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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1920s
Stunning antique continental porcelain inkstand
Located in Ipswich, GB
Stunning antique continental porcelain inkstand having a stunning quality continental inkstand, rococo style with figural scenes and flowers covering the inkstand with two covered re...
Category

Early 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period bronze rocker ink blotter featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.63"W x 2.75"D x 2"H. Good original ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Doré Blotter Ends
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th C...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Equestrian Themed Silver Plate Inkwell.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique English Equestrian Themed Silver Plate Inkwell. Horseshoe oak base and crystal inkwell with a jockey’s cap.
Category

1920s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Traveling Inkwell Milk Churn Shape
Located in Vienna, AT
This figural traveling inkwell was made during the very early 1900s. It is made to look like a milk churn. We believe it is made of nickel plated brass; some of the plating has worn ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Ransomers Patent De La Rue 02 Antique Traveling Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful antique traveling inkwell, made of wood and steel. Great condition. By De La Rue.
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Beautiful Highly Decorative Letter Scale Antique, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful highly decorative letter scale. All written in German. With porcelain Enamel Face. Nice item for your writing desk or just as a display item at your cupboard.
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rare business card tray, solid bronze around 1900, Jugendstil Art Nouveau France
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful business card tray, made out of solid bronze, an original of the Jugendstil - Art Nouveau period, made around 1900. This nice historical object has a rectangular shape an...
Category

Early 1900s French Jugendstil Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Giant Cut Glass Sterling Silver Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
A very nice example of a large glass inkwell with silver marked lid with a hallmark ingraved. To the back of the lid under the hinge are initials a...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sitting Kewpie or The Thinker, Silvered Bronze Car Mascot Hood Ornament, 1910´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
"Sitting Kewpie" or "The Thinker", Car Mascot Hood Ornament, 1910´s. Made of silvered bronze, mounted over a green and white mrble base. Can de used as a desk paperweight. Originally appearing in the form of magazine illustrations between 1905 and 1909, Kewpie dolls...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Edwardian Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz Inkwell with Hinged Lid
Located in Vienna, AT
Edwardian, sterling silver and rose quartz Inkwell with hinged lid, Birmingham, England, 1912, Levi & Salamon - makers. "Egg and Dart" border around edge of lid and on bottom rim of ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Blue and Gold Porcelain Inkwell By Crown Stafforshire
Located in Vienna, AT
A Crown Staffordshire powder blue ground gold plated chinoiserie inkwell early 1900s. Excellent quality inkwell gold gilt Chinese scenes Printed mark and of the dealer T Goode & Co. ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Henrik Wigström 1908 Russia Saint Petersburg Enameled Snuff Box in 14kt Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A snuff gold box designed by Henrik Wigström. Beautiful neo classic snuff box, created in St, Petersburg Russia, at the workshop of Henrik Wigström, back in the 1908. This piece has been carefully crafted in the Russian imperial and Louis XVI styles, in solid yellow gold of 56 zolotnik (14kt) and embellished with applications of white enamel. Decorated around with garlands and intricates dotted patterns. Fitted with an invisible hinge and close perfectly well. Weight: 36.65 Grams, (23.49 Dwt). Measurements: 41 mm by 39 mm by 14 mm (1.61 x 1.53 x 0.55 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped on both parts with Russian marks; the kokoshnik post 1908 mark with the letter a for the city of Saint Petersburg, the maker's mark HW associated to Henrik Wigström inside an oval cartouche, scratched with his inventory numbers 86111 and the 56 zolotnik mark for the assay and warranty of the gold. Other Hallmarks: Stamped in the outside border, with German importation marks; the German Crown mark, the retailer mark AT inside an oval and the 585 mark for the assay and warranty of the gold. Henrik Immanuel Wigström born on 1862 and was a Finnish silver & goldsmith. He was one of the most important Fabergé workmasters along with Michael Perchin. Perchin was the head workmaster from 1886 until his death in 1903, when he was succeeded by his chief assistant Henrik Wigström. These two workmasters were responsible for almost all the imperial Easter eggs. Henrik Wigström was born in Ekenäs, Finland, and was apprenticed to a local Danish born goldsmith named Peter Madsén, a successful manufacturer of silverware who was familiar with the jewellery trade in the city of St. Petersburg, as at one time he had had a workshop there. Once in Madsén's employment, his master's trade with Russia, as well as his numerous business contacts here, brought him to work in St. Petersburg. Goldsmith Werner Elfström employed Wigström as a apprentice on his arrival in the capital in 1875. Wigström became assistant in 1884, at the age of 22, to Perchin, whose shop at that time was already working exclusively for Fabergé. Wigström became head workmaster at Fabergé after Perchin's death in 1903. The number of craftsmen in Wigström's workshop diminished drastically with the outbreak of World War I. By 1918, the Revolution forced the complete closing of the House of Fabergé. Aged 56, Wigström retreated almost empty-handed to his summer house, on Finnish territory, and died at Terijoki in 1923. His art is similar to Perchin's but tends to be in the Louis XVI, Empire, or neo-classical style. Nearly all the Fabergé hardstone animals...
Category

