Desk Accessories
to
121
779
19
8
33
746
27
442
214
40
45
36
104
116
26
9
1
10
4
2
1,343
810
579
302
287
227
63
57
52
51
50
40
39
38
38
30
25
24
618
226
159
142
111
392
295
604
251
149
144
69
Height
to
Width
to
806
799
806
67
26
24
15
15
Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Art Nouveau
Marchak Paris 1920 Art Deco Translucent Agate Desk Tray In Gilt Sterling Silver
By Marchak
Located in Miami, FL
Desk tray designed by Marchak Paris.
An unusual and very rare desk tray, created in Paris France by the luxury house of Marchak during the art deco period, back in the early 1920. T...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Bronze Paperweight Sculpture of a Bird or Swan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, France, a beautifully designed and sculpted bronze figure of a bird. A wonderful paperweight or stand alone sculpture. A compliment to any shelf or work station.
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Rene Lalique Clear and Frosted Glass 'Cernay' Inkwell
By René Lalique
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Rene Lalique clear and frosted glass 'Cernay' Inkwell. This pattern features a cluster of berries to the lid and leaves to the base. Moulded makers mark, 'R. LALIQUE'. Book reference...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Letter Rack by Jacques Adnet
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Jacques Adnet & the Compagnie des arts Français letter rack. Chromed metal consisting of a series of vertical blades of curved section resting on rectangul...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass, Chrome
Art Deco Bronze Seated Woman Joe Descomps
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Art Deco bronze (Seated woman)
artist Joe Descomps (1869-1950)
Origin France
silver and gilded
Onix marble base
possible missing - rod with three birds.
Emmanuel-Jules-Joseph Descomps, known as Joé Descomps or Descomps-Cormier, is a French sculptor and goldsmith, born January 18, 1869 in Clermont-Ferrand and died April 24, 1950 in Paris.
Biography
Sculptor, engraver, master goldsmith, Joé Descomps is a student of Louis-Auguste Hiolin...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique Art Nouveau Double Inkwell on Sterling Silver Tray by J E Caldwell & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Art Nouveau double inkwell on sterling silver tray by J E Caldwell & Co., circa 1900. This stunning piece features two square crystal wells with etched floral designs in the ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Hermes Vintage Leather and Bronze Desk Magnifying Glass
By Hermès
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Hermes Leather and Bronze Desk Magnifying Glass
Elegant gilt bronze magnifying glass with black leather handle stamped Hermes Paris from th...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Cartier Trinity Ribbed Silver Plated Pen With Red Cartier Box & Red Enamel Clip
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier Trinity Ribbed Silver Plated Ballpoint Pen With Red Cartier Box & Enamel Clip
Stunning Example of a Must De Cartier ballpoint pen, featuring the classic trinity rings and an...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Wilmott Manufacturing Co. Art Deco Sterling Silver Desk Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Wilmott Manufacturing Co. (Birmingham) Art Deco sterling silver desk set.
Category
20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Sterling Silver Inkwell by John & William Deakin
Located in San Diego, CA
Art Deco sterling silver inkwell by John & William Deakin of Chester, England, circa 1921. The inkwell has a single back hinge to open the lid and a saucer cap as well as the origina...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Cartier 18ct Gold Plated & Red Lacquered Ballpoint With Red Cartier Box
By Cartier
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Cartier 18ct Gold Plated & Red Lacquered Ballpoint With Red Cartier Box
Stunning Example of a Must De Cartier ballpoint pen, featuring the classic trinity rings and an enamel ident ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate
Swedish GAB Patinated Bronze Desk Set, 1930s – 5-Piece
Located in Stockholm, SE
Description:
Sophisticated 5-piece desk set designed by Einar "Myggan" Forseth for Guldsmedsaktiebolaget (GAB), Sweden, circa 1930s. Executed in richly patinated bronze, this rare en...
Category
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
American Art Nouveau Paperclip with Long-Tressed Nymph
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau sterling silver paper clip. Made by Graff, Washbourne & Dunn in New York, ca 1900. Long-tressed nymph emerges from the water with bosom concealed by waterlily pads. In re...
Category
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Illuminated Terrestrial Globe by Barrère & Thomas, France 1940s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
French globe by Girard Barrère & Thomas. This small glowing glass globe was made before 1948. Typical Art Deco design on a step-shaped base made of aluminum and a globe made of glass.
