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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Late 20th Century
Period: 1980s
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

Plastic, Faux Leather

Cartier Paris 1970 Wallet Minaudiere in Iridescent Lizard 18k Gold & Sapphire
Located in Miami, FL
A wallet minaudiere designed by Cartier Paris. An exceptional, beautiful and extremely rare wallet minaudiere, created in Paris France by the luxury house of Cartier, back in the 1970. This incredible piece has been specially crafted for the exclusive Cartier department "S" of "Select de Cartier", in genuine iridescent lizard leather with accents made in 18 karats yellow gold and mount in a bezel with a round cabochon cut of a natural blue sapphire. Has a measurements of 101.6 mm by 146 mm (4 x 5.75 Inches) and the Size of Euro or Dollar currency banknotes perfectly fit inside. Stamped with the maker's cartouche, French hallmark and signed, "Cartier PARIS MADE IN FRANCE". History: On the 19th of June, 1920, the House of Cartier in Paris created a collection of accessories so special they resembled jewels in their precious materials and expert craftsmanship. This collection was known as "Cartier S...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold

Vintage Murano Blown Glass Bright Green Apple Paperweight 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Murano Blown Glass Bright Green Apple with Green Stem Paperweight. Beautiful blown glass apple in such a gorgeous vibrant emerald green. Delightful figurative art glass out of Murano Italy. This piece has a brilliant coloring and wonderful artistry in design. Hand blown Murano glass green...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Architectural Sculpture by Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, Italy 1986
Located in London, GB
Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) was an Italian architect and designer during the 20th century. He is perhaps most celebrated as the founder of the Memphis Group, famous for its colourful...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

1980s Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "Gutemberg", Memphis Style
Located in Milano, IT
1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch twin phone "Gutemberg" in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon for its amazing design....
Category

1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Bvlgari Roma Classic Desk Large Picture Frame in .925 Sterling Silver and Wood
Located in Miami, FL
Picture frame designed by Bvlgari. Beautiful desk picture frame, designed with geometric patterns by the jewelry house of Bvlgari. Made up in a rectangular classic shape and carefully crafted in Florence Italy with a very strong and solid construction in .925/.999 sterling silver. Finished with very high polish and mounted with cedar wood parts. It is fitted at the reverse with one hinged retractable feet for stand and a tempered glass with beveled borders. Measurements: 233 mm by 284 mm (9.16 x 11.12 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the sterling silver assay mark and signed, "BVLGARI STERLING .925 *176FI". Bvlgari, was founded in the late 19th century by Sotirio Bulgari, who was born in 1857 in Greece and was descended from a talented family of silversmiths. In 1884 he opened his first shop in Rome on the Via Sistina, and then in 1905 he moved to the actual flag's store in Via dei Condotti. Upon Sotirio’s death in 1932 his sons, Giorgio and Costantino, took over the business. They are credited with creating the highly distinctive ‘Bvlgari’ style...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Italian modern Square drawing roll holder in orange metal sheet by Neolt, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Square drawing roll holder in orange metal sheet by Neolt, 1980s Drawing roll holder in curved sheet metal painted bright orange. There are 4 square-based compartments with rounded corners for the drawing tubes...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Beautiful Fish Reef and Octopus Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a octopus holding a reef with fish aquarium. Colors are a different shades of blue, white, black and clea...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Rainbow Midcentury Teak Paper Tray
Located in Countryside, IL
Rainbow midcentury Teak Paper Tray This paper tray measures: 9.75 wide x 15.25 deep x 5.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what...
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Pen Holder by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon, 1970s. It is made in brown glazed ceramic. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be cons...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

1980s Gorgeous Swatch Phone "Pick me Up", Memphis Style
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Original astonishing Swatch phone "Pick me Up". In very excellent condition. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon in the 80s for its am...
Category

1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Fountain Pen Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold Nib Fire-Enamel Art Deco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Fountain p en in 925/1000 sterling silver and 14 kt gold nib, with fire-enamelled Art Deco design. Diameter mm. 11, length cm. 14. Silver weight gr. 53. . Designed by Giorgio Salimbe...
Category

