Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
American Cast Iron Copying Press with Circular Three Spoke Wheel. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American cast iron copying press with a circular three spoke cork screw wheel, flanking scrolled support arms, pressure plate, and resting on the original r...
Category
1820s American American Empire Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Fountain Pen with Papers & Boxes
By Montblanc
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This fountain pen was made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. This fountain pen is their 'Meisterstuck' model and has...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Stainless Steel
Polished White Jewel Box in Bird's-Eye Maple with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Shiny white bird's-eye maple shiny jewel box with 24-karat pink gold hardware. Necklace on the top and removable tray.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Murano Blue Octopus Swimming Fish Italian Art Glass Aquarium Block Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Italian art glass double fish and octopus aquarium block sculpture. Created in the manner of the Cenedese and A.Ve.M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Snow Globe Black White Chanel Number 5
By Chanel
Located in Munich, DE
Rare limited edition of a Chanel Snow Ball with white bags on a white base, which are only for VIP Customers in excellent condition and with the original bo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic
Scotty Dog Black Forest Wood Carved Inkwell German Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1930s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Scotty Dog. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Th...
Category
1930s German Black Forest Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian 1898 Sterling Silver Gallery Inkstand by John Grinsell & Sons
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver fox inkstand; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian silver inkstand / desk standish, has a rectangular form.
This inkstand is fitted with a gallery, embellished with impressive pierced and applied scrolling foliate ornamentation.
The shaped, incurved rims of the body and anterior rim of the sterling silver inkstand are ornamented with a paralleling applied gadroon decorated border.
The surface of the fox silver inkstand incorporates a concave oval pen receiver.
The body of the inkstand incorporates two ink bottle receivers flanking a rectangular stamp box.
The impressive hallmarked ink bottles each have a tapering cylindrical form and are embellished with further pierced scrolling foliate ornamentation; these ink bottles secure to the stand with a screw fitment to the underside.
Each ink bottle is fitted with a plain domed hinged cover and opens to allow access to the original glass liner.
The central sterling silver stamp box...
Category
1890s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Clear Lucite Fan Shaped Card Holder by Guzzini 1980s Made in Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage clear lucite or acrylic post modern fan shaped card holder, sorter or separator made in Italy in the 1980s by Guzzini. Marked "Guzzini Made in Italy" this originally was sold...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Murano Blue Green Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown sky blue with green spots Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool paperweight. Created for the Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto company, by...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass
Gucci Brown Leather Desk Letter Opener with Gilded Equestrian Motif, circa 1970
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gucci designed this luxury modernist leather desktop accessory. The rare piece was crafted in Italy circa 1970. The letter opener is made of cocoa brown fine calf leather and is ador...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Remini Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Remini Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
"Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta turquoise blue ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi.
Designed in a great glazed...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stoneware
18th Century Moorish-Ottoman Iznik Style Crescent Moon Architectural Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th Century Moorish-Ottoman Iznik Style Crescent Moon Architectural Inkwell, Signed with Unidentified Cypher Mark
This exquisite 18th-century Moorish-Ottoman architectural inkwell ...
Category
18th Century Dutch Islamic Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Cartier Paris 1920 Art Deco Chinoiserie 18kt Desk Clock in Nephrite Jade Enamel
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Cartier.
An impressive and beautiful desk clock, created in Paris France by the house of Cartier, during the art deco period, back in the 1920. This stunning rare piece has been designed with Chinoiserie patterns and carefully crafted up with parts in yellow gold of 18 karats and carved nephrite green jadeite jade. Accented with applications of navy blue enamel and fitted on top, with a hinged retractable handle.
The movement is mechanical It is accompanied with the associated original key for the winding. The dial is silver with guilloche, Roman numerals with gold hands and inscribed, Cartier.
Weight: 320.95 Grams, (205.74 Dwt).
Measurements: 69 mm by 31 mm by 78 mm (2.72 x 1.22 x 3.07 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, five times with the head of the eagle for the assay and guaranty of the gold, two times with the maker's mark JM inside of a lozange cartouche and signed on the reverse, "CARTIER 1649".
Literature: Olivier Bachet & Alain Cartier, Cartier Exceptional...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Jade, Gold, Silver, Enamel
Art Deco Odeon Chrome Free Standing Picture Frame, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Superbly stylish 1930s Art Deco chrome picture frame. A very desirable odeon/ skyscraper design and a great Size for modern day use. A photograph can be displayed both sides ( the ph...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
English Purple Amethyst Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and substantial English 'star' optic purple amethyst and clear crystal paperweight or decorative object, from acclaimed crystal house, Webb Corbett, circa mid to late-20th century, England. This multi-faceted paperweight has a purple/amethyst layer...
Category
Late 20th Century English Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper Brionvega TS52 Radio
Located in Sharon, CT
Important Radio by Sapper and Zanuso in gorgeous red.
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Ernemann ROLF II Folding 127 Rollfilm Camera With 75mm F12 Rapid Rectilinear
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Ernemann ROLF II Folding 127 Rollfilm Camera 75mm F12 Rapid Rectilinear Fixed Lens of Dresden, Germany
Manufactured by Ernemann between 1924-1926.
