiful intertwined abstract figure bronze sculpture on a white marble base is very sensual and has an amazing and different presence from every angle. The bodies are intertwi...

Category

1960s American Organic Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Rare Arts & Crafts Beaded Velvet Picture Frame with Floral Folk Art Motif, c1910
Rare Arts & Crafts Beaded Velvet Picture Frame with Floral Folk Art Motif, c1910

Rare Arts & Crafts Beaded Velvet Picture Frame with Floral Folk Art Motif, c1910

Located in Lisse, NL

Exceptional beaded velvet picture frame with a wonderfully rich folk art / Arts & Crafts decor. For the collector of rare and finely handcrafted Arts & Crafts objects, this striking...

Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Velvet, Glass

Luxury Art Deco Desk Set in Swedish Black Marble, 1930's
Luxury Art Deco Desk Set in Swedish Black Marble, 1930's

Luxury Art Deco Desk Set in Swedish Black Marble, 1930's

Located in Stockholm, SE

A luxurious Art Deco desk set in Swedish black marble with elegant white veining, dating from the 1930s. This refined ensemble includes a letter opener, rocker blotter, inkwell, lett...

Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Late 20th Century/C. 1970 Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener by Christofle
Late 20th Century/C. 1970 Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener by Christofle

Late 20th Century/C. 1970 Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener by Christofle

By Christofle

Located in North Miami, FL

Late 20th century/circa 1970 silvered Napoleon Empereur letter opener by Christofle By: Christofle Material: silver, silver plate, metal, paper Technique: polished, silvered, metalw...

Category

Late 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Metal

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840

Located in Dallas, TX

This piece of nineteenth-century French elegance is sure to be the envy of any collector. The Napoleon III gilt bronze inkwell is a prized find, crafted in circa 1840 France with int...

Category

1840s French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Austrian Bronze Paper Clip
Austrian Bronze Paper Clip

Austrian Bronze Paper Clip

Located in Delft, NL

An Austrian bronze paper clip A Viennese cold painted bronze dog figurine, designed as a paper clip mounted on a polished mahogany base. The...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Set of Antique Bound Books Dating from the 19th Century, France
Set of Antique Bound Books Dating from the 19th Century, France

Set of Antique Bound Books Dating from the 19th Century, France

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

Set of old religious books dating from the 19th century. From an old protestant library near Le Havre in France. These books are called "Commentaries". These beautiful books are perf...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

Original Max Le Verrier Art Deco Bronze Catchall, Bowl, Videpoche France, 1930
Original Max Le Verrier Art Deco Bronze Catchall, Bowl, Videpoche France, 1930

Original Max Le Verrier Art Deco Bronze Catchall, Bowl, Videpoche France, 1930

By Max Le Verrier

Located in Miami, FL

Beautiful solid Bronze double patina low relief décor catchall, footed bowl or videpoche. Stamped Bronze on the reverse and Artist Mark, M. Le Verrier. A French Art Deco Collector'...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Postmodern Bakelite "Liberte" Letter Holder by Philippe Starck for Alessi
Postmodern Bakelite "Liberte" Letter Holder by Philippe Starck for Alessi

Postmodern Bakelite "Liberte" Letter Holder by Philippe Starck for Alessi

By Philippe Starck, Alessi

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The Liberte letter holder/desk organizer/envelope box was designed by French Industrial Designer/Architect, Philippe Starck for Alessi (Portugal, 1992). The green plastic top, suppor...

Category

1990s Portuguese Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic, Bakelite

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Pair of Carl Auböck model #3846 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. The Auböck #3846 booke...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3651 Brass Bookends

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Pair of Carl Auböck model #3651 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

1930s Curt Schlevogt, Ingrid Collection Bohemian Malachite Glass Dresser Set
1930s Curt Schlevogt, Ingrid Collection Bohemian Malachite Glass Dresser Set

1930s Curt Schlevogt, Ingrid Collection Bohemian Malachite Glass Dresser Set

By Curt Schlevogt

Located in Delft, NL

1930s Curt Schlevogt, Ingrid collection Bohemian Malachite glass dresser set Czechoslovakian moulded in deep relief Bohemian malachite glass dresser set by Curt Schlevogt from the...

Category

1930s Czech Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Robert Indiana Red Brushed Aluminum Love Paperweight Sculpture, 1970's
Vintage Robert Indiana Red Brushed Aluminum Love Paperweight Sculpture, 1970's

Vintage Robert Indiana Red Brushed Aluminum Love Paperweight Sculpture, 1970's

By Robert Indiana

Located in North Miami, FL

This very rare rendition and small edition of the vintage Robert Indiana love paperweight sculpture is rarely seen version in red brushed aluminum. This may have only been a very sma...

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Solid Russian Malachite Lion
Solid Russian Malachite Lion

Solid Russian Malachite Lion

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Malachite lion - perfectly suited for a desk object / sculpture or paperweight. A perfect gift for anyone who loves organic, yet chic pieces.

Category

20th Century Russian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

LOVE Snowglobe
LOVE Snowglobe

LOVE Snowglobe

$150 / item

LOVE Snowglobe

By Robert Indiana

Located in Jersey City, NJ

LOVE Snow Globe globe dims: 4.5 h x 4" w x 4" l gift box dims: 5.25 " h. x 5.25" w. x 5.25" l packaged in custom gift box ©Morgan Art Foundation Licensed by Artestar, New York Robe...

Category

2010s North American Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, Italy 1960s
Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, Italy 1960s

Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, Italy 1960s

By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti

Located in Naples, IT

Famous and Iconic Portable Typewriter Mod. Valentine designed by Ettore Sottsass and Peter King, for the company Olivetti in 1960, the typewriter is in very good condition with case ...

Category

1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Faux leather Basket or Trash can, Circa 1970 Black and Grey color Made in Italy
Faux leather Basket or Trash can, Circa 1970 Black and Grey color Made in Italy

Faux leather Basket or Trash can, Circa 1970 Black and Grey color Made in Italy

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

This basket, or trash can, has been made in Italy in the 1970's. The Faux leather as a Black and grey color . It is in good condition.

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Faux Leather, Plastic

Lubitel 2 Bakelite With LOMO T-22 75/4.5 Taking Lens Manufactured by OMO
Lubitel 2 Bakelite With LOMO T-22 75/4.5 Taking Lens Manufactured by OMO

Lubitel 2 Bakelite With LOMO T-22 75/4.5 Taking Lens Manufactured by OMO

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Lubitel 2 Bakelite With LOMO T-22 75/4.5 Taking Lens Manufactured by OMO Manufactured between 1954 and 1980 Ref 7439664 Camera has a waist level finder and focusing rings are mad...

Category

Late 20th Century Russian Space Age Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Calipso A4 Letter Tray in Corno Italiano, Lacquered Wood and Leather, Mod. 5303s
Calipso A4 Letter Tray in Corno Italiano, Lacquered Wood and Leather, Mod. 5303s

Calipso A4 Letter Tray in Corno Italiano, Lacquered Wood and Leather, Mod. 5303s

By Arcahorn Srl.

Located in Recanati, Macerata

Perfect to store paperwork on your desk, the Calipso A4 paper tray is imbued with textural beauty. Crafted in glossy black lacquered wood, the design is added an elegant allure by be...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

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.