Desk Accessories
1
464
22
1
to
40
242
210
487
483
487
1,337
829
519
318
235
169
74
63
61
58
53
49
41
37
35
31
29
22
300
164
23
144
9
2
18
6
5
2
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
369
133
104
101
91
319
199
141
111
109
83
9
4
4
3
Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Victorian
Style: Arts and Crafts
19th century Embossed Bronze Inkwell
Located in Savannah, GA
Bronze inkwell intricately embossed with scroll work. Features include a pen vest and back tray and double inkwells with griffins on the back gallery. A continental piece possibly Au...
Category
Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
English Victorian Brass Owl Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian brass owl inkwell on rectangular tray.
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Old Vienna Bronze Cold-painted Figure of a small Lion, Franz Bergmann
Located in Charleston, SC
Superb Old Vienna bronze cold-painted figure of a small lion
Has an impressed maker's mark which is attributed to Franz Bergmann, Vienna (possibly the mo...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Victorian Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
English Victorian Period 19th Century Brown Leather Case with Button Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique English Victorian period leather case and horseshoe button box from the 19th century, with eleven buttons. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, this leather set features a light brown pouch...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Antique 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
Late 19th Century Bronze Artisan Paperweight
Located in Malibu, CA
Late 19th Century Bronze Artisan Paper Weight. Signed, both the top & bottom have been hand tooled, the artist signed on the top edge.
Category
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Tooled Red Burgundy Leather Writing Surface Desk Insert Pad
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique tooled red or burgundy leather desk / table writing surface pad. Purchased in London in the 1980s. Measures: 41" x 65".
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Fine Antique Victorian Marble & Brass Roman Grand Tour Statue Columns Pillars
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable pair of original Victorian Marble & Brass Grand Tour Roman Ruin statue of columns.
A wonderful original pair, these are desk sized and very collectable, these Roman pillars...
Category
19th Century European Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Antique English Figural / Novelty Ostrich Inkwell C.1880
Located in Bath, GB
A handsome and substantial novelty inkwell in the form of a running Ostrich standing on an oval shaped base with a naturalistic base incorporating two "rocks" acting as a pen rest. I...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Brass Bells in Shape of Ladies, 19th Century, Set of 2
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A couple of cast table bells in the shape of fashionable ladies. The little one showcases a Crinoline dress. They were both made in England during the ...
Category
1860s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Naturalistic Victorian Sterling Silver Ink Stand, Charles & George Fox, 1846
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1846 by Charles & George Fox, this charming, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver ink stand, features an ornate scroll ...
Category
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique 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
Industrial Theme Cast Aluminum Bookends
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of industrial themed cast aluminum bookends. Both pieces depict bare chested man in a forge setting pouring molten metal from crucible into a mold.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Meat Skewers / Letter Openers
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large pair of antique Victorian English sterling silver letter openers/meat skewers; an addition to our Victorian silv...
Category
1840s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid 19th Century Inkwell in the Form of a Pocket Globe
Located in London, GB
A fantastic inkwell in the form of a pocket globe, dating from the mid 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
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
19th Century Victorian Gilt Bronze Leaf Trinket Dish with Sparrow and Beetles
Located in Haarlem, NL
Late Victorian or Aesthetic Movement gilt bronze trinket dish or vide poche or calling card dish.
With a little detailed sparrow on the branche an...
Category
Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Mobbs & Lewis Ltd Wooden English Shoe Lasts Womens Heel, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mobbs & Lewis Ltd Wooden English shoe lasts women's heel - a Pair. Item features original antique wooden shoe lasts, repurposed form w...
Category
19th Century American Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
Antique Victorian 1898 Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand by John Grinsell & Sons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver fox inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular form.
This inkstand is fitted with a gallery, embellished with impressive pierced and applied scrolling foliate ornamentation.
The shaped, incurved rims of the body and anterior rim of the sterling silver inkstand are ornamented with a paralleling applied gadroon decorated border.
The surface of the fox silver inkstand incorporates a concave oval pen receiver.
The body of the inkstand incorporates two ink bottle receivers flanking a rectangular stamp box.
The impressive hallmarked ink bottles each have a tapering cylindrical form and are embellished with further pierced scrolling foliate ornamentation; these ink bottles secure to the stand with a screw fitment to the underside.
Each ink bottle is fitted with a plain domed hinged cover and opens to allow access to the original glass liner.
The central sterling silver stamp box...
