Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
Antique Black Forest Inkwell, Wood, 1920-1930
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful handmade Black Forest inkwell.
Around 1920 / 1930.
Depiction of a chamois.
Wood with glass eyes.
Category
1920s Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood, Nutwood, Walnut
Antique Ornate Letter Rack, Italian, Gilt Stationery Stand, Desk Tidy, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ornate letter rack. An Italian, gilt metal stationery stand or desk tidy, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Striking Continental taste with classic...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Brass Letter Opener Seashell
By Arthur Court
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage Letter Opener Seashell in solid Brass.
Unmarked, patina present. Light scuffs present.
Dimensions: 6.63 Long x 1.13 W x .25 thick
Preowned vintage ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Contemporary 'Sail' Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Big Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Collection of decorative objects signed by Ghirò Studio (Milan).
The natural crystal has high transparencies with aquamarine reflections, it has been curved and handmade to repr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Brass table-top barometer station signed Semca Swiss 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Brass table-top barometer station by Semca Swiss made in the 1950s for the American market, consisting of an aneroid barometer, thermometer with dual Centigrade and Fahrenheit scales...
Category
1950s Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Minimal Abstract Figurative Crystal Sculpture signed Steuben
Located in New York, NY
This delightfully formed Mid-Century Modernist Minimal Abstract Figurative Crystal Sculpture signed Steuben originates from France during the latter half of the 20th Century. This pi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Carl Auböck Model #4317 Brass Bowl
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4317 brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl is executed in polished and darkly patinated brass. Originally conceived as a fountain pen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$490 / item
Tronador Square Cream Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
$1,320 / item
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
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3530 'Flatiron' Brass and Cane Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3530 'Flatiron' brass and cane bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Tiffany & Co. Style Antique Empire Marble Rocker Blotter With Brass Handle
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Empire or Neoclassical marble rocker ink blotter with brass laurel wreath handle
In the manner of Tiffany & Co.
USA, Late 19th Century
Measures: 5.13"W x 3"...
Category
Late 19th Century American Empire Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Brass
Gervasoni Wind Table Fan in Handwoven Dark Pulut by Jasper Startup
By Gervasoni
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
Calligraphy Brush Filigree Red Coral Faux
Located in Somis, CA
This stunning, handcrafted calligraphy brush is a true testament to artistry. The handle is a captivating display of vibrant red faux coral beads, meticulously set within fine, silve...
Category
20th Century Chinese Desk Accessories
Materials
Bone
$71 Sale Price
35% Off
Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Solid Brass Three Wise Monkeys Paper Weight , France 1970s
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$63 Sale Price
20% Off
Wilhelm Kage, Argenta Gustavsberg, Incised Stoneware Silver Piscine Dish C1940
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Unusual Argenta stoneware footed dish with applied silver swordfish central motif
Tied silver banding to rim
Designed by Wilhelm Kage for the Argenta series for Gustavsberg, Sweden...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
$514 Sale Price
60% Off
Italian red typewriter Valentine by Ettore Sottsass Perry King Olivetti, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern typewriter Valentine by Ettore Sottsass and Perry A. King for Olivetti, 1970s
Iconic typewriter model Valentine with rectangular base and rounded corners, in bright re...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Trinity Fountain Pen With Box & Cartridges
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Nib Trinity Fountain Pen Red Cartier Presentation Box & Ink Cartridges
This Must de Cartier fountain pen has a body in silver metal with gadroon mo...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate
$910 Sale Price / set
20% Off
WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil Photograph Frame, Germany C.1900, WMF
Located in Toronto, Ontario
WMF Art Nouveau Jugendstil pewter photograph frame, Germany C.1900, WMF. Ref No 90 page 304 WMF 1906 catalogue. WMF marks B 1/0 beehive B and export mark. Overall measurements: 8 3/4...
Category
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
$1,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Live Edge Huon Pine Handmade Bookends
Located in Southampton, NJ
Beautiful live edge huon pine bookends made in the 1940s in Tasmania. Bookends have a rich natural patina. In great condition. Measurements reflect the bookends as a combined unit.
