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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Style: Louis XVI
Carl Auböck Midcentury Lucky Charm Pig Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist pig keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Aus...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Paperweight Murano Milie fleur, 1960
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Paperweight Murano Miliefleur, 1960 Additional information: Dimensions: 7.5 W x 7.5 D x 6 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Table fan ATAS, 220V - 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
Fully functional. 220V, European plug. New power cable.
Category

Early 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Mille fleur Murano Paper Weight with Beautiful Flowers
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Murano Paper Weight with Beautiful Flowers Additional information: Dimensions: 6.5 W x 6.5 D x 4 H cm Condition: Good
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Abstract, Organic Gabriel Fourmaintraux Hand Painted Ceramic Vide Poche c1950's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Organic in form, abstract ceramic vide poche by Gabriel Fourmaintraux, France Strong pallet of red, yellow and orange enamels contrast wonderfully with the exterior matt black glaze ...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Paperweight of Beautifully Crafted Glass Colored Gray Purple
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Paperweight of Beautifully Crafted Glass Colored Gray Purple Additional information: Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 5.5 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Italian mid-century modern brown metal wall filing cabinet card holder, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern brown metal wall filing cabinet card holder, 1960s Rectangular industrial wall card holder or filing cabinet, painted brown wit...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Venetian Carnival Harlequin, Pallet Shaped Enamelled Vide Poche, Italy 1960s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Artist's pallet shaped ceramic dish decorated with an enamelled Venetian Harlequin musician Super little piece of Italian carnival art Circa 1960's S...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

John Deacons Presse-papiers Millefiori with Yellow and White, 1960
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
John Deacons Presse-papiers Millefiori with Yellow and White, 1960 Beautiful paperweight large white yellow 1960 by John Deacons. Glass paperweight. A paperweight is an object that...
Category

1960s Scottish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Paperweight Orange with Van Granna Glasbruk Sweden, 2005 / 2006
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Paperweight Orange with Van Granna Glasbruk Sweden, Additional information: Dimensions: 9 W x 9 D x 9 H cm Period of Time: 2005 Country of origin: Sweden Condition: Good
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Mid Century Modern Amber Paper Weight
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Paper Weight Amber or Mustard Colored . Mid Century Modern Table Decor. Possibly Glass Material Dimensions. 4 Dia ; 1 H
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Darling, Multicoloured Hand Blown Glass Duckling Figure Archimede Seguso, Murano
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely darling little Archimede Seguso duckling figurine Delightful hand blown glass artistry from Seguso Circa 1980's Signed Archimede Seguso, Murano to base, with original lab...
Category

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

Materials

Glass

19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Rounded Globe Style Tantalus Liquor Set
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual 19th century French Ormolu Mounted Globe Style Tantalus liquor set. The round globe top which rests on an elongated ormolu base is not common to find. The crystal top is m...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Paperweight with a Nice Sleek Finish and a Beautiful Orange Colour
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Paperweight with a Nice Sleek Finish and a Beautiful Orange Colour Additional information: Dimensions: 6.5 W x 6.5 D x 7 H cm This sphere has damage and a number G04029 engraved. A paperweight is an object that can be placed on a desk on top of papers to prevent them from blowing away. This goes back a long way, in Egypt they already used paperweight...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Paperweight Orange with Black/White/Green Bows
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Paperweight Orange with Black/White/Green Bows Additional information: Dimensions: 8.5 W x 8.5 D x 7 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

DeSimone Hand Painted 'Sunny Sunflower' Italian Small Ceramic Dish 1960's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
DeSimone of Italy, 'Sunny Sunflower' is typical of DeSimone's colourful and playful art. Hand painted yellow sunflower motif to centre with a bright blue rim This small bowl is weig...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Bronze Foot an Early Example from the Carl Aubock Workshop Sculpture Paperweight
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Marked, "MADE IN AUSTRIA" We are assume this is an earlier version of the, 'Best Foot Forward' desktop paperweight. Wonderful patina, presented in as found condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Murano Yellow Blue Stripes Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Fish Aquarium Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown blue, yellow and gold flecks Italian art glass fish aquarium sculpture block. Created in the manner of the Cenedese and A.Ve.M. companies. The fis...
Category