Category
1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
21st Century Red Hand and Machine made Sculpted Pen in Resin, Limited Edition
Located in Milano, IT
Hand and machine sculpted pens,
in a somewhat cyber punk union, from which objects of pure poetry come out, pleasant to the touch,
and intriguing to the eye,
and yes, they write,
...
Category
2010s Italian Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Antique Grand Tour Micro-Mosaic Paperweight with Vatican Vignettes
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Grant Tour micro-mosaic paperweight is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Italy, or possibly the Vatican City, and dating to approximately 1880 and done in t...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Slate
1870 T. Elkington Silver Plated Victorian British Inkwell
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Amazing silver plated inkwell by T. Elkington, marked on the bottom, good conditions overall, original glass.
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
English 19th Century Victorian Shoe Care Set with Original Leather Case
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique English Victorian period shoe care set from the 19th century, with four brushes and original leather case. Created in England during the reign of ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Other
19th Century Victorian Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell, c.1860
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a growling bulldog with realistic glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper buckle. The head is hing...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
19th Century Victorian Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell, c.1860
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a bulldog with realistic red glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper buckle. The head is hinged an...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Stunning Light Nutwood Antique Cigar Box with Perfect Working Lock and Key
Located in Lisse, NL
Great quality and superb condition antique box for presenting your finest cigars.
This beautifully designed and perfectly handcrafted cigar box is another one of our recent finds and this antique will make a great gift for yourself or for a cigar smoking friend or loved one. All handcrafted in the late 1800s this box is much better than anything you will be able to buy in today's stores. The design, its age and its practicality are one thing, but what makes this antique work of beauty really stand out is the honey colored, light nutwood exterior and interior. It is in superb condition and an absolute joy to look at. If you like it in our photos then you will love it in real life, because the patina is much better looking and warmer than in any of our photos. You can, again, take our word for it. This work of beauty will look great no matter where you decide to have it on display and it turns smoking a fine cigar into an even better experience, because who would not want to be offered a cigar like this. This finest of cigar boxes also comes with a perfect working lock...
Category
1890s European Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique English Victorian Brass Tavern Candlestick with Service Bell
Located in Plainview, NY
A late 19th century antique English Victorian brass tavern candlestick with service bell. The brass surface has some discoloration due to the age b...
Category
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Stunning Antique circa 1860 Hand Carved English Oak Recumbent Lion Statue
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning recumbent Lion carved statue on plinth base
A very good looking well made and decorative piece, its hand carved from one piece on ...
Category
1860s English High Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
Antique Hand Forged Organic Design Arts & Crafts Multi Purpose Box, circa 1920
By Hugo Berger
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, wrought iron box attr. to Hugo Berger Goberg.
It is always refreshing to find an antique object probably by a famous maker, that you have never seen befo...
Category
Early 20th Century German Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
Edwardian Silver-Mounted Stationary Box with Matching Victorian Blotter
Located in Montreal, QC
This box has much evident quality. The pierced cover is repousse with scrolling acanthus leaves, flowers and trellis-work about a vacant cartouche. It has a long "piano" hinge and is lined in emerald green watered silk. Serendipitously, we have the matching blotter, the cover identically mounted, lined in crimson watered silk.
The box is Edwardian hall...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
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
19th Century Austro-Hungarian Bronze Pen Wipe in the Form of a Lizard
Located in London, GB
A fantastic and very large pen wipe in the form of a lizard, beautifully cast in bronze the lizard has inset glass eyes.
Category
1890s Austrian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
21st Century Blue Hand and Machine made Sculpted Pen in Wood, Limited Edition
Located in Milano, IT
Hand and machine sculpted pens,
in a somewhat cyber punk union, from which objects of pure poetry come out, pleasant to the touch,
and intriguing to the eye,
and yes, they write...
Category
2010s Italian Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
19th Century Victorian Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell, c.1860
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
19th century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell modelled as the head of a bulldog with realistic glass inset eyes, original leather collar with a copper push-button and a silver presenta...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Victorian Letter Holder
Located in Forney, TX
An English Victorian black and gilt decorated mother-of-pearl and papier mâché stationary letter / card holder or desk stand with stunning, exceptionally executed city scape hand pai...
Category
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Other
Late 19th Century Silver Gilt and Horn Letter Opener in the Form of a Lizard
Located in London, GB
A wonderful quality Austro Hungarian letter opener in the form of a lizard - the realistically modelled lizard has inset glass eyes, the quality is superb and gives the lizard a very...