Category
Mid-20th Century Australian Organic Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Pine
Large Modern Spinning Sculpture in Turquoise Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This modern geometric sculptures will add a touch of color to any space, you can place them on top of books on your coffee table or even as a centerpiece. The possibilities are endle...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Enameled Crab Sculpture with Rhinestones on Abalone Shell
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Enameled crab sculpture with rhinestones and secret compartment on a polished abalone shell in the style of Jay Strongwater or Tony Duquette
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Model #4273 'Foot' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4273 'Foot' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Victorian Casket Tortoiseshell Calling Cards Regency Grand Tour 1837
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Example of a Ladies Silk Lined Casket containing its original contents of Sterling Silver mounted Silk lined Tortoiseshell Card Cases of museum quality. Slightly dome shaped...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Italian Alabaster Marble Sphere
Located in New York, NY
An Italian moss green and black alabaster marble decorative object sphere, Italian Midcentury Modern to '70 Modern design periods, circa mid to late 20th century, 1960s, 1970s, Italy...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Telephone Exchange PBX from the 50s/60s
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Telephone exchange, PBX from the 50s/60s. Manual telephone system used to interconnect several lines in a company or organisation. With a wooden ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Caliari Venini Inciso Art Glass Cube Eyeball Sculpture Paperweights
By Venini
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful pair of Italia glass artworks. Heavy etched glass pieces, one is signed.
Measures: LG 2.38 x 2.38 x 2.5 in.
SM 1.75 x 1.75 x 1.75 in.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
$1,480 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a giant octopus, on a glass stone. Colors are a red, white, black a...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Cubic3 Dutch Design Table or Desk Lamp "Nachtschade", Nightshade Plants Inspired
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, adjustable and rotational, stylized plant table lamp, from 1987.
This rare and interesting table lamp is number 65 of a limited edition of only 100 and one of the others is in the famous Dutch "Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen".
Illuminate your workspace with "Nightshade", the innovative desk lamp that blends functionality with botanical beauty. Crafted by hand this adjustable lamp brings a touch of artisanal charm to your desk or sidetable. Designers Ton Hoogerwerf en Gerwen van Vulpen must have been inspired by this particular group / family of plants (a family that grows particularly well in the night and in the shade, hence the name Night-shade) and the result of their design ideas has become a collector's item at home and abroad. Obviously for a lamp to have such a design and such a name makes this work of lighting art a true result of fresh creativity. The bottom part represents the flower pot, then the stem with the leaves and at the end the flower with the bulb as a stamen. Cubic 3 Design...
Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Organic Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Copper, Nickel
Tiffany Studios Bronze Inkwell New York Bookmark Pattern
Located in Toledo, OH
Lovely bronze inkwell from Tiffany Studios in the New York Bookmark pattern. Beautifully detailed octagonal design with round lid. Marked Tiffany Studios 1094. 3" x 3" x 2 1/2" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1950s Fornasetti Paperweight in Porcelain by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Astonishing rare porcelain paperweight designed by Piero Fornasetti with butterflies. Handmade.Made in Italy. Heavy ceramic construction for use as beautiful desk accessories. ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
$576 Sale Price
20% Off
Inkwell Charles X French Gothic in Patinated Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Inkwell Charles X French Gothic in Patinated Bronze, Early 19th Century
Gothic inkwell in patinated bronze and fine chiseled bronze decorated with arcatures, rosettes, polylobed mo...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
$2,818 Sale Price
20% Off
Mauro Manetti Style Boar Head Stirrup Cups
By Gucci
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
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire, made during 1820s-1830s in Europe. Classic Laurel Wreath from the Empire Era.
Wear c...
Category
1820s European Empire Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Christofle , silver plate paperweight " Lucky Dice ".cube .
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great paperweight design in this Christofle ornament .
Category
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Space Age Lucite and Chrome Catch It All
Located in San Diego, CA
Really nice and unique catch it all, circa 1970s, this piece was never used its in like-new condition.
Category
Late 20th Century Korean Space Age Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
$140 Sale Price
20% Off
Gilt Bronze and Griotte Red marble inkwell, Empire Period, early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Collection Leather Bound Library Book Set Thirteen
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Collection of gilt leather bound library book set of thirteen volumes. The works of William Shakespeare / The Cambridge text. Each boo...
Category
20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper, Leather
Brad Shute Abstract Paperweight, American Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking paperweight has abstract green and white glass design encased inside clear glass; controlled bubbles, dispersed among the free-flowing colored glass swirls, guide the eye a...
Category
1990s American Organic Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Sommerso
Elegant Paperweight in Bronze and Nero Portoro marble. Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in Bronze and Nero Portoro marble. Beautiful designed male lion. Made in France during the late 19th Century.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Marble Egg, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Marble egg is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century.
Made in Italy.
The work is realized entirely in marble.
The egg is re...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand, Two Cut Glass Inkwells With A Pen Tray
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Impressive Art Deco Egyptian Revival Desk Stand
With Two Cut Glass Metal Topped Inkwells With A Formed Pen Tray
Base Decorated With A Rope & Key Design
Will Be Supplied With Two ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Saint Clement Style Crackle Finish Ceramic Vase
Located in Miami, FL
French mid-century ceramic vase in the style of Saint Clement crackle finish pieces.
