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Desk Accessories For Sale
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

Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Purple Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown royal blue and white mini spots, with purple and white millefiori flower murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso c...
Category

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

Materials

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

Montblanc Meisterstuck Le Petit Prince & Aviator Ballpoint Pen Special Edition
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Special Edition Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince & Aviator. The barrel and cap of the ballpoint are made of brown precious resin. The clip is t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Platinum

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver letter opener. Additional Details: In sterling silver. By Tiffany & Co. Marked to the end of the handle for Tiffany & Co. / 925 / © / 1995 Simply a wonderful letter...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

1970s Rare Elephant Dansk Animal Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Signed Dansk Silverplated Elephant Figure. Vintage silver-plated paperweight figurine designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk in the 1970s. Signed Dansk Designs Japan G...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Set of Two Handmade Transparent Crystal Photo Frames by GhiróStudio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Set of two photo frames, one horizontal and one vertical, of excellent workmanship and artistic quality. The rounded edges give harmony and elegance. The high transparency crystal ha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Post-Modern Marble Block / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice post-modern marble block / paperweight,circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 4"W x 4"D x 4"H. Beautiful veining throughout...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Vintage Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray
Located in Esperance, NY
This is a very unique premium paper or letter tray that is now available for sale. It comes with its original Knoll tag and is an early version of the product. With its stunning desi...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bentwood

Midcentury Modern Porcelain Jewely Dish Rosenthal Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in New York, NY
A German white, gold and copper porcelain jewelry dish by Danish Designer Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, 20th century. A rectangular white porcelain dish with abs...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

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

Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massive Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, by Hans Müller Austrian, circa 1900. Behold the Art Nouveau Bronze Poseidon Inkwell, a masterpiece attributed to the skilled hands of Ha...
Category

Late 19th Century Belle Époque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Ettore Sottsass, Shiva Flower Vase, Pink, Glazed Ceramic, Spanish, XXth
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase is sculpture and vase. It is a symbol of Ettore Sottsass and an icon. Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Crystal Sailboat Ornament by DAUM France
By Daum
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An intriguing crystal ornament, or paperweight, in the shape of a stylised three-masted sailing boat, made by legendary crystal manufacturer DAUM France. In excellent condition, its ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Swedish Black Bakelite Table Phone
Located in Vienna, AT
Bakelite table phone by LM Eriksson from the early 1960s.      
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass Statue, paper weight or sculpture. Showing a giant octopus. Colors are a blue, white, black and clear. A beautiful nice addition to your...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Patinated Brass and Cane Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3530 'Flatiron' patinated brass and cane bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Aircraft Engine Gold Speaker
Located in Paris, FR
Speaker Aircraft Engine Gold is inspired by radial aircraft engines from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum alloy wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum, Gold Plate, Chrome

Vintage Brown Stitched Leather Covered Telephone by Contempra 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra Stitched Leather clad tone touch Telephone, Desk or Wall Mount.Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra telephone covered in stitched brown leather.Could...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Bakelite

Italian Photo Frame Art Nouveau Handcrafted Silver , Kindness
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Kindness is a delicate photo frame of Laura G Art with Heart collection , handmade entirely by Italian masters of art. Kindness is both front a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Exquisite Georgian Hand Crafted Mahogany Writing Slope With Red Tooled Leather
By Thompson Cabinet Company
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Early 19th Century Exquisite Brass Bound Hand Crafted Mahogany Writing Slope Burgundy Red Tooled Leather, Two Glass Brass Topped Inkwells & Two Or...
Category

1820s British Georgian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

8 Foot Tall Pop Art Wood Pencil, 1970s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Back to the drawing board! A remarkable piece for spurring conversation at home or for capturing attention in a store display. This massive vintage trompe l'oeil pencil is made of on...
Category

1970s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

English Mappin & Webb Sterling Silver Georgian Style Double Inkwell, London 1892
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Mappin & Webb Sterling Silver Double Inkwell—Georgian Style, London 1892 This rare antique Mappin & Webb sterling silver double inkwell, made in London in 1892, is a stunning Victorian-era desk accessory in the Georgian style. Made from solid sterling silver, the inkstand base features a gadrooned border and stands on ornate winged paw feet, showcasing exquisite 19th-century craftsmanship. The inkstand includes two finely cut glass inkwells with sterling silver lids and a central lidded compartment, originally designed for pen nibs, matches, or blotting sand. Today, it serves as the perfect storage for stamps, paperclips, or small desk accessories. The base is fitted with two integrated pen rests, offering both practicality and sophistication for any luxury office or study. This Victorian sterling silver inkwell is a collectible writing accessory, ideal for antique silver collectors...
Category

