Skip to main content

Desk Accessories

to
1,036
5,618
1,096
141
3,925
1,241
1,144
1,097
1,066
3,097
3,091
4,644
1,323
1,107
Height
to
Width
to
6,855
6,236
6,642
Desk Accessories For Sale
Palazzo Crystal Bookends Onyx Black by Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The latest pieces in the Palazzo range recast the beautiful set of arches in polished crystal for a mesmerising look that changes with the light. A study in decorative function, Palazzo represents a rich architectural history. Its unique structure gives a nod to the repeated arches of Rome’s Colosseo Quadrato...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Art Deco Figural Bronze Bookends, Signed Herzig, 1930s
Located in Devon, England
Beautiful Art Deco chromed bronze bookends, depicting swift birds on an arched branch. Engraved BRONZE and signed HERZIG. Originating from France.   
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Chrome

Frank Stella Abstract Artist Metropolitan Museum of Art Book, 1970, New York
Located in New York, NY
A hard-cover book with dust-jacket on abstract American artist Frank Stella, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1970, New York, NY. This book presents a decade of Sella's work from 1959 - 1...
Category

1970s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Paper

1950s Modern Electric Fan by General Electric
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
1950s Modern Electric Fan by General Electric in fantastic conditions, working at perfection.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Patinated Brass Letter Sorter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three compartment brass patinated letter holder with ball feet. Dimensions 5.25" width x 1.75" depth x 4" height. Condition Good vintage condition; professionally cleaned. Brass ca...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid 20th Century Wolf Head Letter Holder or Paper Clip in the style of Gucci
Located in Roma, IT
we offer for sale an extremely decorative item, in my opinion to have, more than for its function, for its apotropaic power, as an amulet or a talisman that acts as a warning on the ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate, Bronze

G. Giacobbe Murano Millefiori Glass Paperweight / Vase, Italy, 1950s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
G. Giacobbe Murano Millefiori Glass Paperweight / Vase, Italy, 1950s.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, baroque revival
Located in VALENZA, IT
Faithful copy of the writing service by the silversmith Pietro Rubini, Milan c.1775 The inkstand is composed of a shaped tray supported by 4 rocailles feet, modeled along the entire profile by finely embossed and chiselled volutes, leaves and shells. Above the tray are two ink holders and two pen holders with spiral workmanship and highly embossed vegetable decorations. A bell in the center of the object rests on a FASTIGIO pierced with flowering vines. By Fiorentini, Argenterie di Milano - Italy for ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA Italian silverware...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Gervasoni Wind Table Fan in Handwoven Dark Pulut by Jasper Startup
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Family of floor or table fans that combine aesthetics and functionality, features that make them a genuine piece of furniture in their own right. Available in two sizes, S or L, they...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

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

1960s North American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Acrylic

Cenedese 1980s Italian Modern 24K Gold Dust Twisted Murano Glass Tree Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Italian crystal glass tree ornament of organic sleek modern design, a vintage creation part of a collection assembled by Cosulich Interiors & Anti...
Category

1980s Italian Organic Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Handmade Metal Bookend with Sphere in White Carrara Marble
Located in Carrara, IT
Metal bookend with sphere in white Carrara, black Marquina, Portoro or Paonazzo marble in collaboration with Anime Design. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is differ...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal

Collection Four Jelly Fish Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweights Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful set of four Murano hand blown aquarium design Italian art glass paper weights or statues. Showing Jelly Fish inside, in different colors, floating on controlled bubbles. Co...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Auspiciousness Eggs by Ango, the Art&Craft of Feng Shui Egg for Home Decor items
By Ango
Located in Bangkok, TH
Auspiciousness Eggs by Ango is Feng Shui Egg Stone hand-weld and crafted for feng shui home decor items. Kotchakorn Promchai, the renowned Feng Shui master in Thailand invited Ango to create auspiciousness elements to enhance the Feng Shui of a space in a special collaboration. With their sophisticated craft these objects create a beautiful energy around them as well as commanding auspiciousness. The meaning of Auspiciousness Feng Shui Eggs Harmony, safety and a smooth path towards achieving goals are overall meaning of Auspicious Feng Shui Egg. The proportion of 52 to 54 mm in length signifies a wealthy life and the width of 42 to 44 mm signifies happiness and prosperity, while the coins placed inside each egg signify good fortune, good luck harmony and spiritual support. • Silver Auspicious Egg The colour of peace, justice, intelligence, future-facing, communication, maternity, happiness and prosperity. • Gold Auspicious Egg The colour of power, virtue, prestige, leadership, happiness and prosperity. • Copper Auspicious Egg The colour of elegance, happiness, charm, popularity, imagination and wealth. The three colours of Auspiciousness Eggs The three different colours of Auspiciousness Eggs reflect different aspects in the creation of new energy, happiness and prosperity. Bringing Auspiciousness Eggs into your home or place of work can bring harmony in love, along with good family relations and good fortune in your career, at the same time enabling wealth generation for you, your parents, children and the team who you work with. The significance of the numbering used in creating the Auspiciousness Eggs Number 1 signifies success, victory, smoothness in life, leadership and recognition. Number 6 signifies unexpected fortune, divine blessing, imagination and happiness. Number 8 signifies wealth, power, popularity and spiritual support. Number 9 signifies a plenty of propitiousness and auspiciousness. Each egg is then designed to house 8 silver coins, that are doubled so 16 coins in total; 9 gold coins that are then doubled, so 18 coins; and 10+9 copper coins so 19 coins in total. The technique of doubling is used to increase auspiciousness along with power, and the sequence 8, 9, 10 signifies an increasing power of auspiciousness. So with each piece of Auspiciousness Egg, the propitiousness is maximised in every way and it is recommended you can try one Auspiciousness Egg or one set of three eggs, to gain energy and then build up to 9 elements. How to place by Auspiciousness Eggs for Feng Shui within your home. One recommendation is to place the eggs on the desk space or study table. And for stock market investments, it is recommended the eggs are near to the computer. Another suggestion is on the cashier table, by the safe, or on a shelf with the other decorative items. Who should have Auspiciousness Eggs? The Auspiciousness Egg is a Feng Shui element that gains in energy starting with the determination patience and meditative skill shown by the artisans who create each piece by hand. This good fortune is for everyone no matter what year...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Fornasetti paper weight 1962 Zodiac calendar
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with Zodiac calendar c1962
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

MCM Staved Walnut Desk Organizer
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice and functional MCM staved walnut desk organizer, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 7.5"W x 4.5"D x 3"H. ...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

MCM Staved Walnut Desk Organizer
MCM Staved Walnut Desk Organizer
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
Krone Edgar Allan Poe Limited Edition Fountain Pen with Original Box
Located in Plainview, NY
This exquisite Krone fountain pen showcases a dark brown celluloid barrel intricately marbled with subtle violet veins. Its sterling silver cap and endpiece are adorned with beautif...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Gothic Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Late 19th Century Banded Agate Wax Seal with Gothic Monogram
Located in Worcester, GB
Late 19th Century Banded Agate Wax Seal with Gothic Monogram A fine antique desk seal dating to the late 19th century. The tapering handle is cut from banded blue agate, exhibiting ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate

Late 19th Century Banded Agate and Silver-Plated Wax Seal with Gothic Monogram
Located in Worcester, GB
Late 19th Century Banded Agate and Silver-Plated Wax Seal with Gothic Monogram Origin: Likely English or Continental Europe Date: Circa 1880–1900 Material: Banded agate with silver-...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate

Antique Art Deco Desk Fan by Emerson Electric
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique art deco electric fan missing the cord sold AS/IS condition we belive it worked but we arent sure made by Emerson electric.
Category

20th Century Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Mauro Manetti Style Boar Head Stirrup Cups
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mauro Manetti classic style stirrup cup, is of plain beaker form with a cast boar head to one end. Playful stirrup cup from the 1970s in brass and silver plate. Gorgeous stirrup cup ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Elizabethan Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Pewter, Brass

Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3" x 3.75"H. #3539
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3847 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished and patinated brass. Price i...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1990s Alfredo Barbini Modern Black Murano Glass Paperweight depicting an Hand
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This paperweight reflects the elegance and modern artistry of 1990s Murano glass while also carrying the signature style of one of the most renowned Venetian glassmakers of the 20th ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Vincenzo Nason Murano Art Glass Green Blue Bird Paperweight Figurine
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Murano glass bird sculpture by Vincenzo Nason, Italy, 1970s. Green, blue and clear glass with beautiful hues when light go...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Typewriter/Remington Standart 12 USA, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age of use. Made in USA. Fully functional. Made of metal, steel, chrome, fabric. Good original condition...
Category