Good quality craftsmanship.
Unmarked.
Measures: 6 1/8" diameter x 12" high.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th century nautilus inkwell/paperweight
Located in London, GB
À beautiful bronze patinated iron inkwell/paperweight in the shape of a nautilus shell.
Category
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
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
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date.
This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlai...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Malachite, Onyx, Marble
Fontana Arte 1950s Modernist Glass Pen Holder or Stand and Ashtray Desk Set
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Beautiful vintage Mid-Century Modern desk set featuring an adjustable pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte. Made in Italy, circa ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Typewriter by Bar-Lock, England, 1921
Located in Praha, CZ
Oldschool typewriter made by Bar-Lock, in England, in the year 1921.
Made of bakelite, metal and chrome.
Repolished, cleaned, shows signs of use and age.
Fully functional.
Category
1920s German Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Typewriter/ HERMES 2000, Switzerland 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
HERMES 2000 is a Swiss product, made in the 1930s by the E. Paillard Company, based in the city of Yverdon
Fully functional
Made of metal, steel, chrome, f...
Category
1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Handmade Big Decorative Paperweight Cone in Satin Black Marquina Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
A decorative big cone full in black Marquina marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisans specialized ...
Category
2010s Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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
Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century
By Godin
Located in Knivsta, SE
Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century. Made in France in cast iron and painted with a beautiful patina. Probably an advertising item...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
Parker 75 Vermeil Sterling Silver GT Fountain With 14k Yellow Gold Nib
By Parker
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Parker 75 Vermeil Sterling Silver GT Fountain With 14k Yellow Gold Nib.
Supplied With An Original Parker Blue Leather, Blue Velvet Lined Presentation Box
Circa 1964-1969
Made in U...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Gold
Remington Standard Model 10 Typewriter Circa 1910
Located in Opole, PL
Remington Standard Model 10 Typewriter Circa 1910
The model, likely from 1910 with serial number RV63621, advertised with the slogan "To save time is to lengthen life." The machine ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Italian yellow marble mushroom, 1960s
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage Italian marble mushroom in buttercup yellow with charcoal veining, 1960s. Fab as paperweight or objet d’art. Pick up in central west Los Angeles or we ship worldwide.
3.25”...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster
$104 Sale Price
20% Off
Seguso Italian Murano Art Glass Vase
By Seguso Viro, Seguso
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and colorful Italian Seguso Viro Murano art glass vase, Italy, circa 1990s, late-20th century. Maker's mark on bottom/underside as shown...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Period French Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Japanese Lacquer Chinoiserie Inkwell Tray
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce nearly 300 year old Louis XV (1715-1774) period French gilt bronze ormolu mounted Japanned encrier (inkwell or inkstand)
Paris, France, circa 1750, exceptionally executed in Louis 14th exotic far-east Japanesque / Chinoiserie oriental styling, popular at the time due to the rise in trade with China and Japan throughout the 18th century, Parisian Vernis Martin lacquer work, decorated with lavish Rocaille elements, having three inkwells fitted with glass jar inserts and ornate fiolated acorn finial covers, on a black lacquer cartouche shaped tray with roster...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Valuable brass barometer station consisting of clock and barometer 1890
Located in Milan, IT
Valuable brass barometer station, consisting of clock and barometer inserted inside two irons from horseback surmounted by a pair of polo sticks.
French manufacture for the English ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Asprey Art Deco Sterling Silver & Shagreen Magnifying Glass
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent magnifying glass by the creme de la creme of English retailer's, Asprey of Bond Street, London. The silver is fully hallmarked for London 1928 together with the maker's mark W.M. The silver is also signed "Asprey London".
Excellent antique condition with minor wear commensurate with age measuring 7 3/4" x 3 5/8" x 5/8". A slight wobble to the magnifier due to the traditional pinned construction rather than glued, mentioned purely for accuracy.
The handle is made from polished Shagreen, a leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a Stingray. This type of Shagreen was first made popular by Jean-Claude Galluchat (d1774) a master leather worker in the Court of Louis XV in France. It became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy and later throughout Europe. Shagreen is derived from the French word “Chagrin”.
Asprey is a British retailer of jewellery, leather, silver and other luxury goods. Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands and has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and important actors on the world stage.
For over two centuries, Asprey has been regarded as a top British luxury lifestyle brand and the Bruton Street Flagship Store is considered a must see London destination.
Asprey’s broad product assortment includes jewellery, leather goods, accessories, silver, watches, clocks, first edition...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
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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