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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Victorian
Style: Arts and Crafts
Magnifying Glass on Stand, 19th Century
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Magnifying glasses are already recorded as far back as the Ancient Greeks. Troughout history they were reserved for scientists, nobility and monks. During the Renaissance and culmina...
Category
19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Softwood, Walnut
Antique Victorian Staunton Chess Pieces Set + Italian Marble Giltwood Chessboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely rare original Victorian Staunton chess set with fine Italian marble giltwood chessboard
A trul...
Category
19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Glass Inkstand / Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form.
This Victorian inkstand is plain and embellished with an applied moulded border to the rim.
The surface of this exceptional example of antique silverware incorporates two elongated oval recesses, composing pen wells.
This antique hallmarked silver inkstand is supported by four impressive cast bracket style feet embellished with scroll and leaf decoration.
The body of the inkstand incorporates two circular ink bottle receivers protruding from either side and conjoined with a central rectangular stamp box via two impressive elevated scrolling leaf decorated brackets.
The impressive large glass ink bottles each have a compressive spherical form, ornamented with cut glass decoration.
The lower portion of each bottle is fitted with a hallmarked sterling silver mount/foot, accented with a screwfit attachment, allowing the piece to stand securely in situ; this fitment is a fine feature and indicates the high quality of the piece.
The upper portion retains the original hallmarked mount and hinged cover encircled with chased volute scrolling leaf motifs.
Each ink bottle is surmounted with an impressive cast finial modelled in the form of two opposing masks.
The central sterling silver stamp box...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H
Good vintage condition, ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Art Deco Zodiac Pen Brush
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze pen brush or pen wipe featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Ce...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Bronze Doré Desk Calendar or Picture Frame
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern desk calendar frame or picture frame
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the back)
New York, USA, Early...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style rocker blotter
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Victorian Quality Papier-Mache Desk Set
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian Quality Papier-Mache Desk Set inlaid with mother of pearl, pair of original glass ink wells and pen tray standing on bun feet
Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze desk letter rack featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Centur...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Letter Opener
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze "Zodiac" letter opener
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10.5"W x 1"D x 0.38"H.
Good original vintage ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Gilt Bronze and Marble Inkwell
By G. None
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage 19th century inkwell is beautifully designed with a detailed sculpted doré' bronze reminiscent the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The figure is costumed in a draped g...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Notepad Holder, Circa 1910
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
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze desk pen tray featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10.13"W x 3.13"D x 0...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
English Victorian Boar's Tooth Magnifying Glass
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian silver-plate magnifying glass with a boar's tooth handle (silver marking/chip to glass)
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bone
1900s Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Inkwell
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Inkwell With glass insert. Clearly marked on the bottom Tiffany Studios, New York, 842. 4“ x 4“ x 2“ tall. Wonderful original condition with on...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Bronze Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze Graduate pattern desk letter rack or letter sorter with verdigris green patina
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
N...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Bronze Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze rocker ink blotter featuring the iconic Graduate pattern in verdigris green patina
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.88"D x 2"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze pen tray featuring Zodiac designs
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10"W x 3.25"D x 0.38"H
G...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
19th Century English Gold Washed Sheffield Silverplate Equestrian Themed Inkwell
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Unique Victorian English silverplate inkwell in the form of a horseshoe with hooves and lids with riding caps. Apparently unsigned. I unique collectible in ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
'Lover's Knot' Double Picture Frame, Polished Brass in The Style of J.H. France
Located in Verviers, BE
Original Victorian period double photograph frame (or miniature frame) with classical Victorian 'Lover's Knot' design. Typical frame for wedding photographs. Made of solid cast brass...
Category
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique English Onyx, Brass and Velvet Twin Photo Frame
Located in London, GB
This elegant photo frame was created in England in the late 19th century, during the reign of Queen Victoria. The item stands on three brass legs, forming an easel support. The frame...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Bronze Hand Inkstand / Inkwell Desk Piece
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A bronze sculpture of a hand with an open palm. Resting on the palm is a bronze object that resembles a traditional spinning top. The hand appears to be life-sized (Small Children s...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Arts & Crafts Roycroft Hammered Copper Desk Top Envelope Holder Early Mark
By Roycroft
Located in San Diego, CA
early mark hand hammered desk top envelope holder nice detail and patina rare piece from 1910, hard to find item.
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Copper
19th Century Victorian Sterling Silver Gilt Posy Holder
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver posy holder; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
T...