Late 19th Century English Georgian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century A charming cast iron paperweight in the shape of a reclining sphinx, dating from the French Empire period, early 19t...
Category

Early 1800s French Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Carl Auböck Model #4965 Large Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #4956 brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Price is per...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4317 Brass Bowl
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4317 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceived as a fountain pen...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Nine-Piece Desk Set, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Zodiac" bronze desk set. The nine-piece set includes: large inkwell, pen brush, two letter racks, pair of bookends, stamp box, notepad...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Howard Miller Domed Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant mechanical decorative object.
Category

1960s North American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Acrylic

Cartier Must II ballpoint pen silver plated and palladium 1980s
Located in Paris, IDF
This Cartier Must II ballpoint pen from the 1980s is a rare piece made of silver plating and palladium, adorned with a distinctive engraved motif featuring Cartier's iconic "C". It b...
Category

1980s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

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

Italian Leather Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An Italian brown leather cylindrical jewelry box with gold embossing, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Box can hold jewelry or other items on a desk, vanity, walk-in-closet, etc. Dimensions: 4" Diameter x 3.38" Height. Tray with horse also available, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314230770952 For leather and hide tray, search ref. #: LU1314230694692 Agate dish...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Bee
Located in New York City, NY
Porcelain creation depicting a bee, part of the Awesome Insects collection. A surprising decorative design. The pollinizing species par excellence, t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Bee
Bee
$1,600 / item
Italian Murano Art Glass Sphere Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian Murano hand blown art glass paperweight, Midcentury Modern period, circa mid-20th century, ...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware

1970s Gunnar Cyrén for Dansk Silver Plate Elephant Figurine Paperweight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Dansk Mid-Century Silver Plate Animal Elephant Figurine Paperweight. Vintage Dansk silver plate elephant figurine paper weight. Marked Dansk Designs Japan. Dimensions: 1.75ʺW × 2.25ʺ...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 11 Vintage Christmas Figures Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of 11 vintage wooden skier and winter figures from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of handcrafted christmas decora...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Vintage Pair of Plaster Lamb / Sheep Bookends by Borghese of Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage pair of plaster lamb / sheep bookends by Borghese of Italy, circa 1970s.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Plaster

Silver Plate Ink Well with Gallery, Sphinx and Greek Key Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning silver plate ink well with two cut crystal ink wells - both capped with a silver top and greek key trim. A center storage piece is pr...
Category

20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Carl Auböck Model #4056 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #4056 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Space Age Lucite and Chrome Catch It All
Located in San Diego, CA
Really nice and unique catch it all, circa 1970s, this piece was never used its in like-new condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Korean Space Age Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

20th Century Marble French Art Deco Inkwell, 1930
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French marble inkstand from the Art Deco era. Inkwell for antique dealers and collectors of excellent quality and difficult to find. Object built with different marble elements appli...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Leather Basket by Lancel Paris, Signed and Made in Italy
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This basket, or trash can, is signed Lancel Paris underneath, and has been made in Italy in the 1970's. The leather as a beautiful old patina. It is in good condition.
Category

1970s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Late 19th Century French Inkwell with Enamel Decoration and Onyx Plate
Located in Greven, DE
Inkwell with Enamel Decoration and Onyx Plate Origin: Probably France Material: Gilded metal, champlevé enamel, onyx Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 9 × 12 ×13 cm Des...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Brass, Enamel

Carl Auböck Model #4233 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
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

Antique Inkwell, Gilded Bronze, Antique Desk Utensil, French Pen Holder, Around
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique inkwell made from gilded bronze. Nicely coloured ceramic parts. The plate is made of marble. Nice bronze work with a well preserved gilding. The original glass...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Gold, Bronze

Classic Must de Cartier Silver Plated Trinity Vendome Fountain Pen & Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Classic Must de Cartier Silver Plated Trinity Vendome Fountain Pen With 18ct Gold Nib Made in Paris, France. Item Is Sold With Original Red & Gold Leather Box, Red & Gold Leather...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Silver Plate