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

Materials

Silver Leaf

Italian Murano Millefiori Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, Italian Murano, hand-blown, art glass paperweight with red, green and white millefiori (a thousand flowers) technique enclosed in clear glass. Circa mid to late-20th century,...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Dutch Round Glass Paperweight Ball Signed with Oude Horn leerdam W Heesen
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Dutch Round Glass Paperweight Ball Signed with O Horn, 1980 Oude Horn Leerdam from Willem Heesen Additional information: Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 5 H c...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Leggio da Tavolo Italiano Tiglio Scolpito con Motivi Fogliati e Dorato Metà 1700
Located in Milan, IT
Dall'Italia Settentrionale un affascinante accessorio da scrivania, un Leggio da Tavolo Scolpito e Dorato della metà 1700 in legno di tiglio, appoggiato su quattro piedini torniti ch...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Giltwood

MCM Bruce Fox Gold Anodized Aluminum 3D "Excellence" Motivation Desk Accessory
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Bruce Fox motivational desk accessory 3D Font " Excellence " in gold anodized aluminum. In fine condition, maybe needs to clean a little better, mino...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Paperweight
Located in Charleston, SC
A fantastic mid-century Italian marble paperweight with yellow glass eyes. Carved beautifully. Measures 3” x 3”. Circa 1960’s
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Italian Barovier Toso Brass & Turquoise Crystal Murano Glass Modern Photo Frame
Located in New York, NY
21st century modern sophisticated and elegant contemporary picture frame in thick blown Murano glass: the crystal clear glass frame worked with “torchon” technique, handcrafted twist...
Category

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

Materials

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 ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Vintage Silver Plate Engraved and Monogrammed Notepad Holder - England
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite silver plate monogrammed desk pad and pen holder. This piece features a flip-up top portion that reveals an area for holding a small notepad with faux leather padding. The t...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Brass & Copper Egyptian Revival Pyramid Sculptural Paperweight, 1960's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Brass & Copper Egyptian Revival Pyramid Sculptural Paperweight, 1960's.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Copper

1970's Antonio Da Ros 'Attr.' for Cenedese Clear Murano Bubble Glass Paperweight
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare, Mid-Century Modern vintage signed cone shaped paperweight with singular trapped air bubble inclusion within the clear glass. The design of this conical shaped desk paperweight ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Clear Hand Blown Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-blown, clear, oblong, art glass paperweight features a clear hand-blown center ring with several controlled bubbles atop and below with the faintest hints of orange dash around ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

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

Sweet Little Dog Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Money Box c1960s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Adorable hand painted ceramic Italian money box from the 1960's A joyful palette of colours brings this piece to life Circa 1960's Signed M33 Italy ...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Mica Mineral Specimen
Located in New York, NY
A large vintage mica specimen featuring mica blades clustered together in various positions and angles. Considering the general flakiness of mica, this pi...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Petite Millefiori Flowers Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. Showing some flowers. Colors are a blue, white, green and clear. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop or as a decorat...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Lot of 5 Lighters, Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half Giant Lighters
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Lot of 5 Rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill Aquarium table lighters (made in England) Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand ca...
Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome, Silver Plate

Nostalgic 1960's Italian Ceramic Tiger Cub, Adorable Retro
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Undeniably appealing, Italian retro ceramic tiger cub from the 1960's Hand painted and glazed, vibrant and striking Circa 1960's Signed Italy Height 10 inch, Width 8 inch, Depth 6 in...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Austrian Midcentury Brown Glazed Ceramic Bear Book Ends by Anzengruber
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming Bear ceramic bookends have been designed and manufactured by the Viennese midcentury artist Leopold Anzengruber. Born in 1912 he founded his own company Anzengruber Ker...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superbly crafted hand blown angel fish by Archimede Seguso, Murano, Italy Circa 1970's Signed with original label on base Height 4 inch, Width 2.25 inch, Depth 5.5inch In very good...
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Vintage Scholar's Instrument Set, English, Nickel Steel, Draughtsman's Tool Case
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage scholar's instrument set. An English, nickel steel draughtsman's tool case, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Unmarked tools, but of fine industrial quality as expected Displays a desirable aged patina throughout Presented in a patinated reddish brown case, some wear commensurate with age Interior dressed in bright cobalt blue, with silk cotton and velvet respectively Comprehensive scholarly set of tools and accessories, comprising 9 pieces in total Pair of compass...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Tomado Holland Mid-Century-Modern Metal Desk Office Paper Waste Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
A functional 1960s Mid-Century-Modern desk accessory, office waste-basket designed by Tomado, Holland. The oval shape boasts a light gray metal structure with a typical polychrome mo...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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

Olivetti Synthesis 'Synthesis 45' Complete set plus clamp desk organizer
Located in Milano, IT
Olivetti ‘Synthesis 45' complete set with rare clamp desk organizer, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti italy in 1972. This versatile set offers the option of combining the pieces or using them separately as per your preference. These vintage pieces are in excellent condition, bearing the stamp of the maker, signifying their authenticity. For more insights into the iconic 'Synthesis 45' series by Sottsass for Olivetti, you can refer to the book "Sottsass Olivetti Synthesis...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