Category
1860s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Victorian Slate Paperweight of Hand style of Odd Fellows Hands Offs Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful very old professional office relic with a cheeky message; Hands off! Private papers. Reminiscent of the odd fellows Victorian Era designs.
Category
1890s American Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Slate
Copper Arts and Crafts Letter Opener in the Style of Roycroft
By Roycroft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful example of Arts and Crafts Hammered Copper. Hand-crafted classic design with a hammered texture; a welcome addition to the Arts and Crafts space.
The letter opener is ...
Category
20th Century Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Copper
A Blue John Paperweight, late 19th century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The parquetry Blue John Pattern within a rectangular black stone surround
Category
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Quartz, Marble
Antique Swiss Arts & Crafts Brown Green Blue White Thoune Enamel Ceramic Jug
By Thoune
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Arts & Crafts Majolica art pottery jug, made by the Swiss factory Thun/Thoune, circa 1910s. This jug, entirely handcrafted and hand-painted, is decorated with a modern Eastern accent...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Earthenware, Majolica
English Antique Ink Eraser/Letter Opener with Sterling Handle
Located in Sheffield, MA
Although the purpose was once for "erasing" ink, this antique English piece can very well be used as a letter opener. It probably did serve a dual purpose way back when. The eraser...
Category
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Steel
English Victorian Brass and Crystal Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass and crystal shell shaped inkwell with coral design details.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century XL Brass 7 Pound Weight Scale Apothecary Pharmacy Paperweight Desk
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Heavy and very large, 7 pound scale weight, hourglass form.
Category
Late 19th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Graduate Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Graduate" pattern pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measure...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Victorian Cut Glass and Sterling Silver Desk Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian cut glass and English sterling silver mounted desk inkwell, part of our antique silver and gl...
Category
1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Victorian Mahogany Double Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian mahogany and brass inlaid trim double inkwell with crystal wells having copper top lids and letter holder backrail.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Copper
19th Century Parlor Kaleidoscope by C.G. Bush & Co. of Providence, RI
By Charles G. Bush & Co
Located in Nantucket, MA
C.G. Bush & Co. parlor kaleidoscope on a turned mahogany pedestal with splayed legs, the cylindrical body of black colored textured cardstock with ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional sterling silver inkwell was presented to Henry Morton Stanley, the famed Welsh-American journalist, politician and explorer, on the occasion of his marriage to Dorothy Tennant. The inkwell was a royal gift from the Prince of Wales, the future King George V, and the Princess of Wales. The charming inkstand was designed by Walter & John Barnard for the royal silversmiths Elkington & Co., and no detail was spared in its creation. Each inkwell bears Stanley’s monogram, while the crest of the Prince and Princess adorns the delicately pierced tray. The inscription reads, “To H. M. Stanley on the occasion of his marriage / From the Prince & Princess of Wales / July 12th, 1880.”
Born in Wales, Henry Morton Stanley’s lifetime of adventure began at the young age of 15 when he crossed the Atlantic aboard a merchant vessel and jumped ship in New Orleans. The young orphan was taken in by a local merchant named Henry Morton Stanley, whose name he took as his own. Stanley began a career as a journalist and was commissioned by the New York Herald to go to Central Africa in search of the famous missionary David Livingstone...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Anthroposophical Rudolf Steiner Hand-Carved Wood Vide Poche Catch All ca. 1930s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This unique hand-carved wooden vide poche or catch-all tray is crafted in the anthroposophical style associated with Rudolf Steiner. Dating to the 1930s-1950s, it features a deeply textured chip-carved interior with an organic, flowing pattern, contrasted by smooth, rounded edges. Made of light-toned wood, likely linden wood, the tray exhibits a warm patina and fine craftsmanship typical of Waldorf or anthroposophical design principles. A rare and functional piece, it serves as an elegant entryway organizer...
Category
1930s Swiss Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze and Slag Glass Desk Calendar Frame
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze and slag glass "Grapevine" pattern desk calendar frame or picture frame
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the back)
New York,...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Oak Desk Top Book Trough
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Oak Desk Top Book Trough
A useful piece made in dark oak and ideal to hold a few books on your desk or bedside
The trough is 6” high, 18” wide and 9” deep
NG287
Category
19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
Antique Cloisonné-Emaille Desk Set, Bronze Doré, France, Circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional Enameled Desk Set of a box, seal stamp and a pocket watch stand, France circa 1880.
