Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 1970s
1960's Stone and Brass Match Holder and Striker signed "Footlighters 1969"
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Stone and Brass Match Holder and Striker, signed "Footlighters 1969," embodies the essence of the 1960s era. Crafted from stone and brass, it e...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern gilt bronze rocker ink blotter
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the side)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.5"W x 2.38"...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Bobble Head Rooster Crayon Pencil Holder Stand Figure Denmark Mid Century, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Danish design wood rooster sculpture as a pencil holder. Nice addition to your table or just for your collection of design items. Made of wood, metal and felting....
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Sculpture of a Stylized Cat Designed by Livio Seguso for Graal Glass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Sculpture of a Stylized Cat Designed by Livio Seguso ca. 1970s
A cute sculpture of a stylized cat in smoke grey glass. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. It was desig...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
1960s Cartier Sterling Silver Oversized Desktop Paperclips, Set of 3
By Cartier
Located in Richmond, VA
Listed is an absolutely stunning and incredibly rare, set of three, Cartier sterling-silver oversized desktop paperclips, circa 1960s. The set includes: "Paid," "Unpaid," and "Unansw...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Ilias Lalaounis Sterling Silver and Bronze "Barley" Metapontum Coin Paperweight
By Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
Ilias Lalaounis sterling silver and bronze "Barley" paperweight after an ancient coin of Metapontum 5th Century B.C. in its original box and documentation
20th Century
Marks: Lalaoun...
Category
20th Century Greek Classical Greek Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Murano Vintage Amber Silver Brown Turquoise Blue Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
1960s Italian mid-century modern sculptural Murano glass fish of exquisite craftmanship, attributed to Archimede Seguso. It is realized using the Sommerso technique, a crystal clear ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Leaf
Vintage Italian Silver Dog Pen Tray - Dachshunds c.1968
Located in Bath, GB
An absolutely charming desk-top pen tray made from solid Italian silver (800/1000) in Venice by Rossi & Arcandi in the late 1960's.
A wonderful subject, the tray is has the front wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Jean Gerbino For Vallauris, France, Ceramic Glazed Sage Mosaic Lidded Pot 1960's
By Jean Gerbino
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Jean Gerbino for Vallauris, France, ceramic glazed mosaic lidded pot
Sage green, terracotta and cream shades, beautifully crafted
Circa 1960's
Signed Gerbino to base
Height 2.5 inch...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Signed 1975 John Barber Studio Art Glass Swirl Paperweight Weight - Blue Chrome
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This exceptional 1975 John Barber Studio Art Glass Swirl Paperweight Weight stands out as a rare find with its distinctive blue chrome hues. The piece is not only signed by the renowned artist John Barber but also showcases a captivating swirl pattern, making it a unique and collectible addition to any art glass enthusiast's collection. The fusion of the rare signature, the vintage year...
Category
1970s Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Scandinavian Modern Paperweight in Pewter, ca 1930s
Located in Örebro, SE
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern paperweight in pewter, ca 1930s.
Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
Art Deco Desk Set Inkwell In Alabaster and Bronze Elephant
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautifull Art Deco desk set in Alabaster and Bronze with large decorative Elephant, inkwell and carved area as penholder. This is a wonderful piece ...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pre-War Metal Inkwell with Bird Figurine
Located in Opole, PL
Pre-War Metal Inkwell with Bird Figurine
Metal inkwell with a bird figurine, dating back to the early 20th century. In good condition, one of the lids has ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Tiffany Studios Zodiac Bronze Doré Blotter Corners With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter corners featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom black leather desk blotter
By Tiffany Studios (signed to...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Mies van der Rohe Style Steel and Glass Desk
Located in New York, NY
The Ludwig Mies van der Rohe style steel and glass desk,
measure approximately 30 inches in height, 60 inches in width, and 30 inches in dep...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Multi Color Handled Letter Opener or Dagger with Stone Between Silver Spacers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A small letter opener and / or Dagger. We like to think if you receive a love letter or valentine this is a letter opener, for bills and tedious documents it would be a dagger.
The...
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Steel
20th Century Italian Purple Glass Plateau
Located in High Point, NC
Discover the elegance of the 20th century Italian craftsmanship with this captivating purple glass plateau. Its sleek, undulating form and the rich purple hue at its center set again...
Category
20th Century Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Italian Art Deco Letter Holder in Stainless With Brass Accents
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant mirror shine, Letter holder like new condition circa 1940's stamped made in Italy great for Mid Century Danish Modern Deco decor.
Category
20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern bronze pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 8.75"W x 2.75"D x 0.5"H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios Graduate Pattern Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period patinated bronze Graduate pattern blotter ends in verdigris finish, with a custom green leather desk blotter.