Early 1900s Russian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Initial Stamp, Art Deco, 1920s
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful and authentically preserved stamp for sealing wax.
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rare Typewriter ADLER No7, Germany 1900s
Located in Praha, CZ
The first typewriter of German production - rare Fully functional. The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age of use. Made in Germany-number se...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Art Nouveau Brass Ink Blotter
Located in New York, NY
A brass Art Nouveau period ink blotter. Beautiful Art Nouveau details captured in blotters' handle. Use for its intended purpose or as a standalone piece decorative object on a desk,...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Asprey & Co. London Oak & Tooled Racing Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Desk 1920s
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Luxurious, Asprey & Co. London (Royal Warrant) Oak & Tooled Racing Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Table Made in England in the 1920s. Item is sold complete with a Burgundy tooled red leather desk set also from Aspreys. It's a very attractive item befit with an aluminium desk calendar, letter opener and two vertical pen rests. The rectangular and hinged two panel top encloses a green leather writing surface which reveals itself when opened from the top, item is raised on square tapering legs. Desk comes with two original large glass inkwells...
Category

1920s English Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Mahogany, Leather, Oak

Ronson England 1929 Art Deco Black and Creme Lacquer Rondelight Table Lighter
Located in Miami, FL
A stainless steel lighter designed by Ronson. Very beautiful desk Rondelight lighter, created in London England by The Ronson Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1929. This is a very unusual lighter designed with wonderful geometric patterns and crafted in solid steel with a main spherical body similar to a billiard ball. Embellished with black and creme lacquer creating a great contrast with the polished steel. It is extremely well made and solid construction with very nice care and attention to all details. This surely is a very decorative piece and a great conversation item in gorgeous and exceptional preserved condition. Weight: 254.6 Grams, (163.21 Dwt). Measurements: 57 mm by 57 mm by 76 mm (2.25 x 0.25 x 3.0 Inches). Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "RONSON TRADEMARK MADE IN ENGLAND RONDELIGHT BRIT PAT. 621570 FILL HERE RONSON The Ronson lighter company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis V...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Vintage 1920s Industrial Vulcanized Office Factory Desk Wastebasket Trash Can
Located in Hyattsville, MD
American vulcanized fiber company factory office trash can, small to medium in size. The cleanest example that we have ever found, even with paper label to the outer bottom as well. ...
Category

1920s American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Natural Fiber

Chinese Abacus by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese abacus dating from 1912 to 1949 with The Abacus book by Jesse Dilson. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two black...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Antique French Gilt Bronze Lion Head Form Ashtray / Catchall with Glass Eyes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and rare french lion head form ashtray or catchall having glass eyes. Very unique piece with some wear and minor loss to verso - not observed whe...
Category

Early 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Antique Art Nouveau Silver Inkwell, Letter Opener, Dip Pen and Seal Set, in Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s travel set or desktop accessories inkwell, dip pen, letter opener and seal. Made of silver (marked 800) and crystal glass. Nice addition to your writing desk or j...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Vintage Ship Porthole Wing Dog Bolt Brass Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage ship porthole wing dog bolt brass paperweight, circa 1940s. The piece has a well worn brass patina and measures 3.25"W x 1.5"...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Silverplated Fox-themed Inkwell by James Deakin & Sons, England
Located in Leesburg, VA
James Deakin & Sons Ltd. Sheffield, England; ca. 1897-1935 Silver plated copper and glass Approximate size: 11 (w) x 6 (h) x 6 (d) in. This lovely silver-plated inkwell features an...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate, Copper