Beautiful Cloisonné- enamel work in bold blue, turquoise, red and beige colours.
Meas...
Category
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Enamel
American Victorian Walnut Cased Standing Magnifying Glass
Located in Hudson, NY
This large American Victorian standing magnifying glass is encased in a carved and turned walnut frame and is adjustable to height with a wooden screw set device. Made circa 1880 the...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Walnut
English Brass and Mahogany Yacht Binnacle Southampton, Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope motif base, oval glass viewing port, with the original removable brass vented side light and carrying handle. Binnacle is fitted with an interior compass submerged in alcohol signed...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
19th Centry Austro-Hungarian Bronze Lizard Desk Dish
Located in London, GB
A fantastic quality Austro Hungarian bronze lizard, realistically modelled on a polished oyster shell, the lizard has beautiful coloured glass inset eyes.
Category
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
English Victorian Brass Owl Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian brass owl inkwell on rectangular tray.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Art and Crafts Cuts Bronze and Copper Cigars
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Art and crafts cuts bronze and copper cigars
Pelican motif
short rare cigar Circa 1920
Very good condition
natural wear.
Category
1920s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
French Victorian Green Marble Inkwell with Tiger
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian green marble double inkwell with bronze trim and centered figure of tiger.
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Cranberry Glass Inkwell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Victorian English sterling silver and red cranberry glass inkwell; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection
This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver inkwell has a circular shaped domed form.
The body of this exceptional antique inkwell is embellished with impressive pierced and embossed scrolling leaf decoration, accented with pensile, baluster style bead motifs.
The ornamentation to the body incorporates five oval cartouches; four are ornamented with an embossed male profile: two bearded males and two in a soldier's helmet.
The cartouche to the anterior surface of the inkwell features the contemporary engraved crest of a stag encompassed with a garter and the motto 'God and my Honour'.
The intricate sterling silver body of the inkwell incorporates five conical shaped pen receivers.
The swept waisted upper portion of this antique inkwell is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover, ornamented with engraved simplified leaf decoration.
The cover is surmounted with an impressive embossed three-dimensional bust of a male figure in robes.
This antique inkwell retains the original and substantial red cranberry glass ink bottle liner, with a cut glass star motif to the underside; the cranberry glass liner is highly desirable.
This exceptional silver and glass inkwell is supported by five swept feet, ornamented with a continuation of scrolling leaf and circular motif decoration from the body.
This exceptional example of Victorian silverware, crafted by the renowned London silversmith Joseph Angell II, is the finest example of its type
Condition
This antique ink bottle...
Category
1850s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Six-Piece Desk Set, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Art & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" patinated bronze desk set. The six-piece set includes: picture frame, stamp box, inkwell, pen tray, match stand, and set of fo...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Victorian Sterling Silver Inkstand
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection
This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver desk standish has a naturalistic-shaped form.
The surface of the stand is embellished with impressive bright cut engraved scrolling leaf and floral ornamentation, incorporating a scroll bordered cartouche bearing the contemporary bright cut engraved crest of an elephant's head.
The stand is further ornamented with scrolling designs encompassing an oval recess, composing a pen well.
The rim of the body of the sterling silver inkstand...
Category
1840s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
English Victorian Papier-Mache Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian papier mache rectangular inkwell with gold stenciled and floral painted decoration with a small center box between 2 square sh...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
French Arts and Crafts Oak Stationary Box with Tambour
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Arts and Crafts oak stationary box with Tambour
This very attractive French Box is made in Oak in the Arts and Crafts style, it has a...
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
Victorian Edwardian 1900 Desk Inkwell Box in Faux Tortoise Shell and Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian Edwardian inkwell box
Beautiful and very attractive inkwell, created in England during the Victorian and the Edwardian periods, back in the 1...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Inkstand, London 1901, Gallery Border
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1901 by Ernest Damant, this striking, Victorian, antique sterling silver ink stand, features shaped and pierced gallery borders, and two glass ink wells...
Category
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver and Glass Inkstand / Desk Standish
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass inkstand / desk standish; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection
This magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular shaped form.
This Victorian inkstand...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Thomas Hudson Barometric Ink Well Stand Pen Quill Holder 6"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century library writing barometric / barometer pen holder and ink stand, Circa 1860s-1880s. Made of brass featuring pewter inkwell with glass dome reservoir and slots f...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Pewter
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.