1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Cartier Trinity 18ct Gold Plated Ribbed Ballpoint Pen With A Red Cartier Box
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Trinity 18ct Gold Plated Ribbed Ballpoint Pen With A Red Cartier Box Stunning Example of a Must De Cartier ballpoint pen, featuring the classic trinity rings and an enamel i...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Handmade Big Paperweight with Sphere Shape in Grey Bardiglio Marble
Located in Carrara, IT
Paperweight with sphere shape in grey Bardiglio marble. Measure: diameter 12cm Each piece is in a way unique (since each marble block is different in veins and shades) and handcraft...
Category

2010s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Brass Dice
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. The brass dice...
Category

2010s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Brass Dice
Brass Dice
$100 / item
Danish Leather Paper Basket with Handle, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Leather paper basket, Denmark 1960s with handle. The width of the basket including the handle is 34 cm.
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

English Equestrian Horseshoe Silver Plate & Oak Desktop Inkwell Inkstand c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English Edwardian silverplate and oak inkwell inkstand with a pen rest, circa 1900. This fine inkstand has the original lovely cut cr...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "1st Model Candy". Memphis Style
Located in Milano, IT
1980s Gorgeous Swatch twin phone 1st model in production called Candy. It's in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon for its amazing design. A true p...
Category

1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Gucci Leather Desk Notepad with Equestrian Motif, circa 1970
Located in Atlanta, GA
Boost your workspace with this rare Gucci-designed modernist desktop accessory, a stunning blend of luxury and craftsmanship. Created in Italy circa 1970, this exquisite piece exempl...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Red Cobra Table Phone, Ericofon by LM Ericsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage Rotary dial red ericofone. This is the model Cobra. It is made of thermoplastic ABS Designed in the 1950s in Sweden by Hugo Blomberg, Ralph Lysell and Gösta Thames, LM Ericsson...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Wheaton Village Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage art glass paperweight with a large hand blown flower with bubbles, made in USA in 1977 Original mark on the base Measures: Diamet...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Wheaton Village Glass Paperweight
Wheaton Village Glass Paperweight
$180 Sale Price
40% Off
A.Ve.M. Murano Rainbow Silver Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Stripes Fish Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown rainbow stripes, silver and gold flecks Italian art glass fish figurine. Attributed to the A.Ve.M. (Arte Vetraria Muranese) company. The fish has ...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Chopper Motorcycle Lighter, 1980s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cool vintage table lighter in the shape of a two seat chopper motorcycle. Made completely of metal with a hollow body. Beautiful burnished silver color with intricate details. Tip of...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Art Nouveau Silver Pewter Letter Opener with the Image of a Lady
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and solid silver pewter art nouveau letter opener featuring a lady - a wonderful decorative piece for any desk or work station.
Category

20th Century Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Italian Midcentury Brass Shopping Bag Tote in the Manner of Gio Ponti circa 1970
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic and oh so chic Italian brass tote bag with brass rope handles and creased sides in the manner of Gio Ponti, circa 1970. Clean clean clean. Newly professionally cleaned and gen...
Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Bakelite Table Phone from 1947
Located in Vienna, AT
Bakelite table phone, marked K. Telegfrafverkets Werkstatt Nynäshamn from 1947 Measures: Height about 26 cm.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

5 Foot Tall Pop Art Wood Pencil
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive vintage display pencil. Made of one solid piece of wood and a machine engraved metal ring wrapped around the end by the eraser. Size: 60" long. Marked ARTIST GRADE - GRAPHITE...
Category

1970s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Malachite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and substantial green Malachite decorative or jewelry box, circa late-20th century. This green Malachite box has a hexagon shape with a white onyx marble star with gold gilt detail on top lid. A great decorative piece or jewelry box (as demonstrated), to hold necklaces, rings, earring, cufflinks, etc., on a vanity, nightstand, dresser, desk, credenza, walk-in-closet, etc. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimensions: 3.38" Depth x 4" Width. Purple charoite box shown also available, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314228491742 Green malachite box with cameo, search ref. #: LU1314228492012 Small gold and malachite turtle...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Onyx