Art Deco Spelter Sculpture, Signed: Prof. R. Volpi 2359 Made in Belgium
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Deco His studio was located in Schaerbeek (Belgium), where he worked as a sculptor for a company called "Carli et Fréres". Modeled and cast as two Two Geese with a Child Beautif...
Category

1920s Belgian Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Spelter

Marchak Paris 1920 Art Deco Translucent Agate Desk Tray In Gilt Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Desk tray designed by Marchak Paris. An unusual and very rare desk tray, created in Paris France by the luxury house of Marchak during the art deco period, back in the early 1920. T...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Lalique Crystal Mascot Rooster Tete De Coq Small Bust/Paperweight
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Lalique Crystal Mascot Rooster Tete de Coq small bust/paperweight. It depicts a very well done clear crystal rooster. It has the Lalique Fran...
Category

Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Plate, Olof Ahlberg, Schreuder & Olsson, Museum, Jugendstil/Art Nouveau, Sweden
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful huge plate designed by Olof Ahlberg in organic forms of the Art Nouveau, the design is datable to the year 1905. The pewter plate is masterfully ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Jugendstil Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Charles Thomae 1925 Art Deco Box with Red and Black Lacquer in Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco lacquer box designed by Thomas. An impressive, beautiful and colorful box, created in Attleboro Massachuchet by the Charles Thomae Company, ...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Fine Antique Onyx and Bronze Desk Ink Stand Pen Rest Faux Book and Blotter Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and antique onyx and bronze desk set featuring a sculpture of Rodin's Thinker done by Hungarian sculptor Andor Ruff. From the AskArt website, "Andor Ruff was born in 1885, in Taksony, Hungary. Ruff studied in Budapest and Brussels. After that, he lived and worked as a sculptor, landscape painter, and draftsman in Budapest. Andor Ruff passed away in 1951." The oval shaped, double, bronze mounted inkwell features the sculpture as well as a pen rest or vide poche. In addition to the inkwell, the set also includes an onyx and bronze blotter and an onyx and bronze box in the style of a book. The 'pages' are in bronze in a deckled style, the spine, also in bronze, features a 'leather' styling and the 'hard cover' of the book features a monogram in bronze. According to the Crystal Council website, "Green Onyx is associated with the planet Mercury, which is known to represent intelligence, elevated brain power, and enhanced memory. It is meant for anyone who wants to speak truth from the heart. This mineral opens up and actives the heart, in alignment to the brain, producing honesty and powerful realizations." Seems rather fitting for a desk set, wouldn't you agree? I can only imagine the beautiful and heartfelt letters you will pen thanks to this set. And the sculpture of Auguste Rodin's Thinker - well, that really sets the tone. The measurements listed are for the figural double inkwell...
Category

Early 20th Century European Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Art Nouveau Letter Opener, Fish
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener with Fish. So beautiful, very nice condition!
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Pelican Hood Ornament / Paperweight, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Max Le Verrier / Artus Bird Hood Ornament / Paperweight - France. Hard to find circa 1925 famous Pelican by Artus. (Pseudonym for Max...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal

Tiffany & Co. Studios New York Bronze and Abalone Desk Set
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning set of solid brass Tiffany & Co desk ink well notepad case and 4 corners for desk pad all in amazing condition came from a high end estate in P...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Restored Typewriter/ Remington Portable, USA, 1910s
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional. The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the ag...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Restored Typewriter/ Underwood, USA, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Inkwell, Art Nouveau, Pen Tray, by WMF, circa 1910
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful inkwell, Art Nouveau, by WMF. Nice authentic condition. .
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Austrian Jugendstil Vienna Bronze Sculptural Paperweight by Carl Fiala, ca. 1910
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT This elegant Austrian Jugenstil sculptural desk paperweight depicts some fantastic half-human creature from the underwater world, riding a snail. Signed C. Fiala, dark-green co...
Category

1910s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Rare jugendstil writing set by Erhard & Sohne Germany
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Rare jugendstil writing set by Erhard & Sohne Germany including letter holder 10x13x6cm, letter dryer 15x8x6cm and knife 18cm long.
Category

Early 1900s German Jugendstil Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Art Deco Bronze Doré and Inlaid Abalone Notepad Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period bronze doré and inlaid abalone notepad holder By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, early 20th century Measures: 4.5"W x 7.5"D x 0.5"H. Good origin...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