1970s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Art Deco Aviation Interest Chrome and Frosted Glass Table Lamp
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Art Deco Aviation Interest Chrome And Frosted Glass Table Lamp Modelled as an aeroplane with a moulded frosted glass shade, on a chrome plated stand.
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Catalan Sunset, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wool, Cotton

English Wedgwood Jasperware Scallop Seashell Teal Blue & White Box, circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware small oval box with scallop seashell design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, England. This piece is a...
Category

1980s English Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware

Set of 3 Calligraphy Brushes Blue and White
Located in Somis, CA
A set of 3 beautiful porcelain handle Chinese calligraphy brushes. The handles with hand painted round and oval porcelain balls of longevity motifs and basketweave, in classic, timeless blue and white...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Ritz Carlton Osaka Porcelain Jewelry Dish
Located in New York, NY
A dark blue porcelain jewelry dish from The Ritz Carlton, Osaka, Japan, circa late-20th century. Iconic Ritz Carlton Lion head and crown at center, 'Osaka...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Polished Brass Bull and Bear Bookends Paperweights Wall Street
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage polished brass bull and bear bookends paperweights Wall Street cedor. Great on any desk the polished brass bull and bear on stitched faux embossed leather stands bookends or paperweights. Great decorative brass book ends. Wall Street bull and bear broker decorative desk decoration. These stunning vintage Wall Street...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vienna Art Nouveau Lady Figure Bronze Letter Opener
Located in Danville, CA
Art Nouveau lady figure bronze letter opener Here is a Art Nouveau bronze letter opener. Front of handle depicts a Nouvea Woman Dis...
Category

Late 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Brutalist Metal Task Lamp in the Style of Gino Sarfatti and Rodchenko
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful brutalist metal task lamp. This lamp is styled after Gino Sarfatti's Rodchenko inspired lamp. Inspired by Aleksandr Rodchenko's sta...
Category

Late 20th Century American Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Gucci 1970 Milano Very Rare Vintage Horse Bit Trinket Tray in 24kt Gild Brass
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare pieces designed by Gucci. An iconic trinket single dish-tray designed by the house of Gucci in Milan Italy, back in the 1970s. It is very heavy and was crafted in solid brass with a 24 kt gold gilding. Have the double G, for the Guccio Gucci logo, made in nickel. It is signed Gucci and have the original leather undersides mat. Signed over the tawny leather, in gold letters, "MADE IN ITALY BY GUCCI ". The measures fully extended are, 32 mm by 89 mm by 152 mm (1.25 x 3.5 x 6 Inches). Very elegant, rare and a great item for any serious collector. They are in gorgeous impeccable condition with no trace of use, no dents or bad marks. It is accompanied by the original Gucci green dust bag. Gucci, was founded in 1921 in the Tuscany region of Italy, in Florence , when Guccio Gucci bought his own shop on 7, Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence, Azienda Individuale Guccio Gucci, where he sold imported leather luggage. He also opened a small workshop to have his own leather goods made by local craftsmen. Eventually, a larger workshop had to be acquired to house Gucci's 60 artisans. In 1935 the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini led the League of Nations to impose a trade embargo on Italy. Leather became scarce, pushing Guccio Gucci to introduce other fabrics in the composition of the products, such as raffia, wicker, wood, linen and, jute. The rombi motif, a Gucci signature, was created. The Gucci's developed a new tanning technique to produce "cuoio grasso", which became a Gucci trademark. In 1937, Gucci launched its handbags. Under the direction of Aldo Gucci...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Brass

Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 2 by George Nelson, 1984
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare postmodern cream, brown, and navy checkerboard table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Very few signs...
Category

1980s North American Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Roger Bezombes Signed Bronze Resin Sculpture Paperweight, France, 1984
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Roger Bezombes France, 1984 Sculpture / paper weight made from Artcurial. Bronze and resin. Signed and numbered from an edition of 5000. H 16.5 x W 22 x D 2.5 cm.
Category

1980s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Pink Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Pink Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Purple Textured Macrame Wall Tapestry, Spain, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Superb macramé wall tapestry, spain, 1970s. Large format. Handcrafted tapestry composed of different textures and materials creating unique...
Category