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Gargoyle Moboloil Gas Pump Globe, Double Sided, with raised letter and logo
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very Rarer Mobiloil 1-Piece Gargoyle Gas Globe
Stunning all original Mobiloil Gargoyle Cabinet Globe. This globe has no touchups or repairs or cracks anywhere. You don't find them like this often.
Perfect Gift for any collector : Gas / Oil / Automobilia / Hood Ornament / Car Mascot / Porcelain signs / Automotive . Vintage Mobiloil Gargoyle Original Paint Globe Gas Pump Oil
Gargoyle Moboloil Gas Pump Globe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Opaline Glass
Art Deco Cubist Pelican Paperweight Desk Sculpture by G.H. Laurent, France, 1925
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Cubist Pelican paperweight desk sculpture by G.H. Laurent, France, 1925.
Art Deco cubist pelican figure mounted over a Italian marble. Dark Green original patina on the bir...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Inkwell WMF Germany Juatice silver plate Art nuveau.
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Inkwell WMF Germany (Juatice)
silver plate,
crica 1920 Art nuveau.
Art nouveau, modernist art or modernism was an international artistic and decorative movement, developed between ap...
Category
1920s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
19th C. Jugendstil German Cut Glass Crystal Inkwell with Polished 800 Silver Lid
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Jugendstil german cut glass crystal inkwell with polished 800 silver lid
By: unknown
Material: glass, cut glass, crystal, si...
Category
Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s WPA-Style Walnut Desk Organizer
Located in Red Lion, PA
1930s WPA-Style Wooden Desk Organizer
This 1930s WPA-style desk accessory is a superb example of Great Depression-era craftsmanship, where func...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Early 1900s Antique Italian Crystal Green Yellow Layered Murano Glass Bottle
Located in New York, NY
An early 1900s Art Deco Venitian bottle in Murano glass by Cristallerie Franchetti, a rare object for the size and the elegant sophisticated work with the...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Seven-Piece Desk Set
Located in Northport, MI
An exceptional seven-piece desk set by Tiffany Studios New York, crafted circa early 20th century in the iconic Pine Needle Pattern. This finely detailed ensemble features warm bronz...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1920 "Soffiati" Vittorio Zecchin MVM Cappellin Venini Rubin Murano Glass Plate
Located in Brescia, IT
"Blown" plate
Vittorio Zecchin
MVM Cappellin
Italy, 1920
Rubin Blown Glass Plate
Very good condiction
Original early 1900s
No chips, no cracks
Category
1920s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
French Art Nouveau Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Nouveau oval shaped bronze inkwell with pine cones and needles design (signed: ALBERT CHEURET)
Category
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany & Co. Art Nouveau Sterling Silver and Engraved Glass Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau sterling silver and clear glass inkwell. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Bellied and lobed clear glass base with short inset foot and carved and engraved stylized flow...
Category
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Max Blondat French Art Nouveau Gilt Bronze Vide-Poche
By Max Blondat
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau gilt bronze vide poche by Max Blondat. Titled "An Embrace". The vide poche features the heads and torsos of a man and a woman, sweeping up from the sides of the dish. Each of the lovers has an arm around the other. Circa 1900. Pictured in: Dynamic Beauty: Sculpture of Art Nouveau Paris, by Macklowe Gallery, The Studley Press, 2011, p. 57.
Signed, "MAX-BLONDAT" Founder mark "Siot...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1925 René Lalique Seal Stamp Dindon Butterscoth Glass, Turkey
By René Lalique
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal Stamp "Dindon" (turkey) made in butterscotch glass by René Lalique in 1925.
Engraved signature on the edge.
Perfect condition
Measure: height: 6 cm
Félix Marcilhac, René Lali...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Pair of Bookens Seal Figure 'Art Deco'
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Seal figure bookens
Signed ((M. Bertin))
bronze and portoro marble
Art Deco, France.
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Art Nouveau Silver & Enamel Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau inkwell. Made by Emile Langlois in Paris, ca 1920. Hemispheric clear glass bowl with garland acid-etched to sides and diaper cut to underside. Neck collar 950 silver as i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Late 19th C Effigy of Mephistopheles on a Bronze Dresser Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th C Effigy of Mephistopheles on a bronze dresser tray. Leaning into the tray with a contemplative pose and conniving expression. Best known for his role in Faust. Caught in h...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Ernest Cambeau Paris 1920 Art Deco Box .950 Sterling Silver with Ceylon Sapphire
By Ernest Combeau
Located in Miami, FL
A hinged box designed by Ernest Cambeau.