English Lyre-Shaped Book Lectern or Music Stand of Brass
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English table top lectern or missal book and music stand of brass from the Edwardian era, featuring a pierced lyre-shaped reading top or back ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Josef Ekberg, Gustavsberg Of Sweden, Shaped Lustre Vase With Hand Applied Gilt
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
A super little vase glazed with an intriguing sea green lustre and hand decorated with gilt decoration by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden Wonderful Ekberg craftsmanship Signed a...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Tiffany Studios New York 'Zodiac' Bronze Doré Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period gilt bronze desk letter rack featuring a Zodiac design By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, early 20th century Measures: 9.5"W x 2.5"D x 6.25"H Go...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Austrian Art Deco Silver Plate & Cut Glass Casket or Table Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Austrian casket or table box. With a silver plate mount, a beveled glass insert top, and with a mold blown and cut body with a facete...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Tiffany Studios New York Art Deco Bronze Doré and Abalone Notepad Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco period bronze doré and inlaid abalone notepad holder By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, early 20th century Measures: 4.75"W x 7.5"D x 0.5"H. Good origi...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Brush Pen Holder Blue Color Cloisoné 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Brush holders, or pen holders, from China made of Cloisoné Ceramic at the beginning of the 20th century. The Decor Patern are Fowers. The Color is blue.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Antique French Brass Inkwell, Shoe, Early 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful brass inkwell, which shows a antique shoe. France, around 1910.
Category

Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Bronze Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco period bronze inkwell featuring Zodiac designs By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.13"W x 4.13"D x 2"H. Good orig...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

C1920s Vintage Globe by Philips
By Frederick Philips
Located in London, GB
14 inch terrestrial Globe on a stylish onyx base This Desktop Globe Dates C1920s to C1930s Minor Signs of wear and Tear
Category

1920s British Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx

Desk Card Holder, France, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Desk card holder, France, 1940s Golden Spelter, one of the small studs on the front is missing. Lacks in the gilding, as evidenced by the descriptive photographs.
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Spelter

French Art Nouveau Bronze Card Tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Art Nouveau Bronze card tray or Pin Tray, Vide - Poche, 1920s This absolutely adorable card tray or pin tray, Vide - Poche, is made of bronze ...
Category

1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Perfectly Ordinary Lustre Octagonal Scarab Bowl Daisy Makeig-Jones Wedgwood 1920
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely delightful and delicate Daisy Makeig-Jones for Wedgwood, octagonal bone china lustre bowl. The interior is decorated with mother-of-pearl colo...
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

William Hornby - Patented Silver Seal Stamp - Retailed by Asprey in 1902
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1902 by William Hornby, and retailed originally by Asprey of London, this handsome, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Seal Stamp, i...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

French 1905 Edwardian Hexagonal Snuff Box Sterling Silver with Guilloche Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
A French snuff box from the Edwardian Period. Very beautiful hexagonal box, created in Paris France during the Edwardian period, back in the 1905. ...
Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

French 1920s Desk Organizer with Six Drawers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
French 1920s desk organizer with six drawers.
Category

Early 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Coffee and Tea Tin K. Tiktak's Amsterdam Groningen, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Coffee and Tea Tin from the Early 20th Century. Designed and made for K.Tiktak Coffee and Tea Factory, which was located in Amsterdam and Groningen Holland , The Netherlands. A beautiful dark green Lithographic Tin - Decorative Box. The lid of the box is loose and the little handle is lost, but due the age that's normal. The beautiful silver Lithografic design of the Factory Building is still in very good condition. An old coffee and tea container, a shop storage container, a shop counter tin which is a great decorative box, a collectible Coffee Tin and a decorative object. Tiktak's Coffee History started in 1870 and they became famous for their afternoon tea and coffee. They are known for coffee with a soft taste. This Dutch Company survived all the years and still produces the finest coffee and tea. Great decorative item - home decor - home decoration - gift idea - coffee collectables...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Industrial Desk Accessories

Materials

Tin

Antique Initial Stamp F.J, Art Nouveau, circa 1910
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful and authentically preserved stamp for sealing wax with the initials F.J
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York "Zodiac" Match Box Holder
Located in New York, NY
A gilt bronze “Zodiac” match box holder by Tiffany Studios New York. The match box holder features intricate pseudo-Celtic patterning interspersed wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Scandinavian Art Nouveau Hammered Brass Desk Letter Holder from Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Swedish hammered brass desk letter or napkin holder, Art Nouveau design, circa early-20th century, Sweden. Piece is hammered brass with an Art Nouveau leaf-design. Marked...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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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