1970s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage 1970s Roger Bezombes Bronze Starfish Medallion Table Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Florentine Bronze medal from the Monnaie de Paris (cornucopia hallmark from 1880). Minted around 1971. This is a Starfish like form Paperweight by Fr...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Genie 1970s Retro Brown Leather Push Butoon Telephone
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful vintage brown leather covered telephone with intricate stitching and brass plate around the push buttons. Made by Genie and designed in the late-1970s in the USA. This mode...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Rabinet D'Enfert Paris 1970 Rare Desk Set Duo 24kt Gold Gilding & Silver-Plate
Located in Miami, FL
A desk set duo designed by Ravinet D'Enfert. Fabulous pieces, made in Paris France by the very exclusive luxury accessories house of Rabinet D'Enfert, back in the 1970's. The work...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Silver, Silver Plate

Emerald Green Art Glass Ball Sphere Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Emerald green art glass ball sphere, in the modern style, with a tropical grass or palm-like design, circa late-20th century. Piece is a ...
Category

Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Murano Hand Blown Paperweight Yellow Flower with Blue Base Collectible Art Glass
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Murano Hand Blown Paperweight Yellow Flower with Blue Collectible Art Glass. Beautiful heavy large glass paperweight featuring yellow ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Robert Indiana Style Love Paperweight or Small Sculpture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A paperweight in polished metal after Robert Indiana. Likely purchased at MoMA. This piece would add great modernist character to any desk or office environment.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Mirror Panel Waste Basket, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible 1980s waste bin with a unique design involving slender panels of mirror conjoined together around the entire body of the bin. Metal body with "P & K Products Company, Elgi...
Category

1980s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Brass Madonna's face, Italy, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Face of the Madonna in brass, Italy, 1980s. Small signs of the time.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Large Murano Decorative Blown Glass Wrapped Blue Hard Candy Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage large Murano decorative blown glass wrapped blue hard candy paperweight. Vintage oversized Murano blue blown glass candy sculpture of candy wra...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Set of 3 Vintage Dunhill Pens, German, Fountain, Fibre Tip, 14k Gold Nib, Desk
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of vintage Dunhill pens. A German, gilt metal fountain and felt-tip pen, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Upon purchase of the...
Category

Late 20th Century German Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Noel BC Chrome and Brass Metal Desk Set and Box, Italy 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian designer Noel BC Italy designed this modernist desk accessory set in the 1970s. The set is built with a rectangular box and a contact book. The pieces boast a geometric shape with chrome and gilt brass design in silver and gold colors. The interior of the box is in black Lucite or acrylic. The contact book is in immaculate condition and has never been used. The best way to keep your contacts in a safe place is the old-fashioned way. The desktop set...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda White Crystal, 1990s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda white crystal paperweight or votive candle holder. Kosta Boda white crystal candle holder by Anna Ehrner, 1990s A Kosta Boda votive...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Minimalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Squared Lucite and Chrome Pocket Emptier in Dior Style, France 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning midcentury Lucite and chrome squared valet tray or ashtray. This wonderful item was produced in France in the style of Christian Dior in 1970. The pocket emptier is lovely because of the beautiful straight lines and the chromed metal central part, making it look like a cube of ice with a floating rounded chromed plate in the middle. A wonderful example of design from the 1970s, both for the fusion of materials and colours. The chromed plate can be moved, changing the shape of the item. A gorgeous item that will enhance a midcentury-style living room, studio or entrance hall. Christian Dior was founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior. It currently designs and retails leather goods, fashion accessories, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, fragrance, makeup, and skincare products, while also maintaining its tradition as a creator of haute-couture under the Christian Dior Couture division. The Christian Dior label remains largely for women's offerings, although the company also operates the Dior Homme division for men and the baby Dior...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

VINTAGE 1970's GLOBE LAMP FULLY REWIRED AND READY TO GO RETRO COOL!
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage globe lamp which has been fully rewired A very good ...
Category