Category
1890s Austrian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vase Na 2.0 Pink-Purple
Located in Beijing, CN
Vases are defined as containers with borders, but not these ones. Created by Desz to explore the relationship between people and space, Vase NA 2.0 is a concept about lines, colors, ...
Category
2010s Asian Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Vase Na 2.0 Blue-Green
Located in Beijing, CN
Vases are defined as containers with borders, but not these ones. Created by Desz to explore the relationship between people and space, Vase NA 2.0 is a concept about lines, colors, ...
Category
2010s Chinese Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin, Plastic, Paint
Card Holder with Westie Dogs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage cast iron card with a pair of Westie terriers in service as greeters.
Category
20th Century English Victorian Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
Late 19th Century Inkwell Depicting a Black African Man - Goldscheider Wien
Located in London, GB
A Wonderfull quality bronze inkwell depicting a black African man, made by the goldscheider factory in Vienna around 1890, with inset glass eyes.
Category
1890s Austrian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Inkwell of Large Proportions
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional 19th century Boulle work inkwell, of rectangular form, fitted with two cut glass ink wells and covers, with dished pen tray, decorated with cut brass arabesques...
Category
19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vase Na 2.0 Ice
Located in Beijing, CN
Vases are defined as containers with borders, but not these ones. Created by Desz to explore the relationship between people and space, Vase NA 2.0 is a concept about lines, colors, ...
Category
2010s Chinese Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Unique & Perfect Pair Arts & Crafts Photograph Picture Frames / Miniature Easels
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and perfectly handcrafted pair of early 1900s, table easel design photo frames.
If you are looking for the perfect picture frames for a pair of small photos then this early ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Austro-Hungarian Bronze Lizard Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A beautiful quality lizard inkwell, the realistically modelled lizard as inset glass eyes.
Category
1890s Austrian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Chalcedony Pin Cushion
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian sterling silver pin cushion modelled in the form of a shoe made by Adie & Lovekin Ltd; an addition to our animal related silverware collection.
This exceptional antique sterling silver pin cushion...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Unusual Antique English Novelty Match Striker, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful and most unusual novelty match strike made from cast brass and just back from a professional clean and polish by our silversmith.
The non-safety matches...
Category
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
19th Century Victorian Cast Iron "Lion" Inkwell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Figural lion inkwell boasting original paint with hinged lion's head concealing the well, circa late 1800s
Patina / paint loss consistent with age / use.
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
19th Century Japanned English Victorian Papier Mâché Mother of Pearl Desk Set
Located in Forney, TX
An English Victorian Japanned papier mache desk set with mother of pearl inlay and elaborate rich polychrome painted flower decoration.
The charm...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Other
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Ink Stand / Inkwell with Taper Stick 1851
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Antique Victorian solid Silver Inkstand with two fitted glass lined Inkwells and a removable taper candlestick. The body of the inkwell has an elegant pierced design on the sides mirrored on the bodies of the inkwells. The base of the Inkstand has an ornate engraved design and a sunken recess to hold pens. Each Inkwell has an engraved crest on the hinged lids and on the back of the inkstand.
Made in London, England in 1851 by E & J Barnard and retailed by Widdowson & Veale (Strand, London).
Approx. gross Weight incl glass - 1440 g
Approx. Length - 34.5 cm
Approx. Width - 22.2 cm
This Victorian Inkstand...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Mid 19th Century Page Turner in the Form of a Monkey
Located in London, GB
What a wonderful page turner. Realistically carved in the form of a monkey, the turner has that beautiful smooth patina from years of handling.
Probably French CIRCA 1840.
Category
1840s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Florentine Grand Tour Pietra Dura Blossoming Rose Flower Paperweight
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique paperweight is unsigned, but presumed to have been acquired during a Grand Tour through Italy, and dating to approximately 1880 and do...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Marble
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
Late 19th Century French Bronze Inkwell Modelled as a Monkey Castrating a Cat!!
Located in London, GB
Well what can I say about this incredible Inkwell, I have seen many examples from this period that depict monkeys tormenting cats but I have never seen one that is quite this extreme...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Carved Marble Accessories
Desk Bell
Marble And Gilt Desk
Hermes 1950s
Bird Desk Object
Pen Shell
Rectangular Decorative Tray
Desk Dog
Small Leather Tray
Antique Traveling Desk
Antique Travel Desk
Desks Deco English
English Art Deco Desks
Equestrian Plates
Colored Glass Desk
French Antique Inkwells
Desk Shaped Inkwell
Gold Pen Holder