Folded dimensions: 67 mm x 125 mm...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm
Materials: Bronze
The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used toget...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Ballpoint Pen Modern Contemporary Style Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Ballpoint Pen cylindrical for large Desk.
Ballpoint Pen in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24carats.
Ballpoint Pen with translucent fired enamels on guilloché Modern Contemporar...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Burl Stamp Box
Located in New York, NY
A burl wood stamp box with brass hinge, circa early to mid-20th century. Very good condition as shown in images and video. Dimensions: 2.63" Depth x 3.38" Width.
Category
Early 20th Century European Desk Accessories
Materials
Burl
Petite Jack / Jax Bookend Made Metal
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this sculptural Jack made in metal.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Movado1948 Calendermeto Triple Date & Moonphase Travel Purse Clock With Leather
Located in Miami, FL
Rare calendermeto travel clock designed by Movado.
Beautiful and very rare calendermeto travel purse clock, created in Switzerland by the Movado Clock Factories, back in the 1948-1954. Crafted in stainless steel and leather with the purpose to use in desks, travels, in the pocket or a purse. Patented Ermeto winding device by means of the sliding case, with all original parts.
The Movado Ermeto watch...
Category
1940s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Onyx Agate Jewelry Dish Organic Modern
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful blue grey agate onyx vessel, Organic Modern, circa 20th century. Piece can work as a small jewelry dish, a standalone decorative piece, ...
Category
20th Century Organic Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Onyx
Orientalist Silver and Gold Gilt Bronze 19th Century Box
Located in Rochester, NY
Orientalist silver and gold gilt bronze box. Continental. 19th century. Original key and velvet lining.
Category
19th Century European Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Emerald Green and Blue Murano Art Glass Elephant Sculpture Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian style handblown art glass sculpture of an elephant.
Italian art glass hand blown green and uranium neon green elephant sculpture...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
Cartier Paris 1935 Rare Art Deco Geometric Desk Clock in Black Onyx and Agate
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Cartier.
A beautiful and sober desk clock, created in Paris France by the the house of Cartier during the late art deco period, back in the early 1935. This desk clock is very rare and has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from several polished pieces carved from natural black onyx and reddish translucent agate. All parts mounted in gilded bronze and sterling silver settings of .935/.999.
Movement: Swiss mechanical wingding Imhof movement, Caliber 244, Fifteen Jewels, 8 days, Serial 2449074. The dial is octagonal with a unique painted scene depicting an ancient Greek ship...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Onyx, Sterling Silver, Bronze
Green Fractal Resin Decorative Cube
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Decorative cube made of green fractal resin
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
1980s Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "Gutemberg", Memphis Style
Located in Milano, IT
1980s (1989) Gorgeous Swatch twin phone "Gutemberg" in excellent condition. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon for its amazing design....
Category
1980s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Hermès, Scissors Equestrian Horse Head in Silver Plate, 1960's-1970's Paris
Located in Lausanne, CH
An elegant pair of scissors designed and retailed by Hermès, manufactured by silversmiths Ravinet d'Enfert, Paris France.
The handles are silverplate and the blades are in stainless ...
Category
1970s French Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Nine-Piece Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Nouveau period "Pine Needle" gilt bronze and Favrile slag glass desk set. The nine-piece set includes: inkwell, pen brush, letter rack, pen tr...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Exceptional Quality Egyptian Revival Puma Raised Bi-Metal Desk Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional quality Art Nouveau Egyptian revival Continental brass and copper desk stand raised on four puma feet and dating from the early 20th Century. Probably French the heavi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Copper
Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. , manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Onyx Catchall
Located in New York, NY
A substantial green and brown onyx marble catchall, circa mid-20th century. Use to hold pens, jewelry, etc., on a desk, vanity, nightstand, walk-in-closet, etc. Dimensions: 2.63" Hei...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Collection Gilt Leather Bound Library Book Set / Eighteen
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Collection of gilt leather bound library book set of eighteen. Army Life In A Black Regiment By Thomas Went Wentworth Higginson "Collector's Library ...
Category
1980s Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper, Leather
Vintage Set of 8 Bakelite Handles Germany, 1960
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Set of 8 Bakelite Handles Germany, 1960
Additional information:
Dimensions: 2.5 W x 2.5 D x 2.5 H cm
Period of Time: 1960
Country of origin: Germany
Condition: In very goo...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Antique Century Traditional Sewing machine Vibrating, circa 1950
Located in Roma, IT
Antique sewing machine Vesta Handcrank vibrating shuttle
Serial Number: 2655227
Made in Germany
Ideal for sewing most materials such as denim, canvas, silk, calico and the like,
Could be used as was intended for sewing or recycled as a small office ornament...
Category
1950s European Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Max Le Verrier Bronze Key Holder Vide Poche, Capricorn Zodiac
Located in Miami, FL
Bronze by Max Le Verrier that makes a great key holder/vide-poche.
The symbols are absolutely beautiful, they represent the Capricorn zodiac sign of those born December 22-January 2...