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

Baccarat "Victor Hugo" Crystal Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French midcentury (1980s-1990s) limited edition (28/450) " Victor Hugo" crystal inkwell with a six-sided shape and a cut star base (signed BACCARAT). Baccarat Crystal has, from the...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Mid-century Phone Tesla, 1980's.
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Plastic With Aged Patina Cleaned Fully Functional Good Vintage Condition
Category

1980s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Tall Art Glass Blue Swirl Jellyfish Paperweight
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Artisan-made, hand-blown, art glass paperweight by Rochester Folk Art Guild features a graceful, cobalt blue form resembling a jellyfish or a flower encased in a clear glass tall obl...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Wonderful Piece Of Italian Kitsch, Ceramic Sports Car And Driver c1960s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Italian ceramic car and driver from the 1960's, a fun piece of Italian kitsch Rossa pink lustre glaze - beautifully respected Circa 1960's Signed Italy ...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Alfred Dunhill 1950 West Germany Desk Petrol Mechanical Lighter 12 Inches Ruler
Located in Miami, FL
Twelve Inches ruler desk lighter designed by Dunhill. Very unusual and stunning desk petrol lighter, designed by Dunhill back in the 1950. This mechanical lighter has been crafted in West Germany in the shape of a 12 inches ruler, made up in steel with high polished chrome plating. Weight: 262.6 Grams, (168.34 Dwt). Measurements: 327 mm by 39 mm (12.88 x 1.54 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "Dunhill MADE IN WEST GERMANY". Alfred Dunhill inherited his father’s London saddlery in 1893. Following the increase in motor car ownership, Alfred developed the business to include motoring accessories, which he called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. This included goggles, timepieces, picnic sets, and leather coats, and it wasn’t long before the brand became associated with men’s general motoring attire. They opened two shops in Mayfair and had a catalogue of over 1300 items. Between the 1904 and 1905, Dunhill introduced their ‘Windshield Pipe’, to help drivers combat the effect of wind and travel on their ability to smoke. This marked both the end of the ‘motorities’ focus and their entry into the world of smoking ephemera, and they shortly opened their first tobacconist in 1907 on Duke Street. The proximity to several esteemed Private Members Clubs around the Mayfair, St James’ area ensured that the venture was a success. (From Nicholas Wells With Thanks). Literature: Blei-Bottoni Ref-630 (6 Inches) Pp-318 Illustrated. Note: This version was retailed for 20.00 usd, back in the 1950s. It is noted by Blei-Bottoni as hard to find. Collateral: It is accompanied by the designer's presentation green pouch...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian clear and red Murano glass paperweight with gold fleck infused, made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: Diameter 4 inches, height 4 inches 1 in stock in Los Angeles Orde...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Rare Foitzik Trier Unca 120 Roll Film Bellow Camera Made in Germany 1952
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Rare Foitzik Trier Unca 120 Roll Film Bellow Camera Made in Germany 1952 Model Unca (6x6) The Foitzik-Kamerawerke were founded in 1945 in Lübeck, northern Germany, by machine cons...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

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

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a giant octopuses, in a glass bubble floating on controlled bubbles. Colors are a blue, yellow, red and c...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

leather and brass desk pad attributed to Jacques Adnet circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
leather and brass desk pad attributed to Jacques Adnet circa 1950
Category

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

Materials

Brass

"Bulletin Cube" MCM Cork & Chrome Desk Organizer / Pencil Holder by Park Sherman
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice "Bulletin Cube" MCM cork and chrome rotating desk organizer / pencil holder by Park Sherman, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

1980s Op-Art Multi Colored Lucite Sculpture of a Circle, Triange & Rectangle
Located in St. Louis, MO
In the style of Vasa Mihich or Shlomi Haziza, 1980s sculpture colored beveled shapes made of acrylic or lucite with pink circle, yellow triangle, teal rectangle on a purple base. Thi...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Carlo Scarpa Mezza Filigrana Vanity Mirror for Venini, circa 1935
Located in Englewood, NJ
A fine Italian Mid Century Modern glass "Mezza Filigrana" vanity mirror designed by, Carlo Scarpa for Venini. The mirror frame is internally decorated with pink lattice decoration an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Molded Teak Plywood Double Letter Tray in the Style of Martin Aberg / Rainbow
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice and functional double letter tray in the style of Martin Aberg for Rainbow Wood Products Company of Sweden, circa 1970s. The trays are made of molded teak plywood and can s...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

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

Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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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