A beautiful hinged box, created in Paris France by the silversmith Ernest Cambeau, back in the 1920. This box has been crafted in a cushio...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver
German Art Deco Rally Car Desk Compendium by WMF
Located in Newark, England
From our Collectables category, we are thrilled to offer to the market this rare example Art Deco Rally Car Desk Compendium by WMF (Württembergische Metallwar...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Art Nouveau Loetz Styled Green Iridescent Art Glass Inkwell with Brass Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique art glass inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Art Nouveau style. The body of the inkw...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Art Déco English Bronze Stork Head Papper Clip/Letter Holder with Marble Plinth
Located in North Miami, FL
Art Déco english patinated bronze papper clip/letter holder depicting a stork head with marble plinth
By: unknown
Material: bronze, marble, copper, metal
Technique: cast, patinated,...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Metal, Copper
Art Deco Uplight Brass Metal Table Lamp, French, 1930s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A lovely example of Art Deco that shows great style and imagination is this French table lamp trumpet shape. Cream coloured on the inside and takes a normal bulb, you can use energy ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Bugatti Tank Car Mascot / Hood Ornament / Paperweight. France 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Bugatti Tank Car Mascot / Hood Ornament / Paperweight. France 1930.
Silvered Bronze Sculpture depicting a Bugatti Type 32 ¨Tank¨ Car.
Mounted over an acylic base. Signed CAD.
Lovely ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Crystal Pen Tray – A Luxurious Blend of Crystal and Brass for Your Desk
By DAINTE INC
Located in Monroe, NY
Elevate your workspace with the sleek and stylish Crystal Pen Tray. This modern desk accessory features a sophisticated combination of clear crystal and brass accents, offering a min...
Category
2010s American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Set of Two French Macassar Inkwells
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French Macassar inkwell Art Deco ebony Macassar and crystal glass.
Macassar ebony cover with a crystal reservoir in Cubist Art Deco form.
Made in luxury Macassar wood with original c...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Two 20th Century Art Deco Hermes Paris Desk Set Pieces circa 1930-1935
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Two beautiful and desirable vintage desk pieces by the most famous luxury brand, the crocodile skin still has its original sheen and is in very good condition.
Both pieces have st...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crocodile
Impressive Black Marble Inkwell with Bronze Ducks
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Incredible black marble inkwell that is truly an objet d'arte, having two lyrical bronze ducks with bone beaks, as though perched at the side of a pond and two square ink wells lined in brass. Looks like it could be by the artist, Andre Villien...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Art Déco English Square Shapped Cut Glass/Crystal Inkwell with Brass/Bronze Top
Located in North Miami, FL
Art Déco english square shapped cut crystal inkwell with brass/bronze spherical top
By: unknown
Material: brass, bronze, cut glass, glass, metal, crystal, copper, zinc
Technique: ca...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Zinc
Restored Typewriter, Paillard, Switzerland, 1915
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional
The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age...
Category
1910s Swiss Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Nautical Brass Propeller Pen Holder, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish nautical - maritime pen holder made from an old small boat propel. Everything made from solid brass. Rotating/adjustable holder. European, probably English, made cirka 1950...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
A Very Good & Large Art Deco Sterling Silver Stamp Box, Hallmarked London 1913
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome & substantial early 20th century Art Deco sterling silver stamp box. The case richly decorated overall with striking basket-w...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
French Art Déco Metal Desk Tidy with Woman Horseriding and a pair of Inkwells
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century french Art Déco metal desk tidy with woman horseriding, pen holder and a pair of inkwells
By: uknown
Material: metal, silver plate
Technique: cast, molded, polish...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Silvered Brass and Gilt Encrier with Shepherdess and Monogram, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
This charming encrier, or inkwell, is made from silvered brass and gilt bronze. A central gilded figure holding a shepherd’s crook stands on top of a hexagonal pedestal with supporti...
Category
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Bordeaux Shagreen Leather Desk Set - Luxury Lens and Letter Opener
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Discover the timeless elegance of the burgundy red shagreen leather desk set, a refined combination of modern design and Art Deco details.