Category
20th Century French Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Fancy Antique Swedish Telephone Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Fancy brass , black lacquer with gilded decoration. A work of art. Swedish Coat of arms on dial. . Circa 1910. Working condition. Made by L.M. Ericsson, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Art Nouveau Figural Double Sided Hotel Front Desk Call Bell
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Art Nouveau Young Boy Figural Double Sided Hotel Front Desk Call Bell
Marked Dep.
Category
1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Hubbly Setter Dod Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of iron hand painted 1930s Hubbley setter bookends. Wonderful patina and color to the pair. Each bookend has honest wear consistent of age and use. Sold as as pair.
Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
Magnifying Glass
Located in New York, NY
A magnifying glass in brass with a turned rich wood handle, circa late-20th century. A great piece for a desk, office, library, etc. Very good condition ...
Category
Late 20th Century English Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design, circa 1960s
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware small rectangular jewelry dish with Neoclassical design, 1961, England. Piece is a matte stoneware in a light green with a white Neoclassical raised relief at center and leaf design around edge. Great as a standalone piece or for a vanity, dresser, desk, etc., to hold jewelry or other small items. With maker's mark "Wedgwood", "Made in England", "61", on bottom as shown in last two images.
Dimensions: 3.19" Depth x 6" Width.
Lavender Jasperware urn...
Category
20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Stoneware, Pottery
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Letter Opener
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze Neoclassical or Adam style letter opener
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Etched Crystal Baby Seal Sculpture by Mats Jonasson Sweden
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Baby seal etched crystal sculpture by Mats Jonasson Sweden.
This crystal art glass sculpture is a work of art with its hand made, hand etched exquisite det...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Organic Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Contemporary 'Sail' Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Big Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Collection of decorative objects signed by Ghirò Studio (Milan).
The natural crystal has high transparencies with aquamarine reflections, it has been curved and handmade to repr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade Pink Flamingo Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Vintage Mr. Peanuts Dispenser, USA, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Mr. Peanuts Dispenser is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century.
This vintage object was realized by Tarco Company and it was used as a real peanut...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Curzio Desk Set
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
Exquisitely distinguished by a clean and essential design, this desk set will infuse subtle sophistication in any home office or study. Composed of a ruler, t...
Category
2010s Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Alabaster Bookends Polycrhome in Form of Medieval Library .Monk, Very Original
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Last days!!!!
I accept reasonable offers on my entire catalog (small and medium-sized items only)
Alabaster and marble bookends in the shape of monks sitting on a throne reading a b...
Category
20th Century Italian Medieval Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
The No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie is a folding camera made by Kodak in Rochester, NY, USA, from c. 1909. It has...
Category
Early 20th Century American American Classical Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Glass
Leather Tray, Medium A Rectangular Tray - Handmade - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays
For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Vintage 1950s Persian Khatam Pen and Letter Desk Set
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Three piece desk set
The mosaic design work is gorgeous, using various color woods and other natural materials.
This wooden desk set pen h...
Category
1950s Iraqi Islamic Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Japanese "TomoKazu" Inlaid Marquetry Chess of Checkers board, Japan, circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Post-Modern Japanese chessboard or checkerboard. Rendered in an intricate inlay marquetry of walnut, burl, birch, and maple. By Tomokazu, Japan, circa 1980s.
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Burl, Walnut, Maple, Birch
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Zodiac Bookends, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period "Zodiac" pattern bronze bookends
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, early 20th century
Each measures: ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Period French Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Japanese Lacquer Chinoiserie Inkwell Tray
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce nearly 300 year old Louis XV (1715-1774) period French gilt bronze ormolu mounted Japanned encrier (inkwell or inkstand)
Paris, France, circa 1750, exceptionally executed in Louis 14th exotic far-east Japanesque / Chinoiserie oriental styling, popular at the time due to the rise in trade with China and Japan throughout the 18th century, Parisian Vernis Martin lacquer work, decorated with lavish Rocaille elements, having three inkwells fitted with glass jar inserts and ornate fiolated acorn finial covers, on a black lacquer cartouche shaped tray with roster...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Tiffany Studios Zodiac 6-Piece Bronze Doré Desk Set
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This lovely 6-piece bronze doré desk set was made by Tiffany Studios of New York. The early 20th-century set has a warm golden finish with its original patina and has been made in Tiffany's popular Zodiac motif featuring stylized depictions of the 12 signs of the Zodiac set in ovoid cartouches. The Zodiac signs are set amongst intricate Celtic-style knots.
The desk set is comprised of a 2-row letter rack, a pair of desk blotter ends, a pen tray, a letter opener, and a large inkwell fitted with a hinged lid. The inkwell comes complete with its original clear glass ink reservoir. This particular selection of pieces is quite practical and represents an ideal manner in which to start a collection of Tiffany Zodiac desk set...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Rolex Dealer's Quote Pad, Swiss, Leather Bound, Notebook Slip, Late 20th
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Rolex dealer's quote pad. A Swiss, leather bound notebook slip, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980.
Wonderfully tact...
Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Vintage Hand Crafted Onyx Cylindric Decorative Vase, Italy 1970's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Tall hand-crafted cylindric decorative vase in Onyx.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
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.