Murano Multicolor Art Glass Fish Sculpture Paperweight with Gold Flecks, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern hand blown Murano glass fish figure with multicolor murrine and gold flecks, Italy 1950s. This fish sculpture has multicolor spots in brown, orange, red, green, ...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique Dalton Adding Machine c.1912
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique cast iron and steel Dalton adding machine with Bakelite keys, wooden handle and original brass plaque with patent dates of 1912. With a fully functional wood and st...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Iron

Eik Höglund - Glass Paperweights
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product Description: These paperweights by Erik Höglund will definitely brighten up your workplace. Höglund was a family man who got inspired by the creative process in his younger years already. A smart rebellious moderniser at heart Höglund, having his work refused at the glass shops of Sweden, set up his own exhibitions and convinced the art director at boda that with time customers would flock in. Hard work paid off and Höglund won the prestigious Danish Luning prize in 1957. Sales skyrocketed along with his fame, earning him the name "wonder boy" in the United States. Höglund did not consider himself a glass-artist solely. Höglund combined his glass art with iron in his famous chandeliers, painted on canvas and sculpted in bronze and terracotta. All the paperweights have a figurative relief pressed into them. A naked woman is pressed into two of the paperweights, the two blue paperweights hold a ship anchor, the blank rectangular paperweight a robot and a cat houses...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

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

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Giant Golfball, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Giant vintage golfball in cream plaster/plastic. 8.5" diameter. Likely used as a store display. Whimsical desktop object or paperweight. Very heavy a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Paint, Plastic

Greta Garbo Fountain pen by Montblanc, Swiss ca 2005
Located in Delft, NL
Greta Garbo Fountain pen by Montblanc, Swiss ca 2005 The MONTBLANC Greta Garbo fountain pen is a women's pen. The chic profile of the pen, that slightly curves. The fountain pen wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

TRAVERTINE SPHERE, Sahi Natural Stone Ball, Book Shelf and Coffee Table Decor
Located in St Petersburg, US
SAHI by Haand: 10 cm (4") travertine sphere, crafted with exceptional hand quality. This elegant decorative object seamlessly blends natural beauty with versatility, making it an ide...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Minimalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine, Marble

Otterburn Chess Set & Board — Solid Hand-Patinated Brass and Walnut
Located in Washington, GB
A special chess set in solid hand-patinated brass. Handcrafted in the North to order. Available in a range of materials and finishes, Otterburn can tru...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Desk Accessories

Materials

Limestone, Stone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Bronze, Copper, Enamel,...

Carl Auböck Paperweight #5371 or 5788 "Heart", Austria
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight #5371 or 5788 "Heart", Austria. Price is per piece. Available in different sizes.
Category

2010s Austrian Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Aviation Interest Chrome and Frosted Glass Zeppelin Table Lamp
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Art Deco Aviation Interest Chrome And Frosted Glass Table Lamp Modelled as a German Zeppelin AirCraft with a moulded frosted glass shade, on a chrome plated stand.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Sake Set
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper sake set with cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. A total of 8 cups, 8 saucers, and a sake pot. Floral design against the cobalt blue b...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Natural Grey Quartz Geode Decorative Object or Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful natural grey quartz geode specimen. Great as a standalone object on shelf, table, atop books, on a desk, as a paperweight, etc. Very good condi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Organic Modern Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Quartz

Mid-century Design Phone Tesla, 1960's.
Located in Praha, CZ
Tesla Manufacturer Made in Czechoslovakia Fully Functional Beautiful Decoration Good Original condition
Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Petite Murano Glass Paperweight Flower inside Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop. Found at an estate sale in Verona, Italy....
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
A magnifying glass in brass with a turned rich wood handle, circa late-20th century. A great piece for a desk, office, library, etc. Very good condition ...
Category

Late 20th Century English Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Crystal Inkwells and Pen Trays Desk Set by Jacques Adnet and Baccarat, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Art Déco crystal desk set of inkwells and pen Trays by Jacques Adnet manufactured by Baccarat, France By: Jacques Adnet, Baccarat Material: glass, crystal Techniq...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Vintage onyx cardholder desk accessory, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage onyx card holder, 1960s. Most likely from Italy, Mexico, or Pakistan. Tones of pistachio, rust, and toffee. Pick up in central west Los Angeles or we ship worldwide. 4” W ...
Category

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

Materials

Onyx

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 All