By Tiffany Studios ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Murano Sommerso Glowing Uranium Green Italian Art Glass Owl Bird Figurine
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and cute, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso bright yellow-green with inner olive green head, Italian art glass owl figurine sculpture. It has red applies eyes and stands o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Uranium ...
1970's Space Age Park Sherman Rotating Cork & Chrome Desk Pencil Pen Holder
By Park Sherman
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool rotating pencil pen desk top holder, circa 1970's very clean original condition great for Mid-century, Danish modern Postmodern home decor.
Category
20th Century American Space Age Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Bronze Geometric Paperweight, Brass-Plated, 1980s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Bronze Geometric Paperweight, Brass-Plated, 1980s
This bronze paperweight looks like a gem, thanks to its graphic and geometric lines.
This piece was designed in 1987 for the 20th ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Art Déco German Silvered Metal Pen Tray and Inkwell Decorative Desk Stand by WMF
Located in North Miami, FL
Art Déco german silvered/plated metal pen tray and inkwell decorative desk stand by Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik (WMF)
By: Württembergisc...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Silver, Silver Plate
Macassar Wood Letter Rack by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Montreal, QC
Maccassar Letter rack by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann
graduated semi-circle slats on l base,
Iron stamped: "Ruhlmann
Category
1930s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Macassar
An Italian marble mushroom objet d’art in magenta, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A monumental vintage Italian marble mushroom paperweight / objet d’art. In rare tones of magenta with pewter veining. A repair is apparent when examined from below. Pick up in centra...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Paul J. Stankard Upright Root People/Bees Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Additional Information: Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach, Florida. “What Walt Whitman did with words, I seek to do in...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Doré Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern gilt bronze desk letter rack
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6"W x 3"D ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Ancient Greek Bronze Spartan Corinthian Helmet
Located in Pasadena, CA
Ancient Greek Bronze Spartan Corinthian Helmet in a miniature size. Womderful desk weight in amazing painta. Great texture and weight to this helmet. M...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Adirondack Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Bookmark In The Shape Of An Open-Book In Box
Located in High Wycombe, GB
An Original Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Bookmark In The Shape Of An Open-Book
Stamped Tiffanys and 925 on Reverse
& In Original Iconic Blue Presentation Velvet Dust Sheet & Box ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Bookend model 453 by Max Le Verrier
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of squirrel book presses model N° 453, made of bronze with green patina and with a green marble base. Made by Max Le Verrier (1891- 1973). Signed M ...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Bamboo Letter Holder Desk Organizer
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bamboo Letter Holder or Desk Organizer. Three compartments on top and two large shelves on bottom. Good condition and sturdy, ready to use...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Adirondack Desk Accessories
Materials
Bamboo
Arts & Crafts Sculptural Owl Forged Iron Inkwell by Goberg Hugo Berger Antique
By Hugo Berger, Goberg
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Fantastic hand-forged Arts & Crafts figural Inkwell in shape of an owl, believed to be made by Goberg ~ 1900. The owl is made of forged iron with a lovely patina and bears yellow gla...
Category
Early 1900s German Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Murano Red White Spot Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and very unusual, vintage Murano hand blown deep red-orange and white spots Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool sculptural paperweight. The mushroom has an original impo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Vintage Fan, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage fan.
Manufactured Spain, circa 1940.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
The mechanic...
Category
1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Eastman Kodak Jiffy Kodak Six-20 Strut Folding Camera Rochester NY 30's
Located in High Wycombe, GB
An Art Deco Eastman Kodak Jiffy Kodak Six-20 Folding Rollfilm Camera
Styled by Walter Dorwin Teague Made in Rochester NY, USA between 1933 & 1937
Takes 620 roll film
Classificatio...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Functional unused phone in top condition, Tesla T65H 1969, Czech Republic
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
- Never used, in original box top condition !!!!
- Fully functional.
- Tesla manufacturer.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Midcentury Functional Tesla Phone 1960s, Československo
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition.
- Fully functional.
- Tesla manufacturer.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Inkwell attributed to Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
Located in Lugo, IT
Glass inkwell attributed to a design by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
Thank you
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Georg Jensen Continental, Letter Opener in silver
By Georg Jensen
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Georg Jensen Continental letter opener. Handle made of sterling silver, blade made of stainless steel.
Stamped: Georg Jensen, Sterling, Denmark
Measures: 19,5 cm
Category
20th Century European Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
Mission / Craftsman Style American Quarter Sawn Oak Waste Basket by Stickley
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well constructed mission / craftsman style American quarter sawn oak waste basket by Stickley, circa 2004.
The waste basket is in very good condition and measures 13"W x 13"...
Category
20th Century American American Craftsman Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
Vintage 1980s Cast Resin Faux Agate Stone Marble Desk Pad w/ Raised Side Rails
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1980s Cast Resin Faux Agate Stone Marble Desk Pad w/ Raised Side Rails. Circa 1980 Measurements: >0.25" H x 30" W x 20" D.