Gray Cobra Table Phone, Ericofon by LM Ericsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage rotary dial gray ericofone. This is the model Cobra. It is made of blue thermoplastic ABS Designed in the 1950s in Sweden by Hugo Blomberg,...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Perforated Metal Tray in the style of Mathieu Mategot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful perforated white metal tray with metal band around edge and wavy loop metal handles in the style of Mathieu Mategot from France. Perfect vide poche for keys or jewelry.
Category

1950s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century West German Space Age Desk Utensilo, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century West German Space Age Desk Utensilo, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Plastic Color: Green Styles: Mid-Century M...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

LOVE Snowglobe
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

LOVE Snowglobe
LOVE Snowglobe
$150 / item
Letter Rack by Jacques Adnet
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Jacques Adnet & the Compagnie des arts Français letter rack. Chromed metal consisting of a series of vertical blades of curved section resting on rectangul...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass, Chrome

Post-Modern Polished Brass Double Letter Tray "Emphasis 6000" by Eldon
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern polished brass double letter tray "Emphasis 6000" by Eldon, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures 11"W x 16.5"...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Murano "millefiori" Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Murano Multicolor Art Glass Paperweight unmarked, maker unknown, 1970's "Millefiori is a glasswork technique which produces distinctive decorative patterns on glassware. The term m...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Piscine Stoneware Vase Applied Silver, Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Gustavsberg #1029
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb bijou vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden from the Argenta collection. Decorated with a stylised fish of applied silver on mottled green stoneware. Circa 1930's Ba...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #4056 brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte C...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid century modern Murano Glass Paperweight, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
This beautiful Murano glass paperweight features a beutiful design with air bubbles suspended within the glass. The bottom is made of deep blue glass, where the bubbles are carefully...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Lorraine Austin for Snake Oil Paperweight, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Large round art glass paperweight features complex multicolored fused glass and controlled bubbles core, enclosed in clear glass in sommerso technique. Colorful fused glass elements...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso

Dansk Modernist Bear Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
DANSK Modernist Bear Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated by Gunnar Cyren. Vintage Dansk Modernist Bear Animal Figure Paperweight Silver Plated designed by Gunnar Cyren for Dansk designed in circa 1970s. Wonderful modernist silver plated bear...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Cartier Card and Envelope Set Mughal Majorie Merriweather Emerald Brooch Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Stationery Set Mughal Majorie Merriweather Emerald Brooch Design. Luxury Stationery Cartier cards and envelopes with a Cartier design of the Majorie Merriweather Post's Jewelry Emerald Gem Brooch. Note Cards Stationery, Fine Paper Goods, Designer Limited Edition by Maison Cartier. Cartier Famous Majorie Merriweather Post's Jewelry Emerald Mughal Period Gems, Art Deco Pendant Brooch Featured Engraved Note Cards and Silver Lined Envelopes Stationery, Fine Paper Goods, Great Desk Accessory stationery notes. Back of note card reads: Cartier London, 1923, altered by Cartier New York, 1928, Provenance: Majorie Merriweather Post, Cartier. Great condition circa late 20th century. Include in the box: 9 cards/ 10 envelopes. Emboss printed cardstock construction, the enveloppe are also embossed Cartier. Card: 4 5/8" x 6 1/4". Envelope : 6 3/4"W x 4 7/5"H. Box: 5.5 x 7.25 x 1.25 in. Since 1918, Cartier has offered personalized writing papers and invitations, as well as announcements and Holiday cards. Cartier’ s stationery and invitations are characterized by the finest 100% cotton fiber papers, fabulous designs, and impeccable engraving. About the jewel in the picture: This Historical Emerald Brooch is considered the "most beautiful jewelry of the twentieth century." The Indian-style brooch is composed of one hexagonal-shaped emerald, one oval-shaped emerald, five emerald drops, two pear-shaped emeralds, five round emeralds, sixty-five smaller emeralds, one pear-shaped diamond, and 801 round diamonds mounted in platinum. The horseshoe-shaped buckle at the top is equipped on the back with a hanger and clasp with pins so that the piece can be worn as a pendant for an emerald necklace or as a brooch. An arch-shaped armature is attached to the buckle. Both feature pavé-set diamond grounds studded with emeralds. Four lines of calibré-cut emeralds decorate where they join. At the center of the bottom of the buckle is a large Mughal emerald...
Category

Late 20th Century French Anglo Raj Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

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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