This unique set, consisting of a magnifyin...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
"The Kiss, " Romantic, Rare Bronze Inkwell/Pen Tray with Nudes and Aquatic Motif
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare and striking, this large, bronze desk accessory, a combination inkwell and large pen tray, depicts nude male and female figures, shown at the crest of a wave, in the midst of a gentle kiss. This sculpture puts the couple in an aquatic setting, almost as if they are mermaid and merman, with the movement of water and the cresting of waves shown throughout the piece. The sculptor, Otto Strandman...
Category
1920s Swedish Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Theatrical Dancing Figure by Josef Lorenzl, Austria 1920´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Theatrical dancing figure by Josef Lorenzl. Austria 1920´s
Austrian silvered metal figure of theatrical dancer, raised on an marble base.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Art Deco Charging Ram Silvered Bronze Sculpture, Italian 1930´s
By C. Rossi 1
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco Charging Ram Silvered Bronze Sculpture - Italian 1930´s.
Figure signed on the base C. Rossi and Grigio.
Perfect desk paperweight.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Ghiso Paris 1920 Art Deco Cards Case Box In Agate Diamonds And Platinum
Located in Miami, FL
Cards case designed by Ghiso Paris.
Gorgeous piece, created in the art deco style in Paris France by the luxury makers and jewelry house of Ghiso, back in the 1920. It was carved ...
Category
1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Multi-gemstone, Platinum
Art Deco Bronze Sculpture of a African Women with a Child in Arms, France, 1920s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Large Art Deco naked African Women with a child in arms. France, 1920s
Art Deco bronze sculpture of an African Women.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Art Nouveau Bronze "Elegant Lady" by Georges Van der Straeten
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Late 19th century bronze by Belgian sculptor Georges Van der Straeten (1856-1941) depicting a stylish young maiden standing with a hat on her hands. Signed Van der Straeten on base ,...
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Pair Wilhelm Kage, Argenta, Applied Silver Small Footed Stoneware Dishes
By Wilhelm Kage
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Pair of small footed stoneware Argenta dishes by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden.
Decorated with tiny flower sprigs and scalloped banding to rim in applied silver
Circa 1959
Bot...
Category
1950s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Art Deco Letter Opener
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Art Deco letter opener
Bronze material with brown patina
Circa 1928 Origin France
Reason: female figure
Signed and dated LUCIEN BAZOR.
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Card holder dragons, 1900 , Style: Art Nouveau, Liberty, jugendstil
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'View All ...
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
Nile Green Murano Glass Desk Set by Fontana Arte
Located in Cerignola, IT
Wonderful original desk set by Fontana Arte attributed to Pietro Chiesa. Set includes pen holder, paper cutter, paper clip, document holder and an additional jar as a gift.
The entir...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Antique Art Deco Sterling Silver Dartboard Presentation Trophy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, unusual antique George V English sterling silver Art Deco presentation trophy in the form of dartboard; part of our silverware collection.
This exceptional and unusual antique sterling silver trophy has been crafted in the form of a Yorkshire or Kent doubles dartboard*.
The face of the dartboard clearly depicts the appropriately numbered segments and the wirework spider.
This fine George V trophy is supported by an ebonised wood mount and an Art Deco style angular ebonised wooden base.
The base displays six hallmarked vacant presentation plaques; each plaque may be engraved with a personal inscription if so desired.
The posterior surface of the wooden mount is plain.
* This variation of dart board does not incorporate a triple ring, only the double and bullseye.
"By the late 1920s a standardised dartboard was introduced and remains the most popular dartboard today across the world. However, the 'standard' dartboard (also known as the 'London' or 'Clock' board) was not an overnight success in the UK. Initially it had to compete with other different existing target boards played on in some localities. These have come to be known as 'regional dartboards' and were usually named after their region of origin, for example, the Yorkshire Doubles board, Kent Doubles, the London Fives and the Manchester Board" - Patrick Chaplin PhD (Darts Historian)
Condition
This unusual antique trophy...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Figural Ceramic Turkey Bookends in Taupe and Charcoal Grey Luster Glaze
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of Art Deco ceramic bookends are signed, but the maker could not be identified, but presumed to have been made in France in approximately 1935 in the period Art Deco style....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
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.