Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1970s
John Deacons Presse-papiers Millefiori with Yellow and White, 1960
By John Deacons
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
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
Bent Steel Letter Holder, By Yonel Lebovici
Located in New York City, NY
Letter Holder, By Yonel Lebovici, France 1970
Category
1970s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Folk Art vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutc...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
DeSimone Hand Painted 'Sunny Sunflower' Italian Small Ceramic Dish 1960's
By DeSimone
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
Pair of Roger Capron Ceramic Tree of Life Paperweights
By Roger Capron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Roger Capron tree of life stoneware paperweights
France, circa 1950’s
Beautifully preserved
Handmade, intricately etched trees
Organic matte finish
Marked identification
Can be used...
Category
1950s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Stoneware
MCM Bruce Fox Gold Anodized Aluminum 3D "Excellence" Motivation Desk Accessory
By Bruce Fox
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
Brass "Reserved" Button
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass decorative object or paperweight. This brass button showcases a round face with embossed "RESERVED" on the front. It would be great as an office paperweight or decorative obje...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Paul Ysart Magnum Concentric Millefiori Paperweight c1950
By Paul Ysart
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : A Paul Ysart Magnum Concentric Millefiori Paperweight c1950
Date : c1950
Origin : Scotland
Features : Three concentric rings of alternating millefiori canes inc complex can...
Category
1950s Scottish Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Hollow Brass Rectangular Object
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Industrial rectangular brass object. The brutalist form features a hollow center. The geometric block can be used as a bookend or decorative element.
Dimensions
4" width x 2" dept...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Biomorphic Malachite Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Biomorphic Malachite sculpture has a polished surface and raw rock bottom. The opaque polished stone features round patterned top and a textured underside. A playful sculpture or pap...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Malachite
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
Vintage Murano Sommerso Orb Blue Art Glass Ashtray
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass bowl or ashtray.
Italian Murano Sommerso Cenedese orb blue art glass ashtray.
Heavyweight glass ashtray in a gorgeous minimal design.
A very beautiful and substantial two-tone blue Italian Murano art glass cigarette ashtray...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
Gucci 1970 Milano Very Rare Vintage Horse Bit Trinket Tray in 24kt Gild Brass
By Gucci
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
Petite Millefiori Flowers Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight 1960s
By Murano 5
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
Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter and Case
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Smith corona typewriter and case.
Black Smith Corona standard typewriter made in USA. This typewriter features round glass keys. Th...
Category
1940s North American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Lot of 5 Lighters, Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half Giant Lighters
By Dunhill
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
Vintage Pierre Cardin Alarm Clock
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible and attractive vintage Pierre Cardin alarm clock. This piece in working condition is minimal and modern reflecting the visionary desig...
Category
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Letter Holder, Inkwell, Art Nouveau, Circa 1930s, Belle Epoque
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique desk utensil from brass. Letter holder with inkwell.
Category
1930s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Brass bouquet, 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful brass bouquet from the second half of the 1900s.
l12 x 7 x 4 cm.
Good conditions!
Category
1970s European Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
20th century Vintage Marble and Brass Phone from Italy, 1960s
Located in LEGNY, FR
20th century marble phone made in Italy in the 60s.
Green marble and brass. Still working. Very good state. Retro style.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vtg Italian Mid Century Heavy Art Glass Owl Figure Paperweight Black and White
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Mid Century Heavy Art Glass Owl Figure Paperweight Black and White. Believed to be Italian. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 8" H x 3.5" W x 5" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Murano Sommerso Orb Blue Art Glass Vintage Ashtray Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass bowl or ashtray.
Italian Murano Sommerso orb blue and clear art glass ashtray
Extremely hard to fi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown 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
By Tomado
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 Terracotta Ashtray, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage terracotta Ashtray, 1970s.
Hand painted and signed on rear.
2 x 13 x 10 cm.
Good conditions!
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Terracotta
Danish Modern Solid Teak Double Letter Desk Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and functional Danish modern teak double letter desk tray circa the 1980s. The trays are made of dovetailed solid teak. The piece is in very good condition and would make a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Teak
Vintage Wood Briefcase with Combination Locks and Wooden Handle
Located in Sofia, BG
Elegant vintage briefcase constructed from several woods, burr walnut veneer, with combination locks and wooden handle, the interior with light beige suede lining and pockets with br...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Enticing Berry Red Stemmed Fruit Crystal Perfume Bottle, England 1980's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Delicious berry red 'Stemmed Fruit' crystal perfume bottle with a clear crystal stopper
A desirable piece of contemporary counter-balanced glass art
Created by Ian Hankey for Teign V...
Category
Mid-20th Century English 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
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
Art Deco Wood, Fur and Leather Desk Set, 5 Pieces by Dan Karner France
By Dan Karner 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite desk set by Dan Karner, also known as Daniel Karner, showcases the beauty of French Art Deco design. Crafted with genuine pony skin fur, rich cognac leather, intricate...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Zoomorph paperweight by Juliette Derel, France 1960'S
Located in Paris, FR
Zoomorph paperweight by Juliette Derel, France 1960'S
Category
1960s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
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
French Blue Gold and White Porcelain Desk Letter Mail Holder from Paris
Located in New York, NY
A French white porcelain desk letter or mail holder with small flowers and leaves in the Rococo design style, circa mid-20th century, Paris, France. Piece with scalloped edge is hand...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Rococo Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Art Deco Egyptian Faux Snakeskin Writing Desk Set, Ashtray & Letter Rack
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Art Deco Egyptian Faux Snakeskin Writing Desk Set, Ashtray & Letter Rack
Measurements for the items combined
Category
1930s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
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
Colored Murano Glass Paperweight, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Colored Murano glass paperweight, Italy, 1970s
It belonged to my grandfather who bought it during his honeymoon.
Intact, excellent condition.
Category
1970s Italian 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
Beautifully Styled Ceylonese Porcupine Quill, Lidded Dark Wood Conical Pot
By SILVA (Sri Lanka)
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb Ceylonese porcupine quill lidded pot in a most unusual conical shape
Fashioned in dark wood and decorated with quill pieces
All quills are present and in excellent order. Int...
Category
1950s Sri Lankan British Colonial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Hardwood
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
Gucci Desk Planner in Black Leather and Brass, 1970s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic black leather Gucci desk planner with brass bindings containing two notepads titled “To-day” and “To-Morrow”. Small window at the bottom of each leather flap showing the day. S...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Art Deco / Folk aRT Candy Store, National Cash Register, stenciled and painted
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charming and Unusual Art Deco / Folk aRT Candy Store National Cash Register, stenciled and painted.. Great little decorative item.. Fully functional.. Retains original stenciled and ...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Modernist Chrome and Tortoiseshell Lucite Desk Pad, France 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautiful French modernist desk blotter pad features streamlined high polish chromed metal framing with tortoise (tortoiseshell) Lucite insert. The inside is in yellow butter si...
Category
1970s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Czechoslovakian Dresser Set
Located in Fairfax, VA
Fantastic three-piece Czechoslovakian dresser set from 1930s. The dark green glass with deep cut cherubs playing music framed in bronze is so beautifully d...
Category
1930s Czech Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Italian Black Marble Column
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Italian marble column in black with white and tan veining . The turned column sits atop a square plinth with a stepped base. A nice decorative addition to a desk or a bookshelf.
Category
Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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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