Category
1980s Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Eastman Kodak No 2 Folding Autographic Brownie Folding Bellow Camera In Red
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Eastman Kodak No 2 Folding Autographic Brownie Folding Bellows Camera In Red
Manufactured between 1915 & 1926
Takes 120 Rollfilm
With Kodak Ballbearing...
Category
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Paul J. Stankard Bee Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Additional Information: Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach, Florida. “What Walt Whitman did with words, I seek to do in...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom black leather desk blotter
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, E...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Mid Century Modern Rotating Cube Cork and Chrome Desk Organizer
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage mid century modern cube shaped desk organizer or desk accessory in cork and chrome. Has two compartments; one seemingly for pens and pencils, the other for a small notepad. H...
Category
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Paper basket Bin by Piero Fornasetti for Atelier Fornasetti, 1950s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Paper basket / Bin by Piero Fornasetti for Atelier Fornasetti, 1950s
Its made of tin, decor of rattan in gold color. It stands on brass feet.
Amazingly beautiful labeling underneath...
Category
1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Tin
Crumpled WSJ / Newspaper Paperweight by Designer Tibor Kalman for M & Co. / MOMA
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool crumpled WSJ / newspaper paperweight by designer Tibor Kalman for M & Co. and MOMA, circa 1980s. This three-dimensional art object is made of...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Acrylic
Cartier 1926 Tom Pouce Ladies Lighter 18kt Gold Bronze Champlevé Emerald & Lapis
Located in Miami, FL
Mughal ladies Tom Pouce lighter designed by Cartier.
Fabulous and extremely rare ladies cylindrical gasoline lighter. Created in Paris during the art deco period by the house of Cartier, back in the middle of the 1920's. This miniature Tom Pouce lighter, takes its name from the classic short fairy tales by the Grimm's brothers, Tom Thumb (Tom Pouce being the French translation). It was crafted with Champlevé colored enamels over rustic bronze and accented with details in yellow gold of 18 karats. Embellished with natural lapis lazuli and an emerald. The main outside body is decorated with organics elements and figures of red and blue birds. Gorgeous look and surely a great conversation piece which is accompanied by the round Cartier red box.
Champlevé, in the decorative arts, is an enameling technique or an object made by the champlevé process, which consists of cutting away troughs or cells in a metal plate and filling the depressions with pulverized vitreous enamel. The raised metal lines between the cutout areas form the design outline.
Emerald: Accented on top in a bezel setting, with 1 square faceted cut of a natural green emerald of about 0.15 carats.
Lapis: Mount with 1 flat round cabochon cut, carved from lapis lazuli of about 1.25 carats.
Birthstone: Emerald for the month of May.
Weight: 21.95 Grams, (14.07 Dwt).
Measurements: Have a diameter of 16 mm and a height of 33 mm (0.63 x 1.30 Inches).
Hallmarks Stamped with the maker's mark, the serial numbers, the French taxation mark for luxury items BL inside a rectangular cartouche and signed, "CARTIER 5554", stamped with matching cases numbers, 13 & 13.
Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945
Note: On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold), 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple copper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel. It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Gold, Bronze, Enamel
Paul J. Stankard Botanical / Root People Upright Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Additional Information: The paperweight details include a root person and flowers. Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach, ...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Barbini Murano Sommerso Blue Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green to blue, and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture on pedestal. Documented to Master glass artist and designer Alfredo Barbi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Leaf
Art Deco Inkwell with Original Inkwell Glass, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco inkwell with original inkwell glass vienna around 1920s.
Original inkwell glass.
Polished and stove enamelled.
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Blue Glass Inkwell, Hand-Painted, France, 1930s
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique glass inkwell.
Stong blue colour of the glass and nicely hand painted accents.
Zinc lids.
Category
20th Century French Desk Accessories
Materials
Zinc
Paul J. Stankard Yellow Flowers & Root Person Upright Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Additional Information: Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach, Florida. “What Walt Whitman did with words, I seek to do in...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Paul J. Stankard Ant Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Additional Information: Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach, Florida. “What Walt Whitman did with words, I seek to do in...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Paul J. Stankard “Experimental” Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Additional Information: Provenance: Private Collection, Palm Beach, Florida. “What Walt Whitman did with words, I seek to do in...
Category
20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Tiffany Studios Greek Key Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring Greek Key symbols, with a custom black leather desk blotter.
By Tiffany Studios
New York, US...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
John Deacons Perthshire Millefiori glass presse-papier 1970
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Glass paperweight.
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 ...
Category
20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
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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Small Leather Tray
Antique Traveling Desk
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French Antique Inkwells
Desk Shaped Inkwell
Gold Pen Holder