1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Set of Three Sculptural "Jax"
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of three sculptural "jax" bookends, door stops, or paperweights, etc. In the style of Bill Curry for Design Line. circa 1970s. Measures: 1 - black larger : 7 1/2" x 7 1/2". ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Sergio Asti Black & White Veined Marble Bowl for Up & Up
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This black and white veined marble bowl was made by Atelier International for Up & Up and designer Sergio Asti. It is heavy and solid and makes for a great spot to store common housh...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Belgian Black Marble

Vintage White Elephant Figurine Pen Holder, Jaipur, Rajasthan India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage White Elephant Figurine Pen Holder, Jaipur, Rajasthan India. White Elephant Figurine with Wooden Base. Elegant cast composite vintage sculpture Figurine that show a white elephant with his trunk up presented on a wooden stand and next to it a brass pen. The representation of elephant in Asia represent wisdom, longevity and white is for peace. White elephant on stand...
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Set of Desk Accessories by Rexite, Kartell, Neolt, 9 Pieces, Italy, 1980s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Four bookends, two desk organizers, two pen or pencil holders, one diary - Marked. - Rare models a and color. - Very practical. - Raul Barbieri and Gio...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Pierre Disderot Paris 1980 Pair of Aerodynamic Desk Lamps in Nickel Chrome
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of desk lamps designed by Pierre Disderot. Beautiful aerodynamic modern pair of desk lamps, created in Paris France by the company of Pierre Disderot, back in the 1980. These...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Nickel, Stainless Steel, Chrome

1970s Oak and Chrome Peter Pepper Letter Tray and Mail Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A fantastic solid oak paper tray and letter holder. High quality construction with chrome elements. Peter Pepper Products produced many icons of California Designs. USA, 1970s.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Oak

1970s Italian Solid Crystal Sculpture of a Seal on a Base
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Italian Solid Crystal Sculpture of a Seal on a Base.
Category

Late 20th Century European Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

1970s French Pair of Silver Plated Metal and Animal Footed Ashtrays
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s French Pair of Silver Plated Metal and Animal Footed Ashtrays
Category

Late 20th Century French Desk Accessories

Materials

Metallic Thread

French Red and Black Marble Octagonal Chess Board, circa 1980
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chess in red and black marble. The pieces are in pink marble with with some yellow veins. The board is made with a marble in which we see fossilized plants. Made circa 1980, each p...
Category

1980s French Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Trio of Midcentury Decorative Marble Desk or Shelf Objects
Located in London, GB
A set of three marble specimens. Belgium, circa 1970s. Formed in spheres. Two green specimens - 8.5 diameter, a slightly larger sphere at 10 diameter in cm. Price is for the ...
Category

1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Vienna Bronze Clown Acrobat Figure Match Holder
Located in Danville, CA
Vienna Bronze Clown Acrobat Figure Match Holder Here is a bronze match holder in the form of clown acrobat figure, in good condition, with fine patina....
Category

Late 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Crystal Ball Sphere Bud Vase Modern Minimalist
Located in New York, NY
A substantial crystal ball sphere bud vase in the style of Baccara, in the modern or minimalist style. Beautiful as a standalone piece or for a sin...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

One Mid-Century Modern Faceted Glass Diamond Shaped Figurine Paperweight Desk
Located in Miami, FL
One Mid-Century Modern faceted glass diamond shaped magnifying paperweight, Figurine, Sculpture or Desk accessory. In good condition no chips, light scratches to the faceted glass.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Midcentury Typewriter/Consul, Type 2224, 1980s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Metal, Steel, Plastic, Re-polished With aged patina Original condition.
Category

1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Steel

Olivetti Divisumma 28 Mario Bellini Design Years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti divisumma 28 Mario Bellini design years '70, perfect working and very good condition.
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic, Acrylic

1970s Modern Elegance Pen Holder Desk Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Modern Elegant Pen Holder Desk Set 5.25 tall x 15.5 w x 8.5 d Original vintage condition. See all images provided.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Glass

Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare "Olympus" table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. The circular red clock face is upheld by a green pyramid base...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Gucci Vintage Twisted Sail Money Clip Pin 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage gold plated money clip and pin in original box signed with Gucci and in very good vintage condition. Measures: 16,5 H x 8 W x 2 D cm Box 7,5 H x 2,5 W x 1,5 D